What’s the Best Shampoo for Different Hair Types?
Written by Dr. Griffin
Washing your hair regularly is important for removing impurities and dead skin cells—not to mention it’s essential for scalp health. A healthy scalp equals healthy hair. However, if you aren’t cleaning your hair properly, it could be causing dry, brittle strands along with an irritated scalp. Since there are so many different products available on shelves, choosing the right kind of shampoo may seem to be an intimidating process. It doesn’t have to be! Follow these tips from our specialists in hair anatomy at our Philadelphia-based practice to make selecting the ideal shampoo for your hair type a less confusing endeavor.
Determine Your Scalp Type
Start by getting to know more about your scalp. Knowing your scalp type is just as important as knowing what hair type you have when finding a shampoo. In fact, shampoo is designed mostly for the scalp and roots. If your scalp feels tight and itchy or is flaky before and after shampooing, you probably have a dry scalp, whereas an oily scalp will be greasier. A combination scalp will be balanced and only become oily several days after it is washed.
Consider Your Hair Type
You also need to think about your hair type—whether fine, thick, straight, wavy, curly, damaged, brittle, or colored—when finding a shampoo. For example, hair that has weakened over time or is over-processed will need a strengthening or fortifying shampoo that contains extra protein.
Read Labels
If you have an oily scalp, avoid shampoos that are good for hydrating, moisturizing, smoothing, or curly hair because your scalp doesn’t need the added moisture. Instead, go for products that claim to be volumizing, strengthening, clarifying, or balancing, as they help to remove the buildup of oil that clogs hair follicles. If you have a dry and irritated scalp and perhaps fried hair that breaks easily, you need shampoos with moisturizing and nourishing formulas, containing ingredients like menthol and tea tree. Avoiding using sulfates on a dry scalp, as they could strip away too much moisture.
Learn everything you need to know about hair anatomy at Griffin Hair Restoration Center of Philadelphia. Contact us by calling (215) 561-9100, or submit a contact form to request a consultation if you would like to find out more about hair transplants and non-surgical solutions for hair loss.