Shampoo is a basic product in the hair and scalp care system, but its choice is often made spontaneously, for example, based on marketing promises, visual characteristics of the packaging or subjective reviews. Meanwhile, incorrectly selected care may not only fail to solve existing problems, but also aggravate them. But which shampoo to choose? Let's try to figure it out in more detail. We will tell you what characteristics a hair shampoo should meet, how to choose such a basic care product and what details you need to pay attention to.
The purpose of shampoo: cleansing, not restoration
The main function of shampoo is to remove dirt from the scalp, sebum, dead skin cells, environmental particles and residues of styling products. Cosmetic ingredients that can participate in hair restoration (for example, ceramides, amino acids, proteins) play a secondary role when used in shampoo. Therefore, if you are thinking about how to choose a shampoo for your hair, the main criterion for choosing should be the type of scalp, and not the structure or length of the strands. Of course, the beneficial components that are part of the detergent are important for the health of your curls. But the effect on the scalp still comes to the fore.
Determining scalp type
So, the answer to the question of how to choose the right hair shampoo begins with determining the scalp type. It can be:
- Normal. Does not require specific intervention, is not prone to excessive oiliness, flaking or irritation.
- Oily. Characterized by increased sebum secretion, rapid loss of freshness after washing. Oily skin is at risk of seborrhea.
- Dry. Prone to flaking, itching, sometimes to micro-inflammation. Dry scalp is often associated with an aggressive climate or inadequate care.
- Sensitive. May react with irritation, redness or burning to the components of cosmetics.
So, when thinking about which shampoo is best for my hair type, pay better attention to the needs of the scalp. For example, for oily hair with increased activity of the sebaceous glands, products with sebum-regulating components (zinc, nettle extract, clay, niacinamide) are preferable, while for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic formulas without aggressive surfactants and fragrances are necessary. For dandruff, you need to choose special products with antifungal components, and for hair loss - with components for growth, which activate blood circulation and the functions of hair follicles.
Composition Analysis: What's Important to Know
The effectiveness and safety of a shampoo are largely determined by the surfactants (SAS) that provide cleansing. Classification of SAS by mildness:
- Aggressive SAS. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. They have a high cleaning ability, but can cause irritation, especially with prolonged use.
- Mild SAS. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Decyl Glucoside, etc. Provide a more delicate cleansing, are suitable for frequent use and for sensitive skin.
When thinking about how to choose the right shampoo, you should also pay attention to the pH of the product. The optimal range is from 4.5 to 5.5. This corresponds to the physiological pH level of the scalp and minimizes the risk of disruption of the lipid barrier.
Additional components in the composition (extracts, oils, silicones, proteins) can perform auxiliary functions - moisturizing, conditioning, antioxidant support, but their effectiveness in shampoo is limited due to short-term contact with the skin and hair.
Hair condition accounting
Although the choice of shampoo is focused on the scalp, the structure and current condition of the hair also require attention, especially if the following factors are present:
- Colored strands. For colored hair, it is worth using shampoos with an acidic pH and color protection, without aggressive surfactants. For blondes, products with a blue pigment are recommended, which help to avoid the appearance of yellowness.
- Damaged, dry, weakened hair. They require gentle cleansing. Shampoos with proteins and amino acids (for example, keratin shampoos), glycerin, panthenol are suitable. Also, products with plant extracts, such as aloe, are recommended for dry hair.
- Curly hair. Needs increased hydration. Mild surfactants and the absence of sulfates are desirable. Experts also recommend choosing products without silicones, although they give a smooth effect, they can accumulate in the hair structure.
- Thin hair. Here you should avoid weighting components such as oils and silicones in high concentrations. For fine hair, it is better to choose products that will add volume to the hair.
Frequency of use and combination approach
One of the most common mistakes is the desire to use one universal shampoo for all cases. However, in practice, alternating several products is often justified:
- Basic shampoo for regular use. This is a soft, physiological product that does not overload the skin.
- Deep cleansing shampoo (detox). It is used once every 7-10 days when styling products accumulate or there is severe pollution. Owners of oily scalp cannot do without it.
It is also worth considering seasonal and hormonal changes that can affect the condition of the scalp. Moisturizing products may be needed for winter, and sebum-regulating products for summer.
To choose the best shampoo, you can contact a professional - a trichologist. He will tell you which good hair shampoo is right for you. Modern experts recommend giving preference to professional products that meet international quality standards and can provide really good care. But which professional shampoo is better depends primarily on the needs of the hair. And you can buy really good products in the Brazil Prof online store – it offers different types of shampoos for solving various dermatological problems, as well as other products for home care.
