Shampoos are designed to cleanse the hair and scalp, removing dirt and grime without stripping away too much of the natural sebum. But sometimes they are major irritants to the scalp, creating havoc with your tresses!
Shampoo your hair the right way
Shampoos, as a rule contain cleansing agents, perfume, preservatives and conditioning agents that can coat the hair shaft to make the hair appear thicker. In actuality, shampoos, especially those that do not include a conditioner, are specifically meant for the cleansing process. They do not have much of a role to play other than cleaning the grime from your head! The conditioner, added to your shampoo does the softening bit. Conditioning agents smoothen the cuticle scales so the hair doesn't tangle and help to eliminate static electricity from the hair when it dries.
Here are some tips to inculcate to make the best of your shampoo:
Always use the correct shampoo for your hair type. You might have to experiment to finds in your hair type and consequently your shampoo, but it really is worth the effort!
Don't wash your hair in washing-up liquid or soap. These are highly alkaline and will upset your hairs natural pH balance by stripping out the natural oils.
Always read the instructions before purchasing your shampoo. Don’t blindly go in for brands. Some shampoos need to be left on the scalp for a few minutes before rinsing. This is especially the case with medicated shampoos.
Buy small sachets of shampoo to test which brand is most suitable for you. If it doesn’t suit your hair type, there hasn’t been any major loss either.
Always wash your brush and comb when you shampoo your hair. Combs and brushes lying on your dressing table tends to accumulate dust so even if you wash your hair frequently, it would not really affect the condition of your hair; it will still remain dirty. A good idea to wash combs is while you are waiting for the conditioner to seep in, after you have shampooed your hair. That way you make the most of the time available. This could also include washing hair bands and rubber bands, in case you have oiled your hair and left them overnight.
Don't throw away a shampoo that doesn't lather. The amount of suds are determined by the active level of detergent, as well as by the hardness of the water in your area. Besides you could use that shampoo for cleaning other things, for example expensive crystal, or even your expensive T-shirts, since it’s a shampoo, the alkalinity will be minimum, leaving the cloth fragrant too!
Many shampoos are labeled "pH balanced", and this means they have the same acidity level as your hair. Use a shampoo of this type if you have coloured hair.
Use lukewarm water, as hot water can be uncomfortable on the scalp.
Don’t rely on advertisements that promote a certain product extensively. Instead try it on your hair and then take a decision. Its best to use a product that’s formulated for your particular hair type.
Shampoo your hair the right way
