I have read some crazy things about shampoo and conditioner, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, if you are using HEAT, COLOR or CHEMICALS on your HAIR, chances are the old grandma remedy of vinegar and moon water (while dancing around in circles, of course) is not going to help the condition of your hair. I know….Cruel world huh?
While I’d love to join the revolution of at home made shampoos and great “DIY” ways to clean your hair, the truth is shampoo and conditioner have been a good “go-to” combo for ages for a reason. Well actually, a lot of reasons!
Here are a few to consider….
Shampoo has the ability to regulate or alter the PH of your hair:
Ever wonder why your hair is frizzy, dull or unmanageable? Believe it or not, a lot has to do with the kind of shampoo you are using. Home made products can only do so much. While I believe great scrubs and skin care can be made at home; when it comes to shampoo, it’s like making your own hair medication. Almost no one knows the PH of their hair or how to balance it correctly on their own. To have your hair look shiny and perfect, you need the correct PH level. It is very hard to find this balance in DIY products.
Professional Care Shampoos:
Your hairdresser knows best! Most of the shampoo + conditioner combos are called “SYSTEMS” in the professional world because of the work they do TOGETHER. For example, while a color protectant shampoo can have less sulfates to keep color deposit in place, the ph will still be raised. Its just how shampoo works. The cleansing agents in a shampoo are meant to clean and slightly open the cuticle of your hair.
Guess what happens when you don't use a conditioner? Or end up using your boyfriends conditioner? Your hair cuticle is all rough and crazy, untamable hair and you end up with uncontrolled frizz galore! This is why conditioner is important. When you use the combo from the same brand you will have the ultimate result because they are tested for the shampoo to raise PH level to let's say a 7 and the conditioner to bring it back to a normal PH level of 5.
When buying shampoo at the drug store, most of this shampoos are made with cheaper ingredients giving the bare minimum nutrition to your hair. That is why a bottle only costs around $4. When you buy a high performance shampoo, your stylist most likely is making an educated recommendation as to why it would benefit you. This is important because your stylist knows your hair story and what your hair needs.
Store Bought Shampoos:
When buying a shampoo that is "affordable”, please understand that you have no idea what you are using on your hair, skin, eyes, body everywhere that shampoo falls. A lot of the "NO SHAMPOO" rants I have read are all about the terrible chemicals that cause cancer, etc. That might or might not be true, and that is because there is so much on the label that we don't understand. The truth is, the guy that stocks shampoos at the convenience store has no idea either.
There are plenty of ingredients that are masked to look beneficial like “Panthenol" or “Keratin" that come in store bought shampoos. All they really cost you in the end is a trip to the salon for an intense scalp treatment and deep conditioner with your professional. There is so much wax and ingredient that can build up, you can actually damage your hair if you over use them.
This is just surface talk about shampoo, but in a nutshell, if you don't know…please ask a professional. They know best! Don't go into a crazy frenzy without being informed. Keep in mind, there are great brands of professional hair care that carry organic and environmentally friendly products. No matter what your hair type is, we are happy to help find the best one for you!
Be sure to Stalk Hair by Cynthia Valdez to keep up on all her hair art! And watch out for more of her upcoming articles!
