HAIR SHAMPOO 101: TYPES OF SHAMPOO

Every natural hair enthusiast knows that one-size-fits-all isn’t the standard when it comes to hair care routines. For this reason, most of us have personalised our hair care routines. Most of us don’t put the level of care we put into other portions of our hair care routines into our shampoo selection. We simply go to the supermarket and get any shampoo off the shelf.

This should not be. Your shampoo should be very carefully chosen based on your hair goals. Before choosing a hair shampoo, you need to know what it does, how it relates to your hair and scalp type, and how to use it.

*This topic is covered in-deathly in our Afro Curly Hair Courses

What is shampoo?

By definition, shampoo is a hair care product used for cleaning hair. While the occasional solid bar format is available, it is usually in the form of a viscous liquid. To use shampoo; first wet your hair, apply the shampoo to the wet hair, massage it into the scalp, and then rinse it out.

From the definition above, it is very easy to think that shampoo is only a hair-cleansing formula. However, it is not just a hair-cleansing formula but a scalp cleanser as well, ridding the scalp of product buildup, oil and dirt.

Types of shampoo

Regular shampoo

This is the “plain vanilla” of shampoos, designed for people with no specific hair needs. They are usually formulated with simple ingredients and are gentle cleansers that reduce sebum production without stripping the scalp of its natural oils.

Everyday shampoo

Regular shampoo is usually used by people with normal or slightly dry hair. Everyday shampoo is better for people who have oilier hair because individuals with greasier hair need to shampoo more often. Everyday shampoos, which contain fewer surfactants than regular shampoos, and are much milder, are a better option. Everyday shampoos are also alkaline and soap-free, which makes its everyday use sustainable. So, if you need to shampoo daily, an everyday shampoo might be best.

Moisturising shampoo

For people suffering from weak or dry hair due to a lack of moisture in the scalp, a moisturising shampoo is the go-to for results. Moisturising shampoos help to reintroduce moisture to the scalp, resulting in less brittle and less dry hair. Moisturising shampoos also strengthen hair, making it look shinier.

Clarifying shampoo

For people who use a lot of styling products regularly, using a clarifying shampoo every once in a while is a must. A clarifying shampoo deep cleans and clears out build-up in the hair and scalp. But a clarifying shampoo must be used sparingly (once a week at the max), as it can make hair dry and frizzy, and its use must be followed with a conditioner.

Anti-breakage shampoo

Anti-breakage shampoos help to restore hair’s pH balance, and are great for repairing damaged hair. It is also a great option for long hair. An anti-breakage shampoo is designed to cleanse the hair gently while creating a glossy shine.

Purifying shampoo

This is one of the few shampoos that target the scalp instead of the hair itself. It has cleansing, soothing, and antimicrobial benefits, and is especially great for dandruff-prone hair.

Volumising shampoo

Got fine, thin hair? And want some volume? Good for you; that’s what volumising shampoos are for. They are created from lighter formulas and are particularly formulated to give volume to fine, thin hair. This kind of shampoo opens the hair cuticle, does not weigh the hair down, and encourages growth. Some volumising shampoos are infused with keratin protein as an active ingredient, which helps strengthen the hair from the roots to the ends.

Colour-treated hair shampoo

Colour-treated hair needs special care. If you have colour-treated hair, you probably have to deal with fading colour, a lack of moisture and dryness. A colour-treated hair shampoo will help to reintroduce moisture without stripping your hair of its colour, the way other kinds of shampoo do.

What’s next?

Which type of shampoo is the best for you?

The easiest way to figure out the shampoo you should use is by examining your scalp.

Dry scalp

If you have a dry scalp, avoid shampoos formulated with sulfates, which dry out the hair and scalp. To retain moisture, avoid strengthening, fortifying, and volumising shampoos.

The best kinds of shampoo for people with dry scalps are moisturising, and hydrating shampoos. Moisturising shampoos are perfect for adding shine, moisture, and smoothness to hair.

Oily scalp

If you have an oily scalp, you should go for shampoos that volumise, strengthen, or balance. These are non-moisturising and are great for removing excess oil. Avoid hydrating, moisturising, or smoothing shampoos because they add too much moisture to an already oily scalp.

You should also use a clarifying shampoo once a week. But do not overuse it because it has a tendency to dry out your scalp.

When shampooing, ensure you spend extra time massaging the shampoo into your scalp to break up the oil. Follow with a thorough rinse. And then apply a conditioner. When applying the conditioner, concentrate on the mid-shaft and ends of your hair and not on your scalp.

Specific hair/scalp needs

Whether you have dry scalp, oily scalp, or middle-of-the-road kind of scalp, there will be times when you will need a particular kind of shampoo to address a specific hair/scalp need.

If hair is fine or limp and needs an extra boost, volumising shampoos are perfect. They will do a great job of adding volume without weighing the hair down.

If your hair is weakened, damaged, over-processed, or brittle, anti-breakage shampoos are a good option.

Intentionality is key

To achieve and maintain healthy hair, intentionality is key when choosing all kinds of hair products – shampoos included. Feel free to follow these guidelines on your next trip to the supermarket and register for our courses for more in-depth information on afro Afro Curly Hair.

So stay beautiful. Stay healthy.