This is good stuff for guys and girls.I'm a dude and I live with 5 other dudes not too unlike myself. You can imagine what our bathrooms look like. Without going into too much detail and to avoid some scary visuals, suffice it to say, you would find 6 or more different types of shampoos and conditioners. That's fine and dandy, but honestly most of the products chosen by my peers didn't really seem appropriate based on their hair types and the effect created by the chosen product.
Not like it's really a big deal, but I think a lot of people are spending money on products that aren't doing much to contribute to their style or might actually be working against them. While I don't doubt there are plenty of guys that know their hair product and even more women who do, it has become apparent to me that a basic break-down of product terminology may be useful in choosing the right type of product for yourself and perhaps saving you some money!
Anti-Dandruff: Dandruff can be an irritating and frustrating condition. It can cause discomfort as well as embarrassment in severe cases. Fortunately, there are many affordable options for treatment. MORE fortunately, these treatments are NOT necessary MOST of the time. I have found that in the vast majority of cases, people that may think they have dandruff are actually experiencing itching and flaking of the scalp because of simple lack of moisture.
If dryness is the culprit and NOT dandruff, you are probably making your itch and flaking worse by using some of the intense and medicated treatments available over the counter. As things get worse you may be opting for more and more aggressive treatments with leave your hair and scalp more and more dry and sensitized. You may be pleasantly surprised by how easily you can remedy your discomfort with a simple moisturizing/hydrating shampoo and conditioner. It is also possible that you may be shampooing a bit too aggressively or too frequently. Consider shampooing 2-3 times per week but conditioning each time you shower.
Dandruff happens and can be treated fairly easily. BUT, it should be diagnosed by a professional.
Strengthening: Any normal person that gives a hoot about their hair is going to walk down the drugstore aisle and see a strengthening or protein shampoo and think: 'I'd like stronger and healthier hair.' Anyone would. BUT, not everybody needs protein. If you have long, weak, dull, color-treated, bleached or regular hair, you probably have an interest improving the condition of your hair. Who wouldn't want stronger and smoother hair with shine and softness? Trust me, Protein is NOT always the answer.
Believe it or not, it's not difficult to give your hair too much protein. If you do, you will find that your hair becomes pretty dry and brittle. Unless you have very processed hair or have been directed by your personal hairdresser, you probably just lack moisture and have environmentally damaged hair. If you have coarse and unruly hair, protein will not help you to gain control.
Shine, softness, smoothness and control will come from hair that is appropriately hydrated, nourished and protected. For medium to coarse unruly hair, you might really enjoy using an oil treatment of some type. If you have fine to medium blond or light brown hair, you would probably like very light, cream-based conditioning products.
Even if you DO need protein and have been directed by your stylist to use a protein product, you should only use it as often as you have been told. Usually strengthening treatments only need to be used once a week or even less. If all else fails, READ THE LABEL.
Clarifying: Honestly, I'm not sure why there are so many 'daily clarifying' shampoos in drugstores. Clarifying is important to maintaining manageable, dense and healthy hair. It's useful to remove product and environmental build-up from the hair from time to time. In order to maintain your density of hair, it's important to properly cleanse the scalp and follicles where the hair grows. BUT, clarifying is not something that most people should ever do 'daily.'
Clarifying shampoos often use harsh detergents and sulfates to provide a deep-clean. This is fine, and hairdressers often need to use such products before color services and other hair treatments to obtain a consistent and predictable result. If used too frequently, clarifying products will leave the hair and scalp without the natural oils and moisture that give hair and scalp their strength and protection.
Of course, clarifiers are NOT recommended for Color-treated hair. Clarifying shampoos are often very Alkaline and will swell/open the hair cuticle in order to cleanse. This can dull shine and color if used too much. If you have oily hair and scalp, you may increase oil production by stripping the scalp of it's natural balance. It may be useful to have a clarifier around, but you'd probably only need it now and then.
Volumizing: Apparently volumizing is not a word recognized by my word processor, but it means adding body, size and fullness to hair and hair styles. 80% of my female clients would love to turn up the volume to 11. In many ways, 'volume' is one of a few Holy Grails of hair that make a stylist good money and happy clients. If you have medium to coarse hair or very curly hair, you may like some volume to you style, but you probably don't need to get too crazy with volume products in general.
In order to create thickness and fullness to otherwise limp and lifeless hair, volumizing products rely on alkaline chemistry to swell and plump each individual hair strand. Acidic products on the other hand, tend to slim and detangle hair. So, as you can imagine, volume products are best suited to fine-medium hair that is flat and limp. Keep in mind that since volume products swell the cuticle, practice caution when using on color treated hair. You may also want to add some type of shine product to smooth and condition the swollen strands.
Smoothing or Slimming: For the most part, smoothing or slimming products are a bit heavier, creamier and/or rich than other products. They can often be a bit too much for fine and/or blond hair if used too generously. You will find that most smoothing products use lipids and silicone-based ingredients to provide weight, shine, condition and smoothness to coarse, dense and unruly hair. An added plus to many slimming products, is that because of their oily nature or silicone ingredients, they may decrease dry-time by up to 30% making hair easier to maintain. One thing to look out for: some of these rich products may lead to skin break-outs around the hair-line and on the forehead.
In general, these products are great for darker hair that is wavy-extra curly and needs some control and softness.
Conclusion: Like anything else, it will be a lot easier and more convenient for you to consult a professional Hairdresser to help you understand what kind of product will help you the most and how you can best spend your money on stuff that suits your individual needs. That is what good hairdressers are for. Excellent Hairdressers can be consulted as your personal hair and style physicians and will have the knowledge and experience to get you set up with the right product the first time. In the long-run, this will save you a lot of time and money. Develop a relationship with a stylist you trust they'll be happy to keep you and your hair healthy and happy.
Of course, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have and would love to have you in to the salon! Gimme a ring!
www.AbsintheHairParlour.com
No comments:
Post a Comment