Most of us wash our hair without really thinking about it too much and without considering whether we are using the right shampoo. Like most things though, there is a right and a wrong way to wash your hair, and, certain factors you should take into account:
How often should I wash my hair?
Most experts agree that it's safe to wash your hair daily with a mild shampoo, but, whether this is really necessary rather depends on what type of hair you have (fine, coarse or curly), and what kind of scalp (oily or dry). If your hair is fine, or your scalp dry, then washing every day may be too much for your hair, tending to dry it out too much and making it more fragile and brittle. Normal hair can be washed daily, but five times per week is probably more than adequate. If you have oily hair then you may wish to wash it every day, or, you can skip a day and use a little sprinkled baby powder on your hair to mop up the excess oils.
A certain amount of natural oils from the scalp is necessary for a healthy shiny head of hair but the trick is to get the balance right. Too much oil in the hair looks greasy and unattractive whilst too little can make it look too fly-away.
Do I need to use conditioner?
This again probably depends on the condition of your hair, particularly how much natural oil it has. If you are in the habit of shampooing every day and your hair still looks nice and shiny, then you probably don't need conditioner at every wash.
If however, your hair tends to be rather coarse and dry anyway, and looks even more so after washing, then it is a good idea to use conditioner. The important thing is to consider the natural tendency of your hair towards oiliness. If you have the type of scalp where your hair looks naturally shiny and oily only a couple of days after washing, then you don't want too much conditioner that might make it appear even greasier.
What sort of shampoo should I use?
These days there is a wide variety of shampoos on the market, and there is bound to be one suitable for you. If your hair is healthy and normal, not tinted in any way, then you do not need to be too concerned about which shampoo to use - just go for a protein enriched one. If your hair is tinted however, you will extend the life of the tint by using a specifically formulated shampoo.
Some people prefer to use natural products where ever possible, and with shampoos there is a selection with natural ingredients available. You can use ones with chamomile for blonde hair, or, ones with henna or fennel for example, for dark hair. An acid edge to a shampoo helps restore a smooth cuticle and hence a shine to your hair. You can use a lemon shampoo, or apply some lemon juice in with your rinsing.
There are shampoos formulated especially for excessively oily hair, e.g. lemon containing types. Also modern technology offers special shampoos for very dry hair with "depth-enhancing moisturisers" and all manner of wonders.
Why not try alternating shampoos? You could use one type once or twice a week and the other once or twice a week. You could try changing brands every few months to make sure your hair is getting everything it needs to stay shiny and bouncing with health.
About the author: Erica Mate is an experienced hairdresser in London. She can help you to get the most out of your hair. For a limited time you can get a free haircut in her salon. To grab this offer make sure you have a look her website here.
