The Best Shampoo and the Best Conditioner for Your Hair Type: 5 Things To Know
The way that you approach hair care depends on several factors. However, the most important consideration to make when assembling your personal hair care routine is your hair type. Is your hair straight, thick, thin, curly, wavy, kinky, or wiry? If any of these adjectives apply to the hair on your head, you’ll benefit greatly from choosing specific hair products that are designed for your hair type.
The products you choose can have a significant impact on the strength, health, texture, volume, and overall appearance of your hair. Choosing the right products can leave you with the hair of your dreams, and choosing the wrong ones may leave your locks dried out, your scalp irritated, and your head looking lifeless.
In this post, we’ll be discussing five of the most important things to consider when choosing a shampoo and conditioner. We’ll be taking factors like hair type into consideration, as well as concerns about hair loss, dry scalp, and other potential hair and skin concerns.
1. Watch Out For Sulfates
Sulfates are common ingredients in hair products like shampoo and conditioner. These ingredients attract water and oil to themselves, allowing them to generate a rich, lathery texture. However, your hair needs its natural oils to retain its texture and volume. Using hair products that contain sulfates may leave your hair dried out, especially if it is curlier or more wavy.
While curly and wavy hair are ideally cared for with sulfate-free products, sulfates may not have the same negative impact on some other hair types. Thin, straight hair, for example, is not as likely to have its volume and texture ruined by hair products that contain sulfates. The best way to determine whether your hair will respond well to sulfates is through trial and error. Using a shampoo or conditioner that contains sulfates may lead to visible changes in your hair’s texture and volume after just one use.
The Bottom Line: Sulfates can have a drying effect on certain hair types, especially curly and wavy hair. Anyone can care for their hair using sulfate-free products, but it’s especially necessary for anyone with curly or wavy hair to go sulfate-free.
2. Avoid Artificial Colors and Fragrances
Synthetic ingredients are often added to hair products to give them a unique look and scent. However, artificial dyes and fragrances can potentially irritate your scalp. If you have sensitive skin, it is especially important to avoid using products with synthetic ingredients, as your skin may be especially vulnerable to irritation from these ingredients.
Ideally, opt for a shampoo and conditioner that do not contain any artificial ingredients. This includes synthetic fragrances and dyes, as well as parabens and harsh chemicals that can potentially irritate your skin. These ingredients are best left out of a high-quality hair care regimen.
3. If You Deal With Hair Loss, Choose A DHT-Blocking Shampoo
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the main cause of the most common form of hair loss in adults – androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia, also known as pattern baldness, affects over half of men over 50 and over a quarter of women over 50. The condition can also develop as early as a person’s 30s. Symptoms of androgenic alopecia include a receding hairline, a growing bald spot at the top of the head, and significant thinning in the divide between the two sections of hair on a person’s head.
If you are dealing with DHT-related hair loss, you will most likely be able to recognize significant thinning in one of the areas listed above. Androgenic alopecia does not cause complete baldness – it typically primarily affects specific parts of the head. However, if you are unsure about whether your hair loss is caused by DHT, make sure to consult your doctor or dermatologist.
One of the most effective treatments for DHT-related hair loss is the use of hair products with ingredients that naturally inhibit your body’s production of dihydrotestosterone. GroMD’s hair products are formulated with our proprietary blend of DHT-blocking, growth-boosting ingredients, all of which can help to get your hair’s natural growth cycle back on track.
If you are struggling to find a hair loss treatment that works, you may get the results you’re looking for from GroMD’s shampoo, conditioner and follicle activator spray. Our products are suitable for all hair types, and they contain nourishing, hydrating ingredients to keep your hair looking and feeling incredible.
To pick up your first set of our products, click here!
4. If You Are Struggling With Scalp Irritation, Medicated Shampoo May Help
Scalp irritation and dandruff are two common hair and skin issues that many people struggle with. There are many causes for these conditions, but one of the most common factors that leads to an irritated, flaky scalp is a yeast-like fungus. If you suspect that your dandruff is caused by fungus, a medicated shampoo containing pyrithione zinc may be the best treatment for you.
A powerful antifungal ingredient, pyrithione zinc works to get to the root cause of one of the most common forms of dandruff. However, it’s important to determine the cause of your dandruff and scalp irritation before you start treatment.
Other factors can lead to the development of a dry, flaky, irritated scalp, including:
- Cold weather
- Side effects of topical hair loss prevention treatments
- Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis
- Artificial ingredients in hair care products
Depending on the main cause of your scalp irritation, you may need to take a specific route for treatment. If you are struggling to find a treatment for your scalp irritation that works, make sure to consult your doctor or dermatologist.
5. If Your Hair Tends To Get Dry, Consider a Leave-In Conditioner
Leave-in conditioner is a type of hair treatment that contains nourishing, hydrating ingredients. This type of conditioner is designed to be massaged into the hair and scalp when your hair is wet, then left in as the hair air-dries. You can use a leave-in conditioner alongside your daily shampoo and conditioner, applying the leave-in conditioner after you shower.
Using leave-in conditioner can be especially helpful if your hair often loses moisture and volume throughout the day. This is a common problem in the colder months of the year, especially for people with curly or wavy hair. Leave-in conditioner can help your hair lock in moisture and can provide your hair with beneficial ingredients like antioxidants and fatty acids.
As is the case with any hair product, not all leave-in conditioners are equal. For best results, look for a leave-in conditioner made with high-quality ingredients that is free from any artificial additives like fragrances, dyes, or parabens.
Alternatively, you can use GroMD’s follicle activator spray instead of leave-in conditioner to help your hair retain moisture throughout the day. Our follicle activator spray contains hydrating, nourishing ingredients like argan oil, a natural source of antioxidants and fatty acids. You can use follicle activator spray daily after washing your hair with GroMD’s shampoo and conditioner combo.
GroMD’s products are designed to primarily prevent hair loss, but they can also be beneficial for anyone’s hair.
In addition, if you have more questions about hair loss, hair care, and more, make sure to visit the GroMD blog. We’ve written multitudes of intriguing articles about the science of hair loss prevention, as well as how to assemble a great hair care routine that caters to your hair’s specific needs.
Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.Sources:
https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/dihydrotestosterone/
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/androgenetic-alopecia/
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/itchy-skin/itch-relief/relieve-scalp-itch