Part 2: Cleansing and Conditioning

Shampoos and conditioners are an important part of your hair care routine but, did you know that many top selling products could be causing you more harm than good?  Shampoos are considered to be quality products based upon the ingredients that they are made up of and the percentage of alkalinity that results from the ingredients. This is what is commonly referred to as the shampoos “PH” balance. Shampoos with a higher PH level can actually strip hair color and cause highlighted and permed hair to become dry and brittle. Almost every problem that we see in the salon concerning quickly fading hair color can be traced back to the shampoo that the customer is using at home.
I think that most consumers would also be amazed at the amount of wax and alcohol that most of these products contain. I would even go so far as to say that you are mainly paying for a simple wax or paraffin with just a drop of detergent added. If you are in doubt about this, please watch the video link as Christine performs a test on several of the leading brands and then does the same test on the shampoos that we sell here at OH SALON. I think you will be amazed at what you see.

We are often asked if it is important to shampoo and condition every day and I really think this is case by case and dependent on whether or not you need to. If your hair is very oily naturally then you probably will need to shampoo every day. If your hair is naturally dry then it is perfectly fine to skip a day or maybe even two. Seasons of high pollen counts, sweaty gym workouts, and humid days spent at the lake or by the pool are all reasons to shampoo your hair.

Do I need to condition?  I would have to say that in my opinion you should be using something after shampooing. Conditioning agents help seal the cuticle layer of the hair and leave you with glossier and healthier looking locks. With the use of curling wands and flat irons that reach 450 degrees, it is vitally important for the health of your hair to be protecting it in some way.  There are many types available, and like all other hair care products your stylist should be making recommendations to you so that you will get exactly what you need for your specific hair type. We even carry lightweight leave in treatments that will not weigh your hair down. Yes, everyone can benefit from the use of some type of conditioners and they should be a normal part of your routine.

Next week we will explore styling aids…what you need and how to use them properly. Thank you for all your comments on this blog series. Information is key and we at OH SALON are pleased that we can provide it for you and that you are enjoying our postings.