Choosing the right hair shampoo for your hair type can seem like a challenge. After all, there are endless amounts of hair products that can smooth, straighten, moisturize, tame curls, and help nourish damaged or over processed hair. No matter what your hair texture is, there is a hair shampoo out there that is right for you… and instead of using the trial and error method to find it, learning a little bit about the different types that are offered can save you a lot of stress and money.  At Kosmos Hair salon in Jupiter we are well educated on many various product lines and ingredients that can help with any hair issue. And if you don’t have time to stop in and let us guide you to the right product choice, here’s a little break down on the different kinds of hair shampoos, and which one will suit your hair type best.

Oily/Fine Hair: You can tell if you have fine hair if the diameter of a single strand is very small. This is not to be confused with thin hair, which is characterized by a reduced density of the hair on your head. Whichever is the case for you, you want to stick with a clear hair shampoo with a thickening agent like panthenol or a wheat protein. Proteins, collagens and certain humectants that are included in most volumizing or thickening hair shampoos can greatly help swell the diameter of the hair strand, resulting in fuller locks. Be careful of the old “lather, rinse, repeat” adage, once is generally enough. Shampooing twice can strip the hair of much needed sebum, causing over drying. This will cause your sebaceous glands to go into over drive and produce more oils, making your hair dirtier quicker. If you tend to use a lot of hair products, a clarifying hair shampoo once a week will help remove build up.   

Dry Hair:  If your tresses are dry and lackluster, you want to shy away from clear hair shampoos. Stick with a rich, creamy product that has a pearlescent quality to it. These hair products tend to be heavier and contain silicones, wax particles, and humectants which draw moisture from the air.  Stick with moisturizing hair shampoos to really nourish your hair. Try to avoid cleansing your hair daily.

Damaged Hair: Damaged hair can occur from physical, chemical, and environmental stressors. Heat from a blow dryer or curling iron is considered a physical aggressor and can really zap the hair of its integrity. Over processing the hair with bleach, hair color or a perm, or relaxer is chemical damage. This will actually break down the composition of the hair causing it to fray and break off. It is very important to consult with a professional before attempting to put a chemical of any kind on your hair yourself. Stop in to Kosmos Hair, we are always happy to help. Environmental stress is over drying caused by sun exposure and salt water, which we all know is in abundance here in south Florida. Pollutants in the air can also tax the hair’s strength. Whatever your issue, be sure to use a moisturizing or repairing formula. Repairing shampoos have proteins in them that will help replenish the hair. Try to shampoo every other day.

Curly/Thick/Coarse Hair: Thick or coarse hair types tend to be drier, and moisturizing shampoos will be best. If your tresses tend toward the frizzy side, a smoothing shampoo will be your new best friend. If your hair is curly, shampoos geared towards curly hair in particular will do double duty by moisturizing and smoothing the hair shaft. Feel free to skip a day or two in between hair shampoos to give your hair’s natural oils a chance to work their way down the shaft. Curls have a mind of their own the next morning? Just wet the hair in the shower and add a little conditioner to the ends and reshape the curls when you style with your diffuser.

Color Treated Hair: Color treated hair needs a gentle shampoo that won’t strip it and speed its oxidation process. Most salon brands are color safe, but check to make sure. Steer clear of clarifiers, and check the label before you use a volumizing shampoo. When in doubt, a moisturizing product or a hair shampoo made specifically for color treated hair will be the right choice.

When picking the shampoo that’s right for you, take into consideration the texture and integrity of your hair.  Remember that hair salon products will always have better ingredients than drugstore brands and will help keep your hair looking and feeling its best.

Ask your Kosmos Hair stylist today for their recommendations for your hair type.