Hair Shampoos

 Hairs are very important part of personality. Style and condition of our hairs can change our whole look. It is very important to take care of our hairs for our beauty and health too. Washing and cleaning of hairs is very important part of hair care routine. Shampoo is the hair care product which is used for washing and cleaning hairs.

Dirt, oil, skin particles, dead cells, dandruff and environmental pollutants get build up gradually in the hairs. Shampoo help remove these contaminating particles from the hairs. Shampoo should be such which removes this extra build up in hairs without stripping too much, making hairs unmanageable.

When lathered with water shampoo acts as surfactant. In the process cleaning scalp and hair, it also removes natural oils which lubricate the hair shaft. Shampooing should be followed by conditioning.

What is the working of Shampoo?

Shampoo removes the sebum present in hairs. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands surrounding hair follicle. Protein structure of the hairs is protected from damage by sebum. While adhering to the hairs, this sebum attracts dirt, scalp flakes and other things. When shampoo is applied on hairs, it instantly removes sebum from hairs and in turn, it also removes dirt accumulated on it.

Soaps also contain surfactants but soaps greatly bond with the sebum and in turn remove excess of sebum. Shampoos contain different kind of surfactant, which mildly remove the sebum, avoiding too much stripping of oil.

Healthy hair has water repelling surface on which sebum is stuck. Plain water can not rinse out lipids. Surfactants in shampoos help to remove this surface tension and help in removal of sebum.

Types of Shampoos:

For right hair care, you should choose right kind of shampoo. There are many types of shampoos available in the market. Here are few guidelines to decide what kind of shampoo to use for your hairs.

Extremely curly and coarse hairs : Curly hairs are dry because sebum produced in the follicles can not easily reach down in the hair shaft while in straight hairs, it can easily travel down.

For this kind of hairs, look for moisturizing, thick creamy shampoo. Shampoos containing shea butter or coconut oil are the best as they cover the hair shaft and trap the moisture inside. Do not wash curly hairs everyday. Another thing is condition them whenever you shampoo them. Before shampoo, give hot oil massage to curly hairs.

Fine and oily Hairs : These are limpy hairs which need frequent and gentle shampooing. Do not touch creamy shampoos marked for dry hairs, rather choose clear shampoos. Panthenol contained in clear shampoos, penetrate the cuticles and make each strand thicker and voluminous. Avoid excessive application of shampoo; use shampoo twice only when, hairs are too oily.

Processed hair: Color treated hairs need to be to be maintained to keep in right condition. Right shampoo for processed hairs means shampoo which can add moisture to the hairs. Processed hairs means colored, permed and relaxed hairs. Shampoos for color-treated hairs contain gentler cleansers which protect color. For permed or relaxed hairs any moisturizing shampoo will do but apply it on the roots only and rub well. Then rinse it with good quantity of water. While this water is running down the shaft, massage well to remove dirt and grime. While apply conditioner, do not apply it on the roots. Avoid washing your processed hairs everyday.

Dry and Damaged hairs: Stay away from clear shampoos, just go for creamy ones. These shampoos contain rich conditioning agents like shea butter and lanolin.

How to Shampoo Your Hairs:

Before shampooing, first thoroughly wet your hairs. Use warm or cold water and avoid hot water as it tends to dry the hair. Take small quantity of shampoo on your palm and rub your hands together for applying shampoo evenly. Gently massage your scalp and hair roots to remove grease. Do not be too harsh with your hairs. Then rinse hairs thoroughly with plain water to remove all traces of shampoo in the hairs.