A relaxing day at the salon — photo courtesy of flash.pro

If you’re anything like me, you spend at least $100 a year on hair products. Maybe your hair is manic, rapid cycling between being overly oily to dry and broken. It may not all be in your head. It may be your shampoo. Follow these ten pointers and spare yourself from a bad hair day.

1.) “Lather, rinse, repeat” may be the worst advice EVER

Lather, the foam in most shampoos, is the result of sulfates, foaming agents that are irritants and should be avoided at all costs. Look for shampoos that don’t contain these ingredients.

2.) Hard water is hard on your hair

Hard water contains mineral salts. These can make your hair dry and prone to breakage. If you live in an area with hard water, you can counter this with a chelating shampoo, which helps remove the minerals and buildup in your hair. You can also install a water filter on your shower head for about $70.

3.) The silicones in your shampoo may be drying your hair

If you experience dry hair, look on your shampoo bottle’s ingredient list for “dimethicone.” It’s a silicone intended to coat your hair and give it a model-worthy slippery feel; but it also prevents healthy oils from reaching your hair. Dimethicone copolyol and PEG modified dimethicone are safe because they are soluble in water. Just make sure you wash thoroughly if you use them.

4.) Use dry shampoo the night before instead of in the morning

If you apply the shampoo before you go to sleep, your tossing and turning in the night will work it in. Your hair will have more volume when you wake up.

5.) Applying conditioner to wet hair is almost like pouring it down the drain

Water dilutes the efficacy of conditioner. Wring out your hair before applying conditioner.

shampoo bottle ingredients

Check the ingredients! — photo courtesy of noricum

6.) You may be using too much shampoo if you have thick hair

You can dilute your shampoo with warm water and place it in a squeeze bottle with a nozzle to conserve shampoo.

7.) Dandruff shampoo isn’t kidding when it says it needs to be left in your hair for at least 3-5 minutes

No, really. Be patient. Watch the magic happen.

8.) Use a clarifying shampoo before your medicated shampoo

If you use a medicated shampoo for dandruff or other reasons, you should first use a clarifying shampoo. This will help remove debris and dead skin cells so your medicated shampoo can better penetrate.

9.) Use a clarifying shampoo if you bleach your hair

Bleached hair is more porous than regular hair and prone to absorbing your environment and sweat. A good clarifying shampoo will help dissolve the build-up in your hair.

10.) The best shampoo is sometimes no shampoo

Shampoo often strips your hair of its natural oils. Your scalp may compensate by producing extra oils, leading to oily hair. Instead of shampoo, try using a baking soda rinse and an apple cider vinegar rinse. Google “no poo” for more ideas. “No poo” methods are cost effective and can make your hair shinier and healthier.

Have you discovered any cool tricks to keeping your hair healthier? We’d love to hear them! Visit us on Facebook or Twitter and let us know. To schedule your appointment, contact us today or call (702) 547-1444.