How To Tell If I’m Using The Wrong Shampoo

Quite a few times clients have inquired “how to tell If I’m using the wrong

shampoo” after we had discussions about hair washing.  These discussions usually take place when we are trying to comb out the hair before a service.  The comb is stuck because the hair is tangled and maybe there is white stuff everywhere!

Over my time as a hairstylist, I have come to realize that many clients cannot resist the “loss-leader”

product at the beginning of a store aisle if it is a shampoo. We can talk for days about good shampoos, if they see a “good” price on any shampoo, they will buy it.  Weeks later, they are also going to be moaning how dry their hair is and how it is falling all over the floor when they comb it.

Some things that indicate you may be using the wrong shampoo are:

• You have been washing the hair several times a week and it still has flakes.
• The hair feels as if it is coated with something after several washes.
• Several of the ingredients require a chemistry degree to translate.
• The hair feels dry, within two minutes of rinsing off the conditioner.
• The scalp is flaking after months of using it, although it is said to be “anti-dandruff”.

You need to pay attention to what is happening with your hair.  Many people have problems with their hair because of lack of attention.  They use little effort to properly detangle especially after wearing styles for a long time. Be sure you are not asking “how to tell if I’m using the wrong shampoo” when your hair care is only done in that spare five minutes between household chores and work.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.