Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Are Cleansing Conditioners Shampoo's Replacement?


IS SHAMPOOING BAD?

Many shampoo products contain surfactants, a harsh detergent, that creates a lather effect in the hair. Frequent shampooing can strip away the hair's natural oils, which are essential for maintaining the health and condition of  your hair and scalp. In addition, over-washing can cause an overproduction of sebum (natural oils), making us even more dependent on shampooing.

Armed with this new knowledge and awareness, we are seeing a common trend with people searching for ways to skip the everyday hair-washing routine and prolong how often they shampoo. Which begs to ask the real question... will shampoo's soon become obsolete?


POPULAR SHAMPOO-ALTERNATIVE TRENDS 

DRY SHAMPOOS & HAIR POWDERS
A popular shampoo-alternative product, designed to remove unwanted oil and build-up from the hair, have been a 'must-have' product since making their big debut in 2012.

BAKING SODA & APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
This "no-poo" method, an inexpensive DIY way of going shampoo-free, using baking soda to cleanse the hair and scalp followed by an apple cider vinegar rinse.

CURLY GIRL METHOD
Curly Girl Method creadted by Lorraine Massey, hair expert and author of Curly Girl:The Handbook
'Follow the Curly Girl Method for Curly Hair"  http://www.wikihow.com/Follow-the-Curly-Girl-Method-for-Curly-Hair

CO-WASHING
Conditioner washing, or co-washing for short, has been primarily used by those with naturally curly/textured hair with the help of the "Curly Girl Method" and similar methods. Cleansing Conditioners are also considered a "Co-Wash" method.

CLEANSING CONDITIONERS: The New Shampoo?

Recently, there have been several popular salon product companies, such as Matrix-Biologe, who have added this relatively new product type to their existing hair care lines, along with brand new product companies, like Unwash, who have emerged with this brand-specific product. Although, they aren't entirely new to the seen with products, such as, Wen Hair Care by Chaz Dean and DevaCurl-No-Poo, that have been around for some time now.



Who Should Use Cleansing Conditioners?: Originally designed and formulated for those with naturally curly/textured hair and dry, dehydrated hair; leaving the remaining hair types having to resort to other options. Until 2015, we are seeing many of these products now being formulated and suitable for all hair types, including those with medium to fine hair and oily hair, which found the use of a straight conditioner to be too heavy and weighing on their hair. The newest cleansing conditioners claim to gently remove dirt and debris without lather and detergents, and at the same time, maintain the proper moisture balance.  These products are oil-regulating, not oil-causing, so those with oily hair and/or have active lifestyles will certainly benefit from the use of this product. Cleansing conditioners are also great for color-treated hair in maintaining color & prevent fading.

Who Shouldn't Use Cleansing Conditioners?: Those with extremely oily hair and those with scalp conditions such as dermatitis, may not be the best candidates for using cleansing conditioners.

How To Use Cleansing Conditioners: Dispense a generous amount into your palms and rub together. Apply to wet hair massaging thoroughly. Use fingers or a wide-toothed comb to distribute through hair. Leave on hair for remainder of shower (5 minutes or so). Rinse completely with cool water. TIP: The amount you use may be the same amount that you would normally use for both your shampoo & conditioner combine.

How Often Should I Use?: Cleansing conditioners can be used each time you wash. Many find that it is not necessary, but some people prefer to use a sulfate-free shampoo once and awhile to remove any excess oil and/or product buildup.


Please Note: If transitioning to a cleansing conditioner or another shampoo-alternative method, your hair might react or go through 'shampoo-withdrawals', so to speak. Don't be discouraged! Many have had no problem with the transition, but be forewarned of this possible side-effect, it may last a anywhere from 1-4 weeks.

2 comments:

  1. Honestly i don't trust any kind of chemicals and shampoos are chemicals too. But for cleansing purpose i try to use them as less as possible.. probably 3 times a week.

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