A woman with an afro. - David Shankbone
This article will tell you how to select the best shampoo for all types of black hair.
Choosing a good shampoo for African-American hair is a very basic and yet very important step in achieving healthy hair. Here are some general tips on what to look for in shampoos for all types of black hair:
- Read the bottle. While often the details of the type of hair the shampoo is “designed for” is used as a marketing ploy (for example: the bottles labeled "For Dry Hair" and "For Chemically Treated Hair" may have the exactly the same ingredients listed on the back), it’s still a good idea to read about any added ingredients that will help to moisturize your hair or minimize frizz.
- Use a shampoo infused with a natural, moisturizing oil. A common one in shampoo today is Jojoba oil.
- Use a creamy, hydrating shampoo. Clear, gel-based shampoos tend to dry out curly hair.
- Find a pH balanced shampoo. In the book Good Hair, author Lonnice Brittenum Bonner recommends that you look for a shampoo that is pH balanced because “if the shampoo is too alkaline the cuticles of your hair will be open and it will feel coarser and tangle easier.” Thankfully, most shampoos contains the buffering agent sodium citrate. According to Science Toys, a website that lists and explains common household ingredients, a buffering ingredient is "a compound that releases more acidifying ions when the acidity gets low or absorbs acid when the acidity gets too high.
- Avoid shampoos with alcohol. Although alcohol and its derivitives in shampoos are fairly uncommon in shampoos (but VERY common in conditioners), make sure to avoid it. Alcohol acts to severely dry out your hair.
Extra tips for chemically straightened hair
- Stick to gentle shampoos specifically formulated for chemically treated hair.
- Bonner also recommends shampoos with protein to help rebuild some of the protein that is broken down with chemical straighteners.
Extra tip for dealing with dandruff:
- Generally, shampoos specially formulated for dandruff are a good choice. Common ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoo include zinc, tar and selenium sulfide. These ingredients can be drying and can even discolor lightened hair. Use extra caution.
Other general tips on shampooing:
- Use a hot oil treatment before shampooing. Divide your hair into four or five sections. Apply the hot oil to each section, avoiding the scalp. Leave the oil on your hair for 20 minutes.
- Apply and massage the shampoo into your scalp in one direction. This will minimize tangling and matting.
- Use cold water for the final rinse. Cold water helps to close the pores in your hair shaft, which promotes shinier hair and combat frizz.
- Wash your hair approximately once a week. Most African-American hair tends towards dryness and it gets worse if it is washed too often. Again, not all black hair is the same. If your hair is more oily and washing it more often is a must, do so.
Use these tips on choosing the right shampoo and you will find your hair healthier and more manageable. Remember that the best hair is healthy hair.
Copyright Adrienne Christina Miles. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Adrienne Christina Miles - Adrienne is a young freelance writer from Washington, DC. She specializes in such diverse topics such as hair care, race issues, music, ...
