October 3, 2014 by Leah | A Relaxed Gal

The Best Shampoo Ingredients For Healthy Relaxed Hair

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When it comes to having healthy relaxed hair, shampoo is probably one of the most important products. Shampoo cleanses the hair and scalp and rid them of product buildup and dirt which makes it the external starting point for promoting healthy hair growth.


The Best Shampoo Ingredients For Healthy Hair | A Relaxed Gal
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Types of shampoos

There are many types of shampoos available and they can be grouped in so many different ways. Just go to the hair care aisle and it can be very overwhelming. There are shampoos for smoothing, adding volume, clarifying, moisturizing, color-treated hair, dry hair, and the list goes on. and they all have their uses within a hair regimen.

To help alleviate some of the stress this aisle can cause, here are the top types of shampoos best suited for a relaxed head of hair.

Chelating

When using a chelating shampoo it removes dirt, product build-up, and more importantly mineral deposits and chlorine. This is a great type of shampoo for those who use no-lye relaxers, spend lots of time in the pool, or have hard water. Recommended uses are monthly for those with hard water, before and after a relaxer touch-up, and after swimming.

Clarifying

Clarifying shampoos are a step removed from chelating as they focus on only removing dirt and product build-up providing a deep clean and giving the hair and scalp a fresh start. Various sources recommend using a clarifying shampoo at least every four weeks.
 


Cleansing conditioner

Also called co-washes, cleansing conditioners aren't shampoo per se, but are being used more and more in place of shampoo. Cleansing conditioners contain little to no harsh detergents or chemicals and are more conditioning for the hair.


As a result, they can be used just as often or in place of a daily use shampoo. If this is a key part of a regimen it is recommended that every 4-6 weeks a clarifying shampoo is used to make sure all residue that the cleansing conditioner may not have gotten is removed.


Moisturizing

When I found out about moisturizing shampoos I had to do some research to find out exactly what they are. The key aspects of moisturizing shampoos are they gently wash away dirt and oil, balance the pH levels in the hair, help with detangling, and add moisture to the cleansing process in order to help protect the hair,  and keep the natural moisture in your hair has from being washed away.
 
You can find these types of shampoos with or without sulfates so there are plenty of options.

 


Neutralizing

Typically only used when relaxing the hair it helps to restore pH balance. To soften the bonds in the hair, relaxers have a high pH. In order to bring the pH to normal levels, a neutralizing shampoo has to be used. It's recommended to use the same brand as the relaxer. Outside of using after a relaxer, there really isn't any other time a neutralizing shampoo is needed.

Ingredients of a good shampoo

While the best type of shampoo for relaxed hair will vary from head to head, generally speaking, the best type of shampoo for regular use is one that moisturizes and detangles while it cleanses. A good shampoo shouldn't cause any scalp irritation, bruising, or itching. With that in mind, what ingredients should we look for in a shampoo?
  • Water which typically accounts for 50-80% of the product
  • Sulfate-free surfactants that will gently and subtly cleanse hair without over-drying it. This is an ingredient to definitely look for in daily-use shampoos and cleansing conditioners
  • Conditioners that help with reducing or eliminating frizz and detangling. Some that I like are amino acids
  • Natural Oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, tea tree oil, and macadamia oil.
  • pH balancers such as trimethyl alkonium chloride or ammonium chloride.


Some shampoo examples

Here are some examples of shampoos that I found online with really good reviews or are ones that I have used myself on my relaxed hair and like.

Healthy hair tip: The ingredients that make up a good shampoo | arelaxedgal.com 

Chelating shampoo


Clarifying shampoo


Cleansing conditioner/cowash


Daily use/Moisturizing shampoo


Neutralizing shampoo


Shop my relaxed hair regimen



References: http://www.curlynikki.com/2012/04/finding-best-shampoo-for-your-hair.html, http://thirstyroots.com/hair-care/best-shampoos-for-relaxed-hair, http://www.chocolatehairvanillacare.com/2012/06/chelating-versus-clarifying.html

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