Gone are days when hair care was more of a luxury than a need because the environment was less polluted at that time.
However, in today’s highly polluted landscape, our scalp can accumulate a significant amount of dirt. At the same time, the high temperature (Thanks to the ozone depletion) results in more sebum production.
The same is why, hair care today has become an integral part and need of every human being. There is an extensive range of products available in the market to choose from.
No matter your budget is between 0 to 10$ or 100 dollars, products in all ranges are available. But, do hair care products really work? Let’s find out together.
Do hair care products really work?
The simple answer to this is yes, hair care products do work. But how much and at what pace? There is no precise answer to this question because the working of such products depends upon various factors as discussed below.
1. Hair porosity
Hair porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It plays a crucial role in determining how effective hair care products will be. Hair porosity is categorized into three types: low, medium, and high.
Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles that make it difficult for moisture and products to penetrate, requiring lightweight, hydrating products. Medium porosity hair is well-balanced and generally responds well to most products.
High porosity hair, often caused by damage, has open cuticles that allow moisture to enter easily but also lose it quickly, necessitating the use of heavier, moisture-retentive products. Understanding your hair’s porosity helps in choosing the right products for optimal results.
2: Environmental Factors
External elements such as humidity, temperature, sun exposure, and pollutants play a significant role in how hair responds to hair care products. Humidity can cause hair to become frizzy or limp, making anti-frizz products or volumizing sprays more or less effective.
Temperature extremes can affect the hair’s moisture balance, requiring seasonal adjustments in hair care routines. Prolonged sun exposure can damage hair cuticles, leading to dryness and color fading, necessitating the use of UV-protectant sprays.
Pollutants and environmental toxins can accumulate on the scalp and hair, making clarifying shampoos and protective serums essential. Understanding these factors helps in tailoring hair care products to maintain healthy hair.
3: Scalp Condition
The health of your scalp is crucial in determining the effectiveness of hair care products. A well-balanced scalp promotes healthy hair growth and enhances product performance.
Conditions such as dandruff, characterized by flaky and itchy scalp, may require specialized anti-dandruff shampoos and treatments to be effective.
An oily scalp can cause hair to look greasy and limp, necessitating the use of clarifying shampoos and lightweight conditioners. Conversely, a dry scalp can lead to itchiness and flakiness, making moisturizing and soothing products essential.
Addressing scalp conditions properly ensures that hair care products work optimally, leading to healthier hair overall.
4: Ingredients
The active ingredients in hair care products determine their function and effectiveness. Natural oils, proteins, and vitamins can benefit hair differently, depending on their formulation and concentration.
5: Hair Type
Different hair types, such as straight, wavy, curly, and coily, possess unique characteristics and specific needs that influence the effectiveness of hair care products. Straight hair tends to be oily and may require lightweight products to avoid weighing it down.
Wavy hair benefits from products that enhance its natural texture without causing frizz. Curly hair, prone to dryness, often needs rich, moisturizing products to define curls and reduce frizz. Coily hair, the most fragile and dry type, requires intensive hydration and strength-repairing treatments.
Products formulated for one hair type may not work effectively for another, highlighting the importance of choosing products tailored to your specific hair type for optimal results.
How to choose the correct hair care products that work?
Here are some of the crucial points you can consider while choosing the products so that the answer of : do hair care products really works always comes a big YES.
1.Understanding the Type of scalp
Just like the skin of other body parts, our scalp skin is also of different types. For instance, if you have extra oily skin, the oil based shampoos and conditioner will be of no use to you at all.
Instead, it brings a significant amount of deterioration to your hair. Similarly, using dry shampoos for scalp with flaky skin and dandruff can worsen the case instead of bringing positive results. So, before you land on any product for your hair, it is imperative to know the type of scalp you have.
How to know the type of your scalp to find the correct hair care product: To know the type of your scalp, simply do not wash your hair for three days. It might sound a bit off to some people but it is the easiest and convenient way to clear your confusion. On the third day, observe your hair.
If they have become oily and sticky, you have an oily scalp and should go for dry and organic shampoos. However, if you have observed dryness and dandruff you have a dry scalp.
If your hair seems fine and without any flaw, you have hit the jackpot with a normal and Ph balanced scalp, and most of the products will work for you.
2. Types of ingredients
Some ingredients can harm your hair whereas the other ones can drastically improve its health. Now, it is up to you to search for the correct ingredients.
As the general rule of thumb, you should avoid all the hair care products whether it is a shampoo, a hair mask, serum or conditioner with any ingreidnts you are alerginc to.
Whether it is the internal elergy or a skin condition, you have to stay away from such products. At the time of purchase, make sure to read the ingredient list very carefully and make selection after.
Furthermore, products with harsh PH or with too many chemicals can disturb the PH level of your scalp. Thus, resulting in an extremely worst case. The same is why, ensure to go with organic products that are chemically balanced and well formulated.
Studies and research shows that hair care products with a PH level between 4 to 7 will work wonderfully for hair. If you don’t know the PH level of anything, you can test it at your house very easily.
How to test the PH level of hair care products: PH papers are easily available in the market for a couple of dollars. They come with a reference paper which shows what color will represent what PH level.
Place the paper on a flat surface, and grab a couple of your favorite hair care products. Place a drop at each piece of paper and wait for the color to change. Now match the final results with the reference card and you will know what PH level this product has.
3. Know the brand reputation and reviews
Brand reputations and reviews play a crucial role. A very well-known brand like Loreal or Pantene are very less likely to cause any harm in the formulation just for a little bit of cost cutting.
Hence, they are bound by the law as well as their credibility in the market to serve customers with complete transparency.
Hence, never ever buy new brands and unknown products because they can not be trusted with precious parts of your body like hair. Instead, always invest in high-quality and highly-reputed brands to ensure that the hair care product actually works.
Conclusion
On the bottom line, Hair care is one of the most important part of our body today- thanks to the increased hype created by the brands. But, now the question is, Do hair care products really work?
Well, there is not a single answer to this question because it all depends upon an extensive range of factors discussed above.
In addition, we have also discussed some of the important things to consider when buying a new hair care product. So, make sure to read the whole content from start to finish.
