Signs Your Shampoo and Conditioner Just Aren't Cutting It

It's the beginning of December, and the weather is starting to finally cool down in my home state of South Carolina, and as is normal during the winter months, my hair is beginning to dry up. I have to load my hair up with conditioner because it gets soaked up so fast.

The change in weather and my own haircare problems are what led me to write this article for you, my wonderful reader. Hair is ever-changing, flowing with the world around it, and adapting to what's going on inside your body. Meaning that what worked for you three months ago, might not be working now.

Trust me, I know as well as anyone that switching your products around is difficult. We all have our favs. But here are some signs that what you love, your hair might not.

Dry and Staticky

You know the feeling: You get inside, take your snuggly hoodie off, and your hair stands straight up from your head.

Dry, staticky hair is a sign that you need to add more moisture to your haircare routine. Moisture and hydration are an essential part to your hair's health, as it helps retain your strand's elasticity. Elasticity is the ability for your hair to stretch and return to normal without breaking, and losing that elasticity will lead to breakage.

To replenish that moisture, switch to products that are rich in emollients, although the amount you need will vary depending on your hair type.

Extra Oily and Limp

For some people, oily, limp hair is a sign that your products are no good for you. So, on the opposite end of the spectrum from the dry haired counterparts, sit those whose products are depositing too much moisture for their hair type. Yes, you can add too much.

This can cause a number of problems like frizziness, the softening of your curl pattern, and your hair feeling gummy when wet. All of these things can lead to over-swelling of the hair, called hygral fatigue, and the end result is damage.

To solve this, start using lighter products, or occasionally using a clarifying shampoo to strip any moisture buildup from your hair if you're not interested in switching.

Itchy, Flaky Scalp

If you notice you're having consistent issues with scalp dryness, itchiness, and flakiness, it might be a sign that the pH balance of your shampoo is off.

And while I have your attention: Stop using Head and Shoulders. Please. It is drying your hair out.

Anyway, if the pH balance in your products is too different from the pH of your scalp, it can cause some uncomfortable side effects. The best way to fix this is to switch to a pH balanced product, so that it is more equally matched to yours.

When It's NOT Your Shampoo

Unfortunately, if your hair and scalp are having any of the problems above, there are times when it has nothing to do with your shampoo and conditioner.

The things that we take into our bodies will be directly reflected by the outside of our bodies, hair included. And things like a poor diet, medication, and treatments for specific ailments can all cause these things.

As far as the best way to handle these symptoms, try to find products that can counteract what you're experiencing. So if you have dry, brittle hair, use something with moisture to combat it as best as you can. The thing that makes internal changes in your hair different from simple bad product choice is that your symptoms, more often than not, won't go away fully until you correct what's going on inside of you. Which can be a big emotional struggle for some people.

Another option would be to speak with a doctor about your symptoms, and see if there's anything they can do to help with the problems you're having with your hair. There may be other options for you that can make it easier to treat.

Signs of Healthy Hair

And of course I can't write an article about unhealthy hair without telling you all about healthy hair, too.

Hair that is shiny, bouncy, silky, and doesn't tangle easily is hair that is happy. If your hair is textured, your curls should be soft but not limp.

A healthy scalp should be flake free and smooth to the touch with little to no itching. A scalp in optimal condition will actually appear to be almost a light blue color in appearance.

In Conclusion

Everyone jokes that hair has a mind of its own, and sometimes it truly does feel that way. Hair is a constantly changing entity that requires adjustment and consistent change to keep it happy and healthy.

Having any of the bad hair symptoms above can be stressful and annoying, but usually the solution is just a simple switch in your product lineup. And before long you can go from having problematic hair back to the smooth, healthy look you love!