Salon Shampoo vs. Supermarket Shampoo: Is There Any Difference?

If you have ever walked into any drug store, grocery store or even a discount department store with the pure intention of purchasing a bottle of shampoo you will know the feeling of finding a rather overwhelming selection of so many different types of shampoo from which to choose from. The shelves are completely stocked and lined with several different brand names and each brand generally offers numerous varieties catering to all kinds of different hair types. Now, step into a specialty store such as a beauty supply shop or a hair salon and you will see a variety of brand name, salon quality  hair products that you cannot really find in the other stores to purchase. What are these "salon shampoos" and what exactly makes them different from the regular shampoo you find at your local grocery store?
Many of these salon shampoos offer several various formulas for different hair types just the same as the less expensive "grocery store" brands offer you. You will also notice a  rather significant difference in the price — the salon shampoo being a lot more expensive then the regular ones you can usually find.

What Is Salon Shampoo?

When hair care professionals work on your hair, they usually tend to be able to tell what type of hair you have, just by looking, based on their training and their level of experience working with all their other clients with various hair types. Needless to say, when a hair care professional suggests you a shampoo for your specific hair type, chances are that it most likely will be the correct choice. For example, if you have only slightly dry hair that requires a mild shampoo, your hairdresser should be able to recommend you the correct formula to fully meet the needs of your hair in paticular.

Salon formulas are prepared with more expensive ingredients, and this is the reason why the amount you pay is such a drastic difference from what you would pay for supermarket shampoo selections. There is no doubt that those salon formulas can pamper the hair quite a bit. However, if the wrong choice is made for your particular hair type, you may very well have spent a big chunk of money for some unsatisfactory results. The most important factor to consider when selecting any shampoo is if you are purchasing the correct formula for your hair type. Deciding if the end result of a salon formula shampoo is worth the expense is ultimately a personal choice.

Supermarket Shampoo

Most supermarkets carry several top shelf shampoo brands that offer superior quality to the other available brands in the store. These shampoos cost a bit more, based on the premise that they do a bit more. More often than not, these top shelf shampoos can make a good bit of a difference in the appearance of your hair. They will generally offer more of the ingredients that are known to pamper the hair and the manufacturer can therefore charge you more for the cost of the product.

Aside from the bottom shelf choices, the other available shampoos all fare pretty well when the correct formula for your hair has been selected. An average supermarket shampoo can work well to manage your hair, as long as you make sure you choose the proper formula for your hair type. Once you have decided what formula works best for your hair, experiment with different supermarket brands of the same formula. You may find that one brand works a bit better for your hair than another brand. Average supermarket shampoos may work best on hair that is normal in texture, and not processed or damaged.

Bottom shelf brands may be a perfectly acceptable shampoo for your hair, but keep in mind it may also send you right back to the store to purchase a better quality shampoo. The only way to know is to try it. Keep in mind that bottom shelf is not always an indication that the quality is inferior. It may be bottom on the shelf due to a discontinuation of the product or because it is an unknown or poorly selling item. In general, hair that is color-treated, processed or damaged will require better quality than what is available in bottom shelf brands.
 
Bargain brands may not necessarily be the cream of the crop when it comes to shampoo, but they may still be perfectly acceptable choices, especially for those with normal hair. Unless they are so watered down that they are unable to remove the dirt and oils on your scalp, they will more than likely still clean your hair. Generally, the main difference in bargain brands is the low end quality of the ingredients that are used to manufacture it and the amount of each ingredient that is used. Don’t be fooled into thinking that bargain shampoos are made by low quality companies. Often, you will find that the same manufacturer that makes a high quality shampoo also makes a bargain brand shampoo to appeal to all income levels.
 

Different Shampoos For Different Hair Types And Hair Textures

Often, we purchase a shampoo expecting it to give us the results that the label claims can be expected, only to be disappointed with the final outcome. Sometimes, the problem can actually lie with an inappropriate choice of formulas rather than the shampoo itself. Knowing what type of hair you have can aid in the choice of the proper formula. Finding a shampoo that works well for your hair can be an effort of trial and error.
 

Hair Types

Dry hair requires a lot of moisturizer. Shampoo tends to remove the hairs natural oils. Finding the proper degree of moistening shampoo for your hair may take a bit of experimentation. You certainly don’t want to use a product that is so mild it leaves the hair looking less than clean. On the other hand, you want to avoid drying the hair out any further.

Oily hair requires more frequent shampooing with a shampoo that is specifically formulated for that hair type. You want to use a shampoo that is strong enough to remove the grease from the scalp and hair shaft. You want to avoid a shampoo that has added ingredients that might weigh the hair down or contribute to the need to wash more frequently.

Normal hair is generally the easiest to care for and should only require a mild to moderate cleansing shampoo. However, that does not mean that care should not be put into the type of shampoo that you buy. Purchasing a formula that is appropriate for your hair type can mean the difference between having clean, bouncy locks that are full of body or flat, dull hair that is weighed down.

Hair Texture

To make proper selection even more difficult, the texture of hair needs to be considered as well. Thin, straight hair tends to get greasy quicker than thicker hair. Heavy products will often weight thin hair down and should be avoided.
Curly hair tends to be thicker and drier than straight hair. The use of heavy products may be the only way to see significant results in curly hair.
 
Processed hair requires special formulas that are designed to avoid color fading. Colored hair can be damaged easier due to the chemicals that are applied, which alter the hair. Avoid harsh treatments and be gentle with hair that has been processed.

Damaged hair, as a result of processing, heating or using styling products, will often need special treatments. Hair that has been damaged is easily broken. Products that repair and prevent further damage are available, but the treatment of damaged hair takes more than just the use of proper shampoo.