Can shampoo cause hair loss?

I am a 26-year-old woman and I shampoo my hair almost every day. Lately, I’ve started to notice hair fall which never happened before. Could my shampoo be causing my hair loss? Which shampoo should I use? Please help.

Hair loss is a serious problem which affects several individuals but it is not always due to just one factor. There are several underlying factors that can result in hair fall. Says trichologist Dr Apoorva Shah in his book ‘Have A Great Hair Day’ that shampooing hair does not lead to hair fall or clog pores that produce sebum – the natural oil our scalp produces. Even hair expert Jawed Habib corroborates this fact in his book ‘Hair Yoga’ that hair fall is not caused due to shampoos. But using the wrong type of shampoo can certainly damage your hair which may lead to hair fall in the long run by weakening it from the root. So, it is essential that you pick the right shampoo to wash your hair. Here’s a guide.

To pick the right shampoo you first need to know your hair type. Is your hair:

• Oily – Scalp gets greasy in a few days but the ends are dry.
• Dry – Rough hair which tangles easily and is frizzy.
• Normal – Neither too dry nor oily in texture.
• Damaged – It has split-ends or dandruff problems.
• Limp – It falls flat and does not have much volume.

Tips to choose the right shampoo

Once you determine your hair type, you can decide which type of shampoo you should opt for. Though there are several brands available in the market, you need to choose one according to the type and not the brand. Also, it is important to change brands every 4-5 weeks or else your scalp gets resistant to it and does not show any results.

Jawed Habib in his book explains that shampoo is essentially used to keep your scalp clean and healthy. Just as you bathe to get rid of dirt from your body, shampoo performs the same function for your hair. It isn’t a magical ingredient that it is often promised to be in advertisements. He recommends opting for a shampoo with a pH ranging between 5-7 as it will not harm your scalp or hair. He also warns against using shampoos that contain ammonia which is damaging to the hair. 

Shampoo for oily hair

Dr Shah in his book suggests choosing a mild, herbal shampoo and washing your hair frequently (every day if required) to avoid build-up of oil in the scalp. Also, he advises to condition only the tips. If you do not want to wash your hair every day, opt for a stronger formulation.

Shampoo for dry hair

People with dry hair should use a mild cleanser as they will find it difficult to manage their hair post hair wash. Also, they should condition their hair well even use leave-in serum or conditioner to control the frizz. Do not shampoo hair every day. 

Shampoo for normal hair

You can opt for any shampoo which does not specify it is for any hair problem. You can also wash your hair often as it will help keep your scalp clean and prevent hair problems. Follow the oiling-cleansing-conditioning ritual for healthy hair suggests Dr Shah. 

Shampoo for damaged hair

If you have split-ends, you need to get a trim often to get rid of the problem. Also, you need to strengthen your hair so use shampoos which have keratin in them. If you have dandruff, opt for medicated shampoos but do not use them more than once or twice a week as they can make your hair rough and dry. Stop the usage of anti-dandruff shampoo once it is under control.

Shampoo for limp hair

Opt for a shampoo which promises to add more volume to your hair but keep the pH level in-check. Also, do not condition your hair too much unless really needed as it can further weigh it down. Make sure you wash out any residue from your scalp as it can make the hair look limper.

If you have coloured hair, you need to use special shampoo as it forms a protective layer on your hair which prevents the colour from fading away too soon. Here’s how to shampoo your hair the right way.