Is salon shampoo better than OTC?

Question

Can you tell a difference? If so, what OTC shampoo works well?

Answer 1

No, not always,

This answer is true for ALL over the counter products (OTC). What makes a difference is the ingredients. When you buy blood pressure medication and a generic of the same type then by law both have to have the same dosage, of the same drug, and it has to work in the same way.

Generics allow the company to sell more to a larger market rather than sell less, at a higher price, to a smaller audience.

In the case of your shampoo, the saloon shampoo probably has better ingredients than a lot of OTC shampoos, but what are those ingredients doing? Remember that hair cells are dead, so all the shampoo does is clean it and coat it. It can reduce the oil on it, it can increase the fullness, or straighten it, but you can't repair the cells or add life to them. You can use a smoothing agent to make the hair stick together better so you have less split ends, but you can't repair the hair.

It all depends on the ingredients. Read what the salon shampoo has inside of it and then check to see what those ingredients actually do and find an OTC version that has the same, or similar ingredients.

The easy answer is that the salon shampoo is probably better than most OTC shampoos, but you should find one that is nearly as good or even better for less money. Look to see what company makes the more expensive shampoo and see if they make a different version. Some companies make both an expensive and cheap version and sell the same product at two different prices. After all when you buy a salon shampoo you are buying one that the salon owner and a famous hair technician recommends.

Answer 2

Is there really a difference between a $2 shampoo and a $20 bottle from your salon? Well yes, and no. Some cheap shampoos contain foaming agents which can dry out the hair. This is good for oily, limp hair. If your hair is sun-damaged, chlorine-damaged or color-damaged then you should invest in a more expensive shampoo. You really should see if the inexpensive shampoos & conditioners work for you and if they don't, or if your hair still appears limp or damaged, you should try a salon product.

Answer 3

I've used both. Blindly I haven't been able to tell the difference and I was really experiementing with them when my hair was extra, extra long. The best shampoo I ever came across was actually one I bought at The Dollar Tree.

Answer 4

No difference except the $$$$$
Salon product I use to use: CLAYPAC, REDKIN, & Biolage
I use Pantene, Infusion, Herbal Essence, and Sassoon.

Answer 5

not all hairdressing shops have the best shampoo
some are good and then another type might be better for you =I would suggest you try sample bottles until you find one that is good for your hair

Answer 6

I has a lot less crap in it. Try Tressame