From one of the largest and most recognizable beauty salons in the United States…. To the intimacy of an exclusive beauty shop in  Highland, Indiana salon~ Capellani... 

When it comes to the truth about shampoos and conditioners, the message is the same:

The single biggest truth about shampoo is that it's overused.

We're conditioned as Americans to think that you have to bathe and shampoo all the time, but we also moisturize all the time because of it.

When you shampoo your hair every day, or twice a day, you're stripping your hair of your natural oils. What happens next is that you start to use too much conditioner, to try to keep your hair from becoming dry—and all of a sudden your hair feels oily and then you feel like you have to wash it again.


But, you say…if I don't wash it every day I can't stand myself….

Do you brush your hair? If you’ll brush your hair everyday in the morning and at night, before you style it and before you go to bed, you're going to have much more balanced hair and your hair is going to be a little healthier.

More tips for the perfect shampoo: 

If you have fine or oily hair:

Use a shampoo that's cleansing for your oily hair, use one that's volumizing for your fine hair, and just alternate them


And for fine, dry hair, or hair that's colored….

If you have dry hair use something moisturizing, if you have colored hair use something with protein, and alternate that with the volume shampoo and conditioner.


What if you have curly or coarse hair…

Curly hair is lacking moisture naturally so to use something moisturizing is going to give you the best results, the strongest curls, the least amount of frizz.

The hair just feels rough..that's the coarse effect. You're going to use a shampoo that is a little more smoothing, something that adds moisture to the hair, something that's going to seal down the cuticle.

I'm going to put some conditioner on you…

The single biggest truth about conditioner is it gets misused. So many people just glob a bunch of conditioner right on their hand and they put it right here and then they say my hair is really oily here but it’s dry down here.

You apply to the ends first. Start at the ends and work up to the scalp. Whatever left you can rub in, mostly work the ends and then rinse that out after about 2 minutes.

What Are the Treatments for Dandruff?
Mild cases of dandruff may need nothing more than shampooing more frequently. Daily cleansing with a dandruff shampoo to decrease oil and cell buildup can keep moderate dandruff in check, but consult your doctor about more stubborn forms such as seborrheic dermatitis.

Not all dandruff shampoos are alike, so you may need to experiment with them to find the one that works best for you. Here are some examples of some effective over-the-counter shampoos you can try.


Coal-tar preparations (Neutrogena T/Gel, Tegrin) 
Pyrithione zinc (Suave Dandruff Control, Pert Plus Dandruff Control, Head & Shoulders) 
Salicylic acid and sulfur (T-Sal, lonil T, Sebulex) 
Selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral A-D) available as a 1% over-the-counter shampoo and a 2% prescription-strength shampoo.


You may need to alternate between types of shampoos if one type initially controls the dandruff but later loses its effectiveness. If you find that you are still scratching and shedding after trying over-the-counter preparations, see your doctor. You may be using the wrong shampoo for your condition. For really stubborn dandruff cases you may need to use a prescription lotion or shampoo.

Most doctors recommend that dandruff sufferers use a medicated shampoo daily, rubbing your scalp well and leaving the lather on for at least five minutes. Be sure to rinse thoroughly; shampoo and soap residue can actually aggravate skin problems. Brush your hair from your scalp outward with steady, firm strokes. This will carry oil from your scalp, where it can cause dandruff, along the hair strands, which need the oil to stay shiny and healthy.

What Is Dandruff?


Dandruff -- those dry, white flakes of skin you constantly find yourself brushing off your collar or shoulders -- poses no health risk whatsoever. But it can be a source of embarrassment, and the itchiness that may come with it is a genuine nuisance. The problem has nothing to do with hygiene and how often you wash your hair. However, shampooing infrequently can aggravate an existing case of dandruff. What actually lies behind dandruff is a simple difference between people in a natural process we all undergo every day: shedding skin cells. The difference is that some of us shed more than others.

Skin cells that grow and die off too fast are the cause of dandruff, but doctors do not know why this happens. One possible cause is a fat-eating fungus called Pityrosporum ovale, which is present in most people but to excess in dandruff sufferers. This fungus lives on the scalp of most healthy adults without causing any problems. Sometimes its numbers grow out of control and it feeds on the oil made by hair follicles. This causes irritation, which can lead to an increase in skin cell shedding. 

This abundance of fungus in some can be due to infrequent shampooing, hormonal fluctuations, certain neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, a weakened immune system, and stress. Even the season of the year can contribute to the problem: Cold, dry winters are notorious for bringing on dandruff or making it worse.If dandruff flakes are greasy and yellow, the probable cause is the skin condition known as seborrheic dermatitis; seborrhea is usually associated with redness as well. Dry, thick lesions consisting of large, silvery scales may be traced to the less-common psoriasis of the scalp. These scaly conditions become a problem only if you scratch to the point of causing breaks in the skin, which can place you at greater risk for infections, particularly from staph and strep bacteria.

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is a shedding of the skin on the scalp that leads to white flakes on the head, neck, and shoulders.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff may be caused by a form of a skin condition called eczema, which causes increased shedding of normal scalp skin cells. Dandruff can also be caused by a fungal infection. Hormonal or seasonal changes may make dandruff worse.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms of dandruff include white, oily-looking flakes of dead skin in your hair and on your shoulders and an itchy, scaling scalp. Your scalp can be either excessively dry or oily.

How is it treated?

Home treatment often helps prevent and get rid of the symptoms of dandruff.

Use an antidandruff shampoo

 A variety of shampoos are available, containing different ingredients. Trying several will help you find out which antidandruff shampoo is most effective for you. Shampoo daily to prevent a build up of dead skin cells on your scalp. If an antidandruff shampoo helps stop dandruff for a while but the dandruff problem returns, try a different antidandruff shampoo. Alternate antidandruff shampoos with regular ones if you are worried about the effects of antidandruff shampoos' harsh chemicals on your hair.

Rub your scalp

When you wash your hair, lather once, rinse, then lather a second time and rub your scalp vigorously as you shampoo. This will help dislodge excess cells. Be careful not to rub so energetically that you damage your scalp.

Let it soak

After you lather the second time, let the medicated shampoo sit on your head for 5 minutes. This will give the antidandruff shampoo time to work.

Rinse well.

This will help get rid of all the cells you have loosened up during shampooing.

Boost Thin Hair with Silicone
Thin, lifeless hair is one of the most common hair complaints, yet few women know the best remedy. Heavy conditioners just leave hair limp. A better bet is to use products with silicone, such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone. These coat the strands with a thin film, creating fuller hair that doesn't look greasy. The silicone stays put even after you rinse.

Eat Fish and Nuts for Healthy Hair
The same nutritious foods that are good for your body promote stronger, healthier hair. The protein and omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and nuts produce a healthier scalp. Nutrients found in leafy vegetables, beans, and carrots are also good for your hair. Beware of fad diets aimed at quick weight loss. Deficiency of some nutrients, such as zinc, biotin, or protein, can lead to brittle hair or hair loss.

Protect Shine with Lukewarm Water
Hot water can strip the scalp of sebum, which is the protective oil that acts as a natural conditioner and gives hair its shine. This doesn't mean you have to suffer through cold showers to avoid dull hair. Instead, use lukewarm water to wash your hair. Pamper the scalp by massaging it while you shampoo.

Mend Split Ends with Protein
Frequent hair styling, coloring, bleaching, or perming can damage hair's protective outer layer, known as the cuticle. The result is what we call "split ends." Thankfully, there are hair products to help mend the damage. Look for conditioners that contain protein. They actually penetrate the hair shaft and repair split ends. The fix only lasts until the next shampoo, so you'll need to use it regularly.

Get that 'Redhead Bounce'
The fullness of your hair is in your genes -- and your styling technique. Natural redheads have thicker hair, while blondes have the thinnest but greatest number of hairs. Luckily, you can enhance your hair's volume whatever its color. Use a leave-in conditioner or mousse and dry the root area first. If your hair is very fine, use a low-heat setting when drying, curling, or straightening.

Don't Treat Dandruff with Oils
Dandruff isn't caused by a dry scalp, but by an inflammatory process that affects the scalp. Rubbing oil into the scalp can make the inflammation worse, resulting in more unsightly white flakes. That's why medicated shampoos -- either over-the-counter or from a dermatologist -- can best treat dandruff. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly after using medicated shampoo.

Skip High-Powered Blow Dryers
You might expect a blow dryer with higher wattage to slice a few precious minutes off your styling routine. But in a comparison of blow dryers,Consumer Reports found they all dried hair in about the same amount of time. Some are much noisier than others, though. The consumer research group found the more expensive dryers were the quietest, and the noisiest were as loud as a lawn mower.

Brush Less to Limit Hair Loss
Don't believe that myth about 100 brush strokes a day. Too much brushing will snap off hairs. Some hair loss is normal -- most people lose an average of 50 to 100 hairs every day. These are hairs that have stopped growing and have reached the resting stage. To minimize additional hair loss, use a brush with ball-tipped bristles and avoid brushing while the hair is wet.

Avoid Styles that Damage Hair
Tight ponytails and braids can break off hair and damage the hair follicle. Continuous pulling can even lead to hair loss. Extensions add weight to the hair and also put pressure on the follicle. Dermatologists recommend wearing extensions for no more than three months. Also, be aware that wet hair is more fragile, so you shouldn't put your hair in braids or a ponytail while it's wet.

Don't Let Brands Clean Your Wallet
What are you really getting for extra money spent on specialty products? They may contain natural botanicals, but that may not mean better style.Consumer Reports tested products on 1,700 ponytail samples and found that the more expensive shampoos didn't perform better than cheaper ones. What is important: Choose shampoos and conditioners designed for your hair type, such as those for oily, fine, or color-treated hair.

Use Gentle Color to Cover Grays
Hair doesn't only go gray as we get older -- it also becomes weaker and grows more slowly. That means damaged hair won't be snipped off as quickly by haircuts. Chemicals used on "mature" hair should be weaker to avoid damage, says Don Capellani.

Neutralize Frizz in Winter, Too
Humidity gets the rap for causing frizzy bad hair days. But there's more static electricity in low humidity. This means frizz also flies in winter months and in the desert climates of the Southwest. Use conditioner to neutralize the static electricity. Shampoos that are pH-balanced also can calm the frizz of chemically treated hair.

Keep Brushes Away from Your Curls
Curly hair is more likely to break and become dry and brittle. Gently using a pick keeps curls looking better than combing or brushing. Conditioners with polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone can smooth hair and make it more manageable. Don't overdo the use of flat-irons and relaxers, which can damage hair.

Avoid Extreme Color Changes
Perhaps you're a brunette who always wanted to be a blonde, or a blonde who wants to go darker. Be aware that you're risking damage to your hair with more extreme color changes. Some dermatologists recommend staying within three shades of your natural color.

Get the Facts About Hair Dye
Frequent dying can damage the hair, but it does not appear to harm your health. Most studies indicate no link between cancer and hair dyes, and in other studies the evidence is weak, the American Cancer Society says. The greatest concerns were raised about semi-permanent and oxidative permanent dyes that are dark brown or black. Consider using natural dyes such as henna.

Give the Blow Dryer a Rest
Frequent blow-drying is hard on your hair and can actually lead to hair loss. When you do blow dry, turn down the heat. Finer hair is especially sensitive to damage from heat, but even thick manes need some tender care. Protect your hair before styling by using a conditioner.

Protect Hair from the Sun
The sun is no kinder to your hair than it is to your skin. Sun exposure can dry out hair, especially if it's color-treated. Use a light hair spray with SPF protection -- or wear a hat when the sun is strongest. Frequent summer trims can keep your ends looking healthy.

Shower Before You Swim
Avoid chlorine damage by rinsing your hair before entering the pool. If your hair is already saturated with water, it won't absorb as much from the chemical-laden pool. Use a pH-balancing hair product to further protect your hair.

Take a Time Out from Styling
For better hair days, the best thing you can do is -- nothing. All the tugging, combing, brushing, drying, and chemically treating of hair damages the shafts. Even vigorous towel-drying can damage hair. If you have damaged hair, take a break from styling. As the damaged hair grows out, the new growth will be healthy.

Be Aware of Changes in Your Hair
Sudden changes in your hair, such as brittle hair or hair loss, could be a sign of a health problem. For example, hair loss can be caused by thyroid disease, iron deficiency, or an autoimmune disease. Some medications can cause hair loss, too. If you have a concern about changes in the condition of your hair, see a dermatologist.

Salt and pepper, silver, pewter, charcoal. Whatever you call it, gray hair happens to all of us at some point. But why do some people go gray in their 20s, while others don’t see the first sign of silver until age 50? And if you’re going gray early, what should you do about it?

What’s 'Premature'

Hair goes gray when color-producing cells stop producing pigment. Naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide can also build up in the hair, bleaching the color.

Typically, white people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and African-Americans in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50.

A white person is considered to be prematurely gray if his or her hair turns gray by age 20; gray before 30 is early for African-Americans.

Medical Problem?

Contrary to popular belief, stress has not been definitively shown to cause gray hair. Scientists don’t know exactly why some people go gray early, but it’s largely determined by genetics.

Some autoimmune and genetic conditions are associated with premature graying, including vitiligo, Werner syndrome, and alopecia areata - which causes only the colored hairs to fall out and look like the hair turned white overnight.

A vitamin B-12 deficiency or problems with the pituitary or thyroid gland can cause premature graying that’s reversible if the problem is corrected.

Some research has suggested a connection between premature graying and lower bone density later in life. However, a 2007 study of about 1,200 men and women in Rancho Bernardo, Calif., showed this not to be the case.

“Your level of bone density is all related to activity level, your weight, your height, your ethnicity. It’s not really related to your hair or the things controlling the color of your hair,” says Don Capellani.

Hiding the Gray

There are lots of choices for concealing gray, says Don Capellani, owner of Salon Capellani in Highland, Indiana. They include:

1. Semi-permanent or demi-permanent color: Lasts a few weeks and is a good option for people just starting to see gray.

“If you have a lot of your natural colors running through, you don’t want to take that away,” Capellani explains. “You can just blend it without disrupting what you already have that’s already beautiful and natural.”

2. Highlights: Scattered strands are lightened to blend the gray with the rest of your hair.

3. Once you have 45% to 50% gray, Capellani suggests using permanent color. Some clients leave some gray around their face to make a statement.

4. Hair products: If you don’t want to dye but still want to conceal the gray, King suggests a coloring tool such as spray-on airbrush hair makeup, which washes out with a shampoo.

Embracing the Gray

More young mothers, professionals, and even runway models are opting to “go gray".

“The myth that gray hair makes you old is just that -- a myth. If you were young, vibrant, active, healthy pre-gray, you're still going to be that way. It's all in the attitude you bring to it,” Capellanil says. “If you think of it as merely another color choice, you won't be afraid of gray.”

“If you look at an Anderson Cooper or a Steve Martin or men who have historically gone gray early, I think they look terrific and it becomes almost an iconic differentiation for them,” Capellani says. “The same is true for women, but ... we’ve been brainwashed into believing gray is unattractive and undesirable.”

These simple tips can help you go gray with style:

1. If you’ve been dyeing, consider going “cold turkey” with a chic, short haircut.

2. Work with a colorist to weave in highlights and use toners to minimize the transition line between your natural hair color and your former hair dye, Capellani says.

3. Get a modern haircut. Capellani recommends a style with sharper edges, such as “a graduated bob of some type, some really smooth bangs, a really nice fringe.”

4. Take care of your hair. Shampoos with a blue base can help prevent gray hair from developing a yellowish cast, says Capellani, who offers a list of products at www.saloncapellani.com/products. Using a conditioning mask once a month keeps hair well-moisturized.
5. Use a flat iron to make your hair look sleeker and shinier. Gray hair tends to get frizzy, and “a flat iron on your hair brings back the luster to it,” Capellani explains.

6. Enjoy your life. “Beauty is not determined by the color of a woman’s hair,” says Don Capellani, a silver-haired model for Ford Models Inc. and CEO of Boom! By Cindy Joseph makeup line. “The ability to take joy in her life is what makes a woman truly beautiful.”