What type of shampoo and conditioner should I recommend to a patient who is experiencing hair loss due to hair breakage?
A. Hair breakage typically results from a weakened hair shaft due to permanent chemical alterations, such as permanent waving, chemical straightening, or dyeing. The hair shaft is generally missing a significant number of the cuticular scales and has experienced alkali damage. No procedure that permanently alters the color or shape of the hair shaft can do so without inducing decreased tensile strength. There are a variety of products marketed with the wording that they are designed for damaged or chemically treated hair. What is unique about these products? Usually the shampoos for damaged hair are mild cleansers designed to gently clean without removing all of the sebum from the hair shaft. Sebum is important to damaged hair to decrease static electricity, improve manageability, and increase shine. Chemically treated hair feels rough and appears dull if all of the sebum has been removed. Yet, the shampoo must remove some of the sebum, if the hair is to appear clean. Thus, conditionin
