Shampoo

Q: How often should I wash my hair?

Whenever your scalp is oily or itchy. Daily is fine if your scalp is oily; every three or four days suits a dry scalp. Deliberately "training" your scalp to produce less oil by not washing doesn't work.

Q: Is sulfate-free better?

Better for dry scalps, coloured hair and daily washers. Otherwise it's just gentler cleansing, which isn't automatically an advantage.

Q: My scalp is oily but my ends are dry. What do I buy?

Shampoo for the oily scalp, conditioner and a weekly mask for the dry ends. That combination is extremely common and needs two different products, not one compromise.

Q: Does anti-dandruff shampoo need to be permanent?

Usually you use it until it clears, then a couple of times a week to keep it away. Dandruff is managed rather than cured, and it tends to return if you stop entirely.

Q: Why does my hair feel worse after switching shampoo?

Give it three or four washes. Switching from a silicone-heavy formula in particular can feel worse before it feels better, because you're seeing your actual hair rather than a coating.

Shampoos matched to your scalp — oily, flaky, dry or shedding — including anti-dandruff formulas from Vichy Dercos and fortifying options from Kérastase. Leave dry ends to conditioner and treatments.

Looking for something specific? See our guides to the best sulfate-free shampoos in Egypt and the best shampoo for colored hair.