The first thing to note is that there are rarely emergencies that require you to make a decision between using shower gel on your hair or nothing. This is because, despite what many people think, your hair doesn’t need washing every day. In fact, it can be detrimental to your hair as it is more likely to be damaged. That said, there will be times when you need to wash your hair. It may be because it’s been several days or because you have something in your hair that needs to be got out quickly. If this is the case and all you have available is shower gel, you’re going to have to decide if it’s worth using it.
By Team Savant
Image: Tim Mossholder
The simple answer is no. You’re better off waiting and getting to the store as soon as you can to buy a good-quality product, such as one from the Kerastase range. This will nourish your hair while washing it and leave it looking great.
The Problem With Shower Gel
Shower gel looks the same as shampoo, a medium viscosity liquid with a hint of colour. But take a look at the ingredients and you’ll find they are very different. Shower gel generally uses milder ingredients as it seeks to remove the natural oil from your skin. Your skin is not usually dirty, hence the mildness of the shower gel. If the oil isn’t removed from your skin then it will allow debris and dead skin cells to collect, blocking your pores and creating an outbreak of spots.
In contrast, shampoo is designed to remove excess oil, but to leave some as it should be brushed through your hair. Oil coats your hair and helps it to retain nourishment and moisture. Using shower gel on your hair will strip the natural oils, weakening your hair.
Protection
Shampoos are designed to coat your hair, protecting it from damage, specifically the damage caused by hair products and hair dyes. Your shower gel doesn’t offer any protection from these things, it simply strips the hair, while weakening it.
pH Levels
You may not know this but most shampoos have a pH of between 4 and 6. Shower gels tend to have a pH between 5 and 6.5. In other words, using a shower gel on your hair can negatively affect the pH balance. This can cause rashes, redness, and an itchy scalp. That’s certainly not a desirable outcome.
The Bottom Line
In an emergency, with no other option available, it would be best to simply rinse your hair in water and then get your shampoo as soon as possible. However, if rinsing it doesn’t do the job you’ll have to use the shower gel and then shampoo it as quickly as possible afterward.
If you have used shower gel in an emergency situation you need to give your hair a shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer to help it recover. This will ensure it looks and feels great without any damage being caused. But, this only works if you’ve washed it in shower gel once, not every day.