Are professional salon products really better than drugstore products?

If you've ever had your hair cut in a salon, undoubtedly you've had, at one point or another, a stylist recommend professional hair care products for your hair. There are lots of mixed opinions out there, on both sides of "the chair." Some folks feel pressured and uncomfortable when a stylist suggests products for them, others realize the benefit of having personalized, professional recommendation. On the other hand, some stylists are uncomfortable suggesting home care products and feel that they don't want to be "pushy," while others feel that making home-care recommendations is part of the professional service.

And on either side is the debate; are professional products really so different?

Honestly, in my professional opinion, yes, they are. Not that the "over the counter" products are bad, necessarily. In fact, there are plenty of high quality products out there that are value priced, widely available in large retailers (drug, grocery and department stores) and are perfectly able to adequately care for your hair. So what are the differences? I mean, shampoo is shampoo, right? How different can it be?
Think of it this way. Ever have a great loaf of home-made bread? Or a really great, fresh loaf of Mancini's Italian bread? Or even an art bread from a local bakery or Panera? Think of the texture, the taste, the aroma. Intoxicating, right?

Now, picture your favorite loaf of bargain bread from the grocery store. Wonder, or even a generic brand. No comparison to the carefully baked specialty bread. So what's the difference? Bread is bread. It all has the same stuff in it- flour, yeast, salt... uh... whatever else goes in bread. (I am clearly not a baker.) All the same ingredients, more or less. So why are some breads so much different?Ingredients and process.

It's the same with hair care products. Sure, shampoo is shampoo is shampoo, but professional brands use the highest quality ingredients, cutting edge technology and a more refined process, producing a product that is simply a better version.

And, the best reason I can give in favor of salon products is the personalized, professional recommendation of your stylist. Your hairstylist knows your hair, and knows the products on the shelf. Your stylist will be able to suggest exactly the right combination of products to achieve what ever results you are looking for- everything from routine maintenance to dealing with oily or dry/fragile hair. Also, if you are having professional color done, it makes sense to protect your investment with a good quality home care regimen designed to make your color last longer and protect the integrity of your hair.

So next time you're in the salon chair, listen to the suggestions your stylist makes for your hair. If your stylist doesn't make suggestions, ask!!

This article originally appeared on the Pittsburgh Examiner website, May 10, 2009.

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