As with many items on the market, we place our trust in certain products we use daily, and hope that no harm will come to our health. Shampoo is no exception. And while it may seem as though shampoo can’t do that much harm to our hair, some shampoos contain ingredients that can be detrimental to your hair’s health and growth.
Rather than naming some big brands that put destructive chemicals in their products, below is a list of four ingredients you should stay far away from. The chemicals in shampoo can be more harmful than you think.
Table of Contents
Sulfates
That foamy texture you get when massaging shampoo into your hair and scalp is caused by sulfates in the shampoo. Sulfates are strong detergents that work by way of chemical reactions, in which they bind with water and the sebum on your scalp. Although the foaminess might be amazing, you should stay far away from sulfates in your shampoos.
Products with a high concentration of sulfates can lead to cell damage and can strip away natural oils and hair proteins. Your natural oils and proteins are what protect your hair from damage and brittleness. So, by using shampoos with this ingredient, you are allowing it to strip the shield from your hair. Sulfates also fade the color in your hair and increase the frizz.
Some examples of ingredients to look out for are sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), ammonium lauryl sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).
Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives in your shampoo to prevent bacteria from developing and growing, and although this might sound like a good thing, it is anything but.
Parabens can disrupt the normal hormonal cycle of the body, and can mimic the hormone estrogen. Parabens have also been suspected to be the cause of early puberty in girls.
Parabens are easily absorbed through the skin and scalp, making them harmful to your hair, health, and body. For men, products containing parabens may also cause low sperm count and testicular cancer. Specific names to look out for are butylparabens, propylparabens, and methylparabens, as well as Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates.
Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride, most commonly known as salt, can be found in shampoos, along with conditioners, to thicken the consistency. A thicker consistency allows an easier spread across the whole head of your hair. However, sodium chloride is considered an irritant and can be slightly hazardous. It promotes dryness among the hair and can make you develop an itchy scalp as well as develop dandruff.
Sodium chloride also strips moisture from your hair causing the natural protective barrier of your hair to be damaged. This will then lead to weak, brittle hair as well as hair thinning and potential hair loss. You should also watch out for this ingredient if you undergo keratin treatments, as it will be less effective.
Dimethicone
Dimethicone is a type of silicone that’s used in many shampoos and hair products, acting as a protective cover on the surface of your hair. But because it forms a sort of plastic-like barrier on the outside, it halts any moisture or nutrients from coming in and instead, collects dirt and residue. This contributes to product buildup that makes your hair feel greasy. Dimethicone also clogs the pores on the scalp and causes skin irritation.
Silicones are not water soluble, meaning simply rinsing them out with water will not remove them. This is why they can build up, and unfortunately, the ingredient that removes this harsh chemical is none other than sulfate based ingredients.
Other ingredients to stay far away from would be polyethylene glycols (PEG), diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA), formaldehyde, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, cocamidopropyl betaine, triclosan, and retinyl palmitate. Each of these ingredients can be extremely harmful to not just your body, but to the environment as well.
If you want to make it easier on yourself, rather than looking at the ingredient list on all the shampoo/ conditioner bottles, try using DHT blocking shampoos/conditioners.
Shampoo Recommendation
Kiierr shampoo not only stops hair loss by blocking the hormone DHT, but is also packed with incredibly healthy ingredients that stimulate hair regrowth. It also helps to maintain hair strength, boosts cellular metabolism in the scalp, and effectively stimulates micro-circulation which reactivates the hair’s natural life cycle.
Don’t waste your money on products that only cause damage to your hair! There are products out there that will make your hair healthy, strong, and vibrant without all the harmful ingredients.
Conclusion
Now that you know the ingredients to look out for in shampoo, hold yourself accountable to look at the ingredient label. Do not just buy shampoo because it smells good! What are some of your favorite shampoos to use?
Here is our choice: The best shampoos for hair growth.
Harmful Shampoo Ingredients FAQs
What ingredients are bad for your hair?
Shampoo ingredients that are bad for your hair consist of sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride and dimethicone.
Are chemicals in shampoo harmful?
The chemicals in your shampoo can potentially be harmful to your hair health. It is important to check the ingredient label before purchasing.
What is bad about sulfates in shampoo?
Sulfates are in charge of making the foam content on your scalp when mixed with water. If a shampoo contains a high sulfate concentration, your natural oils, moisture, and proteins can be stripped from your hair. Your hair needs these properties to protect itself and to remain healthy.
What are good ingredients in shampoo?
Good ingredients in shampoo are natural and hair growth stimulator ingredients. Shampoos that contain essential oils such as castor, peppermint, or coconut can be good for your hair.
