Shampoo wash day can be triggering when you’re suffering from hair loss. Standing under the flowing water and letting the dirt and grime rinse away feels amazing, but it all comes crashing down to earth when you see the loose hair in the drain once you’re done.
Unfortunately, some of the products you depend on to keep your hair clean, might actually be causing additional hair loss, actually making your shedding worse. Sadly many mainstream brands use not so good for you ingredients to boost their bottom line—making a bigger profit at the expense of your hair’s health.
We’re here to help, with a comprehensive list of the hair-harming ingredients that might be worsening your hair loss—and the products you need to get your hair’s health back on track.
Hidden Dangers in Shampoo
Silicones
Often listed as amodimethicone, dimethicone, or dimethiconol, silicones in hair products come in many forms, all of which can do some serious damage to thinning hair.
Some experts believe that silicones can build up on your strands over time, no matter how thoroughly you rinse after washing. This build up will begin to clog hair follicles, strangling your strands and increasing hair shed.
But it’s not just your scalp you need to worry about. Silicones can also build up on your strands over time. If you have fine hair, this buildup can cause it to be weighed down, looking limp, greasy, and even thinner than it really is.
Sulfates
Also listed as SLS, sodium laurel sulfate is an ingredient you’ll find included in many shampoos. SLS and other sulfates are popular because they create a substantial lather, making you feel like you’re getting your strands especially clean.
But that deep clean feeling might be too much of a good thing. Because sulfates are designed to strip your hair of dirt and oil, experts say they also have the potential to rid your scalp and strands of the moisture they need to flourish, leaving your hair dry and damaged.
Your hair needs to retain a little natural oil to stay moist and look its best. Without it, your strands may take on a straw like appearance and break more easily, as your scalp gets dried out and irritation prone.
Phthalates
Love that fresh, fragrant, soapy shampoo smell? Thank phthalates. These chemicals are used as perfume fixatives and solvents, and give most mainstream shampoos their signature scent.
However that sweet smell comes at a high cost, as dermatologists and other experts warn that these chemicals may do serious damage to your hair, as well as your body as a whole.
Phthalates may have a detrimental impact on the hormones within your body, leading to hair shedding and loss. Hormone balance is essential for the health and wellness of your strands, and when they’re out of balance your strands will likely suffer.
When you use products that rely on phthalates, your whole body could suffer from these hormonal imbalances, leading to detrimental effects for your hair and whole body health.
Parabens
Often included in shampoo formulas as a way to lengthen shelf life, parabens do a great job limiting the growth of mold and other nasty or harmful substances while the bottle is on the shelf.
However, that preserving power comes at a cost for your hair and overall health. Some experts, including the American Contact Dermatitis Society, believe that you should avoid paraben exposure, as they may be unsafe.
When you expose your hair to these chemicals, these experts believe they may be able to sink into the skin, causing scalp irritation and increasing hair loss.
Formaldehyde
Although it’s not present in all shampoos, ingredients that release formaldehyde are surprisingly common in hair strengthening treatments and products intended to strengthen your strands.
These ingredients are popular because they protein bond to your hair shaft, patching damaged areas and creating a smoothing effect.
However, experts caution that these effects are short lived. In the long term, these ingredients can cause extreme irritation to your scalp and hair, as well as hair loss.
How to get back your hair health
Noticing the effects of these harsh ingredients on your strands? Don’t panic. It’s possible to get those hair growth gains back with healthy lifestyle changes and a new product routine.
Try eating the rainbow of fruits and veggies every day, as well as consuming healthy fats from nuts, olive, and coconut oils. Reduce stress as much as possible, and eliminate those nasty ingredients from your routine. Adding in to your routine, chemical free shampoo, conditioner, or a vegan, cruelty-free hair serum that fans say has done wonders for their hair health, can also support the increased full appearance of your strands.
By staying away from these harmful ingredients, and switching to a hair healthier routine, your hair health will be back on track in no time.
