If you are suffering from hair loss, there are can be many reasons behind it, the major ones being the frequent use of hair dyes, stress, and genetic factors. But there is another factor which most people ignore, but which just might be the main culprit behind your hair loss. It is a huge amount of harmful chemicals present in your very own shampoo.
Therefore, it is essential to read the labels on shampoos and if they contain any harmful ingredients it is best to avoid them. There are many such chemicals present in shampoos, but the following five are the most damage-causing and responsible for hair loss.
1. Sulfates
Sulfates are inorganic and strong detergents used in many cleansing products including most of the modern-day shampoos. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate makes your hair all frizzy and prone to breakage. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which produces a considerable amount of bubbly lather, is actually stripping away your natural and essential hair. Sulfates are a major cause of hair loss.
You should consider a clinically-proven hair shampoo instead a picking random one. These shampoo are got FDA approval that doctors recommends to them who are going through hair loss problems.
2. Fragrants
If your hair shampoo has “fragrance” on their label it is evident that they contain many hidden and harmful chemicals. Synthetic perfumes in shampoos are apparently intended to make your shampoo more pleasant to use, but the effects are anything but that. Many Dermatologists agree that synthetic fragrances can act as endocrine disruptors and cause damage to certain hormones and it is a known fact that hormone levels have a direct link to hair loss and growth. These fragrances can also cause dermatitis (skin rashes). Read this report.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most common chemicals found in hair care products, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe, especially if it is present in high concentration. Alcohol can severely dehydrate your hair. Most forms of alcohol like denatured, Isopropyl, and Propanol have a parching and drying effect on your hair. Alcohol in shampoos can also irritate your scalp. This chemical is also known to leave your hair frizzy and brittle. Which in turn leads to hair loss. One thing to mention is that some forms of alcohol such as Cetearyl alcohol and Stearyl alcohol are not so harmful and might even retain some moisture in your hair.
4. Parabens
Parabens, commonly used as preservatives to prevent bacteria growth and to prolong shelf-life in shampoos, can cause an extreme level of hair loss. They also have a link to disrupting the hormonal system of your body. They can also cause mood swings and allergic reactions in some people. All of these lead to hair loss. Methylparaben and Propylparaben are particularly harmful. Parabens are not so common now in modern products, but if you purchase your shampoo from an unknown source, it is important to check for this chemical in the ingredients.
5. Sodium chloride
Sodium chloride (also known as table salt) is actually the most natural ingredient found in shampoos and yet, it is harmful in some ways. If your scalp is sensitive, sodium chloride will harm it further. It can also cause itchiness in the scalp. Sodium chloride will definitely have a drying effect on your hair shaft and this dryness can lead to breakage and hair loss, especially if you’re using such a shampoo daily.
