4 Chemicals in Shampoo That Cause Hair Loss
Before you start blaming your genetics for your hair loss, you may want to consider your hair washing products. The true culprit of your hair loss may be right in front of you: your shampoo and conditioner.
Hair washing products contain numerous ingredients that are meant to lift impurities from the scalp and leave your hair feeling clean and weightless. However, some ingredients in shampoo and conditioner may be doing the opposite of what you hope for, such as damaging your hair and causing hair loss.
Here are four chemicals that shouldn’t be on your shampoo label.
Sulfates
Sulfates are chemicals that are used as a cleansing or foaming agent. Many cleaning products contain sulfates, including detergents, cleansers, toothpastes and shampoos. The purpose of sulfates is to work deeper into the hair, removing any dirt and excess oil that has built up on the scalp.
However, sulfates may be too effective at cleaning. This means that sulfates may strip your scalp of the natural protective oils, leaving the hair dry and brittle, which may contribute to hair loss. The two most common sulfates you want to avoid are sodium lauryl sulfates and sodium laureth sulfates.
Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride, also known as table salt, is used in shampoo and conditioner as a thickening agent. It is what creates that rich and creamy feel to most self-care products. But don’t let that appealing sensation be the reason you purchase certain hair products. Similar to sulfates, sodium chloride can strip your hair of its natural oils, which can cause a dry, itchy scalp and possibly hair loss.
Parabens
Parabens are chemicals that are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic products. They are used in cosmetics to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. However, parabens may disrupt the normal function of the hormone system in both males and females, which may encourage hair loss.
If that isn’t enough to steer you away from parabens, several studies have also found that parabens can “harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer.”
Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) are two chemicals you should be aware of on your shampoo labels. These chemicals can harm your hair’s natural keratin, a protein that already exists in your hair that forms a protective shield around the hair shaft. When your hair follicles don’t have enough protein, you may start to notice your hair shedding or thinning.
How Can I Treat My Hair Loss?
Always check the ingredients on your hair products, and if they make this list, then you may want to consider switching shampoos. If changing your hair products hasn’t made a difference, LaserCap Company, creators of The Original LaserCap technology, can help.
