Hair loss might seem like an unavoidable part of getting older, but the truth is that some types of hair thinning can be prevented, depending on the hair products you use. The(unfortunate) truth is that there are some common shampoo ingredients that actually work against you achieving a full and healthy head of hair. These ingredients clog your hair follicles, contributing to scalp irritation and eventual hair loss.
Keep reading for more details.
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Silicones
When it comes to hair loss, you've probably heard the warnings about silicones before. Hair products with silicone leave behind a residue. If used frequently (and without a clarifying shampoo), this problem only gets worse.
Dr. Orit Markowitz, board-certified dermatologist and founder of OptiSkin in NYC, explains to Byrdie, "[H]air products with silicone leave behind a residue in your hair and scalp which weighs it down, blocks your hair follicles, and can cause hair loss."
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Gretchen Freise, a BosleyMD certified trichologist, agrees. Plus, according to her, it can be difficult to rid your hair of this harmful buildup. Freise tells the outlet that "forms of silicone that aren’t water-soluble can be really hard to remove with just a regular wash and may require a clarifying shampoo."
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One type of silicone in particular makes the list of dangerous hair ingredients: dimethicone. According to the hair experts at Nutrafol, "Dimethicone is a type of silicone that is used in a ton of hair products and contributes to product buildup that makes your hair feel greasy."
"Since it acts as a protecting cover on the surface of the hair, it stops moisture and nutrients from coming in and instead collects dirt and residue. It can clog the pores on the scalp and cause skin irritation," the website continues.
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With that in mind, if you are suffering from scalp irritation and hair loss – and you think it's due to your shampoo – opting for a silicone-free product could be the first step for healthier hair.
