If you struggle with thinning hair and fallout then it’s more than likely you’ve already begun to modify your haircare routine in order to identify the root of the cause. Hair loss can stem from a number of factors, and whether it be genetic or stress and anxiety, it can be frustrating to feel helpless to your listless locks. However, while there are outside sources which may be causing your hair loss and are out of your control, there are other factors such as the products you may be using that can actually be sparking fallout as well.
Seeing as your hair product usage is the only thing which is in your control, it stands to reason that you should evaluate the ingredients you’re using on your strands before taking a more serious course of action. If you’ve been suffering from unexplained hair loss it may be a good time to audit the products you’re applying to your locks, because experts agree that there’s one item in particular which may be making things so much worse.
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As a general rule, it’s best to avoid using heavy styling products that may be weighing down your already weak strands, causing them to break and fall out. With that, hair gel, in particular gels which contain sulfates or parabens, should be left out of your hair care routine to preserve your locks while you work to find a solution to improve their strength. “Using hair gel to slick the front of the hair is something you want to avoid - especially if you suffer from hair fall in the front of your head or temple area,” warns hair expert Ghanima Abdullah.
Hair gel is often loaded with an array of chemicals which can be potentially harmful to your hair, and if you have particularly weak strands to begin with, this can increase the rate of breakage. “Slathering sticky chemicals onto the scalp means that same stickiness enters the hair follicles. This can cause hair to fall and give it real problems when it's time for new hair to exit the hair follicles,” says Abdullah. More specifically, sulfates and parabens which can be found in gels and other strong hold hair products are often the major culprits behind hair loss due to their harsh effects on the strands.
While typically included in hair products to act as preservatives, parabens and sulfates can break down the hair due to their unnatural origins. “Sulfates are commonly used in dishwashing soap and paint remover--this harmful chemical can penetrate the skin barrier and degenerate cell membranes and proteins on your scalp,” explains beauty expert Adina Mahalli. “Parabens have also been known as endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with your hormonal system, leading to hair thinning.”
If you see that your hair gel includes any of such ingredients, it’s best to throw the product away immediately in order to limit future fallout until you can find a solution. Instead, opt for products which feature ingredients such as vitamin E, amino acids, and vitamin B to help rebuild and strengthen your locks without aggravating the issue.
Hair loss may have a number of potential causes, but until you can pin down the one that’s the culprit for you, eliminating heavy styling products rife with harsh chemicals is a great intermediate step to preventing worsening fallout. Paying attention to the ingredients list of any hair product you purchase is essential for limiting thinning strands, so keep an eye out for parabens and sulfates which can only work to exacerbate the issue. While your gel may not be the primary cause of your hair loss, taking it out of the equation will certainly help as you work towards regrowth.
