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There are a few reasons your shampoo might be doing more harm than good. You should try to choose products that fit the specific need of your hair, which can change depending on your hair type and scalp sensitivity.
With that in mind, keep reading for the shampoo ingredients you should be avoiding to keep your hair strong and healthy!
Fragrance
Staying away from artificial fragrances in all of your beauty products is a good idea particularly if you have sensitive skin and scalp.
Arsen Gurgov, celebrity hairstylist and founder of the Arsen Gurgov Salon, explained to Byrdie: "Many people suffer from sensitive scalps and cannot tolerate the harsh chemicals, fragrance, and detergents found in shampoo. Just like your skin, these ingredients can cause a rash and irritation, which can also lead to dandruff."
Alcohol
Although fatty alcohols in your hair products are not an issue, short-chain alcohols can wreak havoc on your hair.
The Chicago Tribune explains, "These alcohols evaporate quickly, but they take necessary moisture and oil along with them. These are the alcohols that leave your hair dry, brittle, and frizzy."
This can make your hair more susceptible to damage and breakage.
Sulfates
Sulfates, like short-chain alcohols, can strip your hair of essential oils, leaving it more dry, brittle, and weak. If you already have thin hair, this can lead to problems.
Plus, they can also lead to scalp irritation. Luckily, you do not need sulfates for clean hair.
Eric Schweiger, M.D., founder of Schweiger Dermatology Group, explains to Self, "It is possible to get hair clean without sulfates. With the lather from a sulfate, you don’t have to work as hard to cleanse your scalp. With a product that does not contain sulfates, you will need to do more of a rigorous massage on the scalp in order to get it clean.”
With these guidelines in mind, try to choose a non-irritating shampoo that can keep your hair strong and healthy without sacrificing cleanliness (or leading to any scalp irritation).
