Struggling with hair thinning or excessive shedding? Your shampoo might be making it worse. According to experts, certain formulas can irritate the scalp, weaken hair strands, or even disrupt your follicles—leading to more breakage and fallout over time. The good news? Swapping out the wrong shampoo for the right one can make a major difference. Ahead, experts shares three types of shampoos to avoid if you’re dealing with hair loss
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1. Silicones
Silicones, commonly found in shampoos, are often portrayed as beneficial due to their ability to enhance shine and gloss, Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, dermatologist and writer at My Eczema Team, tells us.
However, Factor stresses, their detrimental impact on scalp health should not be ignored as they can stifle its ability to receive necessary nourishment. "Silicones in shampoo can cause hair loss by coating the scalp so that nutrients cannot be absorbed," she warns.
2. Sulfates
Having already thin, fine and delicate hair and adding harsh sulfate-based products can exacerbate or worsen hair loss.
“This harsh detergent, sodium lauryl sulfate [SLS] is a common ingredient in shampoos and conditioners and is known to strip away natural oils, leaving hair feeling dry, brittle, and damaged,” Lauren Udoh, hairstylist and Hair Creative Director of WigReports, says. This ingredient in conditioners can “also cause scalp irritation and hair loss.” Jean Will, co-founder of NiaWigs Inc., agrees, and adds that sulfates “are one of the most detrimental” ingredients that may be found in popular conditioners.
“Surfactants such as sulfates are used to remove debris and excess oil from the scalp,” she reiterates. “They can make your hair frizzy and trigger an allergic response to your scalp. Furthermore, when used for lengthy periods of time, they can cause hormone disruption,” she adds.
3. Sodium Chloride
According to Dr. Yoram Harth, MD, Medical Director of MDhair, sodium chloride, a frequent component of mass-produced shampoos, is not recommended for women who are experiencing hair loss or thinning.
Commonly used to thicken shampoos and conditioners, it can "dry the scalp, causing redness and itching," Harth notes, and this scalp irritation can "damage hair follicles and cause more hair loss."
