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Beauty

The One Shampoo Dermatologists Say You Should STOP Using Because It Causes Hair Shedding

December 24, 2019 by Hannah Kerns
shefinds | Beauty
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When choosing a shampoo, it can be difficult to discern which ingredients promote hair growth and which do the opposite. Many popular ingredients found in shampoos can lead to hair fall out and shedding. So if you are dealing with thinning hair, checking your shampoo for these ingredients could be a good start to resolving your problems.

Read on for the shampoo ingredients you need to stay away from to prevent hair loss.

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Sulfate

One of the worst shampoo ingredients for hair loss is sulfate. According to Erum Ilyas, dermatologist at Montgomery Dermatology, "Ingredients in shampoos that can lead to a higher risk of hair breakage and possible loss are ones that strip the hair of its natural oils, surfactants in particular. The one most hear about tends to be sodium laureth sulfate."
 
If you are struggling with hair loss, check your shampoo for sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate

shampoo in hair

Sodium Chloride

If you have a sensitive scalp, sodium chloride can make your scalp dry and itchy. This in turn can lead to hair damage and breakage.

 

With that in mind, if your shampoo contains sodium chloride, that can be a contributing factor to your hair loss struggles.

thin hair mirror

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is another shampoo ingredient you should stay away from. Although a common ingredient in many skincare products, it has been linked to cancer and major skin reactions (including hair loss).

 

Despite being banned in many countries, it is still found in US products under a variety of names, including ormaldehyde, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol) and glyoxal. If any of these are listed on your shampoo bottle, it's time to find a replacement.

shampoo bottle

Sticking to shampoos with natural ingredients is a good start to making sure your shampoo is not the culprit behind your hair loss. If you love your current non-natural shampoo, double check the ingredients for any of these because they may be hurting the health of your hair and causing unnecessary shedding.

Author:

Associate Editor

Hannah Kerns pitches and writes compelling stories for SheFinds' readers. When she isn't listening to podcasts or catching up on true crime, she covers the latest in beauty, health, fashion, and celebrity news. To reach Hannah, email hannah@shefinds.com.

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Vitamins and supplements arranged neatly on a shelf.
Woman applying sunscreen for sun protection outdoors.
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Getting a lob haircut at a trendy salon.
Mature skin foundations for healthier beauty routine
Importance of wearing sunscreen for skin protection
High-protein dip made with chicken, chickpeas, and eggs
Long hair being cut in a salon setting