Whether it’s the promise to keep your curls bouncy, or leave a scent of coconut, there’s more to observe on your shampoo bottle than the front label. In fact, turn the bottle over and you may be surprised to discover the ingredients your putting on your hair and a top your scalp. While there are several ingredients to avoid, we wanted to call out one in particular that can leave your scalp feeling itchy and dry. This ingredient, is sulfate(s).
Your Doctor Doesn’t Like It
“The sulfate in shampoo is a cleansing ingredient that helps remove excess filth from your hair, including dirt, oil, and even dead skin from your scalp,” says Board-Certified Dermatopathologist Dr. Gretchen Frieling. As sulfates are popular ingredients incorporated into some shampoos (to amplify the cleansing effects), we should be aware of any negative repercussions we may face exposing our hair and scalp to it. According to Dr. Frieling, “the continued use of a shampoo with sulfate for your hair, can remove vital oils and proteins that help keep your hair natural. This can then lead to moisture loss and irritation to your scalp.” Yikes!
Your Stylist Doesn’t Like It
“There are two dangers of using shampoos with sulfates,” says Sky Kim, from Serge Normant Hair Salon in New York City. “First, it’ll strip the hair color, then leave your hair feeling dry & brittle.” Kim strongly suggest, that those individuals who color their hair often (or have a sensitive scalp) should avoid shampoos with sulfates – “as it will preserve their hair integrity not to use it.”
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