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Taking care of your hair means buying products that won’t damage your hair or scalp or exacerbate any existing problems. Unfortunately, many hair products on the market do the opposite, and can even contribute to hair loss if you aren’t careful.
With that in mind, keep reading for the scary conditioner ingredients you need to stop buying ASAP!
Sulfates
Sulfates are common in hair products because they effectively clean the strands of any oil build up and dead skin cells. Unfortunately, they can be too harsh for some hair, which can lead to problems.
Self spoke to Eric Schweiger, M.D., founder of Schweiger Dermatology Group about how this occurs. According to the article, "The downside [of sulfates] is that they can also strip natural oils from the scalp and hair. That can make hair dry and brittle. And if your scalp is sensitive, sulfates can cause irritation like redness, dryness, and itching."
Fragrance
If there is "fragrance" on the ingredient list, throw it out.
According to Nutrafol, "Products that have 'fragrance' on their label can contain thousands of hidden chemicals. Some ingredients in fragranced cosmetic products can disrupt the reproductive system and cause cancer or asthma. They can also irritate the skin and scalp, which can lead to hair loss."
Silicones
Silicones are popular in conditioners because they can help hair look shinier. Unfortunately, they also tend to weigh down your hair, which can contribute to some problems.
Ron McLaughlin, vice president of research and development at Living Proof, told Mind Body Green: "The obvious drawback of all this is that you end up with hair that gets weighed down or greasy, so you are more likely to shampoo and style more often. This perpetuates what we call the cycle of damage. The more you wash and style, the more damaged your hair is, so the more you will feel like you need to reach for a silicone to get that soft feeling again."
With that in mind, sticking to hair products without these ingredients listed is a good way to keep your hair looking and feeling its best. Especially if you are worried about hair loss, it's essential to keep your scalp and hair healthy.
