Hair shedding happens. It can happen when you’re experiencing intense bouts of stress, after you’ve been sick, or as the result of certain medications. It can commonly happen as a result of hormonal fluctuations that occur after giving birth or before and during menopause. And, of course, hair loss can be hereditary, a condition called Androgenetic alopecia.
Even though hair loss is nothing to be ashamed of or feel bad about, few of us would want to actively contribute to it ourselves. Yet, that’s what we could be doing (without even knowing it) when we use certain products that can make hair shedding and thinning worse.
We typically think about shampoo and conditioner ingredients when we talk about products that intensity hair issues like shedding. But the list of no’s is a little longer than that.
These common hair care products can cause serious damage, including thinning and hair loss. For healthier, stronger hair, reconsider how you’re using them, especially if you are finding yourself prone to thinning and breakage.
1. Elastic Hair Ties
We all want to throw our hair up sometimes into a ponytail or bun and get on with the day, but the truth is: tight elastic hair ties aren’t doing your scalp or hair any favors. A tight tie can pull on the hair from your scalp, which can pull hair out at the root, as well as create friction when strands rub against one another, resulting in breakage.
You don’t have to shun your favorite updo, but swapping tight hair ties for looser ones (no rubber bands, please) or claw clips can help.
2. Heated Hair Curlers
Any time you add intense amounts of heat to your hair, you run the risk of damaging strands. Heated hair curlers can strip your hair of moisturize, roughen up the hair cuticle, and dry your hair, which can lead to breakage. There are a number of alternative hair curling methods you can use that don’t involve heat, such as heatless satin ribbons that create curls and waves overnight.
If prefer using heated curlers, make sure you always protect strands first with a heat protective spray.
3. Hair Gel
Not all hair gels are bad news, but some of them contain alcohol, which can dry out your hair and lead to damaged, brittle strands. Gels can also clog your hair follicles, and if not washed out well, this can get in the way of proper hair growth and lead to shedding. Also beware of products, including gels, that contain fragrances, which can also irritate the scalp and damage hair.
4. Shampoos With Sulfates
If you color your hair, you’ve no doubt been warned by your colorist a million times to not use shampoos that contain sulfates. These shampoos are bad news for a few reasons, including how they can strip color from hair more rapidly. Sulfates can be harsh on your hair, make strands more dry, and even weaken your hair’s protein structure. Over time, they can make your hair texture more frizzy as they strip hair of natural oils.
Always choose sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners and try not to over-shampoo your hair to retain as much moisture as possible.
