If you are experiencing hair shedding and breakage you’re far from alone. It isn’t uncommon to shed hair from time to time, and for women this often becomes an occurrence when we are under stress, confronting hormonal changes that take place after pregnancy and before and during menopause, but it can happen at any age and for a variety of reasons (genetics is a big factor, as well). You may have always paid attention to the haircare products you use, but it’s more important than ever to analyze shampoo and conditioner ingredients when your hair is in a fragile state.
Some shampoos are better than others, and their price or fancy labels doesn’t always tell a complete story. To dig deeper, it’s important to look at the ingredients list. Avoiding these four shampoo ingredients can help — especially if you have compromised hair, as these ingredients can make fallout even worse.
1. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is most often found in straightening treatments like Brazilian blowouts, hair relaxers, and chemical treatments. Although it isn’t as typical to find it in you shampoo, these are the ingredients names to keep on your radar: DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, or Diazolidinyl Urea, which are formaldehyde-releasing preservatives that are sometimes added to products to extend their shelf life.
Formaldehyde damages your hair structure, can dry out strands, and create irritation on your scalp. All of these factors can contribute to hair shedding. This chemical is also classified as a human carcinogen and may damage your health.
2. Keratin
Shampoos that contain keratin can seem at first like they’re making your hair so much smoother, shinier, and healthier looking than ever. But with long-term use keratin can weigh down your hair, create buildup on your scalp that blocks hair follicles from growing properly, and strip your hair of its natural oils, which makes it dry and brittle.
3. Sodium Chloride
Sodium Chloride is often used as a thickening agent in shampoos (and especially shampoos that contain sulfates). According to Dermatologist Dr. Yoram Harth, MD, Medical Director of MDhair, this ingredient can “dry the scalp, causing redness and itching” and this scalp irritation can "damage hair follicles and cause more hair loss."
You can play it safe by avoiding all shampoos that contain sulfates.
4. Parabens
Parabens are synthetic preservatives often added to shampoo to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. You’ll see them referred to in ingredients’ lists as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Shampoos with parabens can cause product buildup on the scalp and may irritate your skin, as well. There are even some studies that show parabens and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals can cause hair thinning.
