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Noticing that your strands are falling out more than usual? The products you use on your hair greatly impact its overall health and appearance. That’s why it’s important to make sure that everything in your haircare arsenal is designed to nourish and revitalize your scalp and strands, especially when it comes to your go-to shampoo.
Experts say that it’s best to avoid shampoos that contain sodium chloride. While it isn’t a toxic ingredient, it is extremely dangerous to the health of your hair.
This ingredient is used to make the consistency of hair thicker, but it's known to be quite damaging for those with sensitive scalps; it can exacerbate the condition of your scalp and make it drier and itchier, which can lead to hair loss and breakage.
In fact, New York City dermatologist Neil Sadick tells Allure that using any shampoo that contains "dyes and preservatives, like parabens and synthetic fragrances" should be avoided. Instead, he recommends opting for formulas that will help strengthen the strands and help establish a healthier scalp.
"An ideal shampoo for thinning hair needs to not only improve the volume of your strands but also encourage growth and circulation of hair follicles,” he says.
Look for shampoos that contain amino acids and other nourishing ingredients to rebuild your hair and prevent further damage and breakage.
"Amino acids provide the building blocks to build new strands, while biotin, part of the B-vitamin complex, is required by hair to metabolize amino acids and can help strengthen hair,” Sadick explains. “Antioxidants such as vitamin E and ginseng are beneficial to promote hair growth because they reduce free radicals from sun, stress, or overprocessing and have anti-inflammatory properties.”