This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
There are many potential causes of hair loss–ranging from genetics to stress to unhealthy shampoos. With that in mind, if you are experiencing hair loss, a good first step is checking the hair products you use regularly, specifically looking out for potentially harmful ingredients.
It may be surprising, but many popular hair products contain ingredients that could lead to hair and scalp damage. With that in mind, keep reading for the sneaky shampoo ingredient you should start avoiding!
Sulfates
Sulfates are one popular shampoo ingredient that you should keep an eye out for. Sulfates make the shampoo foam, but they can also harm your scalp and hair health.
According to Nutrafol, "Sulfates are very strong detergents that work through a chemical reaction, in which they bind with the sebum on our scalp and with water."
Although this helps clean dirt and oil out of the hair, it can also lead to some serious damage.
By stripping your hair of its natural oils, sulfates also make your hair more brittle and susceptible to damage and breakage.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are all common sulfates found in haircare products, and each can do serious damage.
With that in mind, if you are struggling with hair loss, check your shampoo bottles for these damaging ingredients.