Consumers are growing more concerned about the ingredients available in their shampoos. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate especially has become a hot topic on all hair and beauty product forums. Many claim that this chemical compound is responsible for causing problems affecting both the scalp and hair itself. Question is: is there truth to these claims.

Sadly, the answer is yes.

Sulfates are commonly used as lathering agents in your shampoo. Their main purpose is to cleanse the hair from dirt and dust. However, using sulfate shampoos will get more than dirt. The chemical reacts with your scalp and hair, causing dangerous side effects you could do without. To give you an idea of what problems you can expect, here are four common side effects.

• Dry Hair – Your scalp and hair will be deprived of the essential oils that keep your hair moisturized.  As a result, it will go dryer than normal.
• Itchy Scalp – As your hair turns dry due to the addition of sulfate to your shampoo, you scalp may develop dandruff. As a result, it may start feeling tight and itchy.
• Hair Loss – Since your hair and the follicles suffer extensive damage, substantial hair loss will follow. You may start losing more hair quickly if you don’t rinse shampoo out of your hair.
• Fading of Hair Color – Sulfates are quite aggressive in nature. While they may be great for cleansing your hair, they can leave it dull and force you to live with faded locks.

So if you have a few sulfate shampoos in your bathroom, it’s about time that you dump them for a safer alternative. The simplest way to avoid this harmful ingredient is by screening the labels of your new shampoo before buying it. However, you can always choose a natural product instead to steer away from chemicals altogether.