Do Sulfate Shampoos Really Damage the Hair?

Do Sulfate Shampoos Really Damage the Hair? 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.

 

Preventing Breakage from Ponytails and Buns

Preventing Breakage from Ponytails and BunsPonytails and buns have become infamous because of their ability to cause hair breakage and affecting its thickness. However, for many women, these are the two perfect hairstyles that match their age and suit their looks. If you belong to this group of women, here are some tips to continue wearing your hair in these styles while preventing breakage.

Never Style Tangled Hair

One of the worst things you can perhaps do is to pull tangled hair into a ponytail or bun. If you do so, you’ll probably end up with a rat’s nest, which is a nuisance when you have to detangle it. To avoid such a hairy mess, calmly detangle your hair with your fingers before styling or wash your hair and dry it before pulling it through a ponytail or bun.

Avoid Styling Soaking Wet Hair

Hair is at its most delicate state when it’s wet. So it’s never a good idea to put your sopping wet tresses into a ponytail or bun. The least you could do is to wait for your hair to become a little dry before you style it.

Moisturize Your Dry Hair before Styling

If you want to put your hair into a ponytail or a bun, make sure that you moisturize your hair before you do so. Dry hair is prone to breakage, whereas moisturized hair is more workable and less likely to break.

Use a Satin or Silk Scarf for Slick Edges

After applying either gel or wax, immediately put on a silk scarf for approximately five minutes.  If the edges of your hair don’t seem to be smooth enough, try using a different product or moisturizer.

With these tips in mind, you won’t have to worrying about never wearing a ponytail or bun again. Just remember to use a protective style to also promote hair growth and ensure less breakage.

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