ISHRS’ Dr. Robert Dorin sat down with Lois Joy Johnson of AARP to discuss hair loss and causes. Surprisingly there are certain ingredients in shampoos and conditioners that can cause hair thinning and slow hair growth.
Dr. Dorin recommends checking your label and avoiding these additives: Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) which is used to create foamy lather “strips hair of essential oils, breaks down protein essential for hair health and halts growth.
Sodium chloride (better known as table salt) is used as a thickener in products containing SLS, but it can cause dry, itchy scalp and encourage hair loss. Polyethylene glycol (also known as PEG, polyethylene or polyoxyethelyne) is another thickener that strips hair of moisture. If you’re undergoing salon keratin treatments, these ingredients undo the benefits.”
‘Formaldehyde and parabens are used to increase shelf life of the product however parabens can affect hormonal balance, encouraging hair loss’ says Dorin.
More obvious scalp irritants like alcohol or greasers such as lanolin, petroleum or mineral oils prevent the natural oils to absorb by weighing down the hair.
Dr. Dorin says it’s impossible to avoid all the ingredients mentioned however stay away from those that are causing your hair and scalp the most damage. Remember, ingredients listed first have the highest percentage in the product. Look for more natural healthy hair products.