Have you ever wondered if your shampoo could be causing hair loss? With all the marketing hype out there about hair care products, it’s hard to be sure whether the shampoo you use is safe and effective. This short guide offers an unbiased primer on how it impacts your hair’s health.
How shampoo helps your hair and scalp
Washing your hair is good for scalp health.
Hair health depends on the health of the follicles. Once the hair shaft emerges from the follicle (the part of your scalp that your hair grows from), hair products will have little or no impact on it.
Washing with shampoo cleanses follicles of dead skin cells and contaminants. Good shampoos remove dirt, oils, and other potential obstacles to hair growth.
Massaging your scalp as you wash your hair is also beneficial. Massaging your scalp increases blood flow to the follicles, keeping them well-nourished and healthy.
How low-quality shampoo damages your hair
Increased drying and allergic reactions caused by low-quality shampoos may cause hair and follicle damage in some cases. However, a more significant concern is the use of chemical preservatives.
Without added preservatives, the fats and volatile ingredients in your shampoo would require refrigeration.
Some preservatives are less desirable than others.
Formaldehyde
High levels of formaldehyde can penetrate the scalp and reach the active parts of your hair follicles. This can damage follicles and cause slow or thinning hair growth.
Follicle damage from formaldehyde is only likely at high concentrations.
Parabens
Parabens prevent mold growth in shampoos. Parabens can be absorbed into the body, where they alter hormone levels by mimicking estrogen. An over-abundance of estrogen can cause slowing and thinning hair growth.
The four main types of parabens used in cosmetic products are:
Methylparaben
Propylparaben
Ethylparaben
Butylparaben
You should avoid shampoo that uses any of these four ingredients.
Best practices for using shampoo
Always use high-quality, paraben-free shampoo and rinse thoroughly with warm (not hot) water.
Once you find a shampoo that works, stick with it.
You may have heard that it’s bad to use the same shampoo for too long, but this is a myth. If you feel you aren’t getting the desired results, try changing the schedule of your routine rather than the shampoo you use.
Want to deep clean your scalp? Genesis II’s scalp treatment program can promote healthier, thicker hair. To schedule a free consultation call us at (315) 458-1074 or to contact us via email click here.
Photo Credit: SocialButterflyMMG Via Pixabay
