Do Hair Products Cause Thinning Hair?

Not all hair products are created equal and they can be doing more harm than good, often leading to hair loss or thinning hair. It is widely known that hair thins as we age and that a little hair loss is expected every time we wash or brush our hair. There are various reasons for hair loss and thinning hair. But certain products and ingredients on the market today might actually be contributing to thinning hair, breakage, and hair loss such as sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.

Why Sulfate is bad for your hair

Sulfates are the ingredient in shampoos, conditioners and leave in conditioners that make it foamy and lather. While we may love the feeling of all of that lather while shampooing and even expect it, nevertheless, sulfates are chemical detergents and the reason why your eyes burn if you accidentally get shampoo in them.

Sulfates work by binding dirt and oil so they can be rinsed out of hair, but by doing so, they also strip your hair of all of the good oils which puts your hair into overdrive. When all of the oil is stripped from your hair, your body knows to make more, therefore hair gets oily again, causing you to wash it more and leading to a never-ending cycle of washing and hair damage.

Not only that, but sulfates can also fade hair color. Some of the most common sulfates are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) which are very aggressive and very powerful detergents that can irritate the scalp and cause hair loss. Sulfates are so strong that they also stress out hair follicles which weakens hair and impedes hair growth.

What is a Paraben and why is it bad for your hair?

Parabens are the “methyls and ethyls” in products that are used as preservatives and to extend the shelf life of products, but they are easily absorbed through the skin and have the ability to damage the scalp, dry out hair, and even cause hair loss.

Why are Phthalates Bad for Hair? 

Phthalates are commonly found in hairsprays and other hair products to help avoid stiffness. They create a flexible film on hair, but overuse of hairsprays and other hair products with phthalates can lead to buildup and scalp irritation.  While hair sprays and volumizers are designed to help hold hair in place, the phthalates in them can lead to hair breaking off.

How to care for thinning hair?

As part of your hair care routine, use high-quality products that have the least amount of chemicals and damage-causing ingredients. Do your homework and research ingredients. In order to promote hair growth and minimize thinning, your hair and scalp need to be free from potential damage-causing chemicals. Also, by using a leave-in conditioner like Daily Dose Leave-In Conditioner, you can help your repel irritants and maintain natural moisture levels to protect your hair from further damage. Daily Dose is FREE OF: Parabens, SLES and SLS Sulfates, Petrolatum, Phthalates, Gluten, Iron Oxides, Lead, Mineral Oil, Synthetic Colors, Nut Ingredients, and Palm Oil. It’s also 100% Vegan.

Author: Jessica Biggs

Jessica is a wife, mother, teacher, writer, and marketer. Like a moth to a flame, she is drawn to all things pretty, sparkly, and shiny and believes there is no such thing as natural beauty. When she is not working, in her spare time she dreams of the day where all she has to do is lay on a beach somewhere and endless frozen concoctions with little pink umbrellas are served to her on a silver platter. Until then, she will just settle for summers in the backyard. You can follow her on twitter @jessbiggs11 or Facebook @jessicadillardbiggs