Shampoo can cause hair loss
Can shampoo cause hair loss: Myths and tips from hair experts.
While a little shedding during shampooing is fine, excessive shedding is worrisome. But can shampoo cause hair loss? Read on to know everything!
The shower seems relaxing until you start to see bits of your precious hair fall from your scalp. While it’s perfectly normal to shed some hair when you shampoo, red flags go up when your hair loss is severe. So, why does this happen? Is your shampoo causing hair loss? Will changing your shampoo stop hair loss? maybe not. Because it’s not the shampoo brand, but the ingredients in this particular formulation 3, that could be the main reason behind your excessive hair fall. Another point that needs attention here is how often you shampoo your hair and the amount of shampoo you use.
So, here in this article, we will highlight the ingredients in shampoo that can cause hair fall, a-k- the harmful ingredients you should avoid, some common myths about shampooing, you How often to shampoo, and tips to reduce hair loss. while shampooing. Read on!
Does frequent shampooing cause hair fall?
No – Frequent shampooing does not cause hair loss or hair loss. Interestingly, it is actually (naturally) normal to lose about 100 hairs per day. So, when you shampoo, it only separates your hair from the base of the follicle. Conversely, when you don’t shampoo, most of these detached hairs sit loose on your scalp, waiting to fall out until you wash or comb. Simply put, the less often you shampoo, the more hair you shed.
In fact, frequent shampooing promotes healthy hair by stimulating the scalp and creating optimal conditions for healthy hair growth.
Shampoo ingredients that cause your hair to fall out and should be avoided.
According to anecdotal reports, several ingredients in shampoo 1 (such as sulfates, mineral oil or petroleum, alcohol percentages, and preservatives) can weigh down your hair and contribute to excessive hair loss.
Below is a list of 7 shampoo ingredients that you should avoid 2 to reduce your hair fall.
Sulfate
Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate, are common ingredients added to shampoos around the world. These sulfates are powerful detergents with great foaming and cleansing properties. However, on the downside, these sulfates can make your hair dry, frizzy, limp and tangled, causing damage and hair loss. Additionally, sulfates also strip your hair of its natural oils, preventing healthy hair growth.
Sodium chloride
Sodium chloride (salt) is added to shampoo as a thickening agent. While excessive amounts of sodium chloride are fine for your scalp and hair strands (especially when you have an oily scalp), excessive amounts can cause itchiness, dryness, and excessive hair loss.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde, a preservative, is added to shampoos to increase product shelf life and maintain shelf stability. The maximum amount of this preservative in any cosmetic product is supposedly safe. However, high levels of formaldehyde can cause hair damage, allergies, hair loss and scalp rashes.
Additionally, shampoos contain a number of formaldehyde donors, i.e. chemical compounds. So, when you shampoo too often, these donors slowly release this preservative into the air, causing irritation and allergies in your eyes, lungs, nose, and scalp.
Although no clinical research has proven that formaldehyde is the only cause of hair loss and damage, it does cause hair loss along with other chemicals 4.
Wines
Alcohols (such as Cetearyl, Stearyl, and Cetyl) are added to many shampoos around the world. These alcohols, when mixed with sulfates, strip your natural oils and dry out your scalp and hair. This, in turn, once again causes excessive hair fall.
Propylene Glycol and Propylparaben
Propylene Glycol and Propylparaben are added to shampoos as a humectant that helps nutrients penetrate your scalp. However, too much humectant can irritate your scalp, resulting in hair loss. Also, it can disrupt your hormonal balance leading to less hair growth.
The fragrances
Artificial fragrances and colors should always be avoided, especially if you have sensitive skin and hair. While they leave a pleasant smell after shampooing, they cause severe scalp irritation and hair loss.
Phthalates
Phthalates are added to shampoos and cosmetics as fragrances or solvents. Phthalates have similar effects to synthetic fragrances. These solvents can even negatively affect the health of your scalp and hair by interfering with your hormonal system, causing excessive hair loss. Moreover, it is good for the environment
They are harmful.
The 8 Most Common Myths About Shampoo and Hair Wash
Myth 1 – Washing your hair every day is bad.
Absolutely not! Wash your hair
It will clean the dirt and oil accumulated in your scalp and hair every day. It prevents your hair from getting greasy, dull and smelly.
Myth 2 – Shampoo is bad for your hair.
A right shampoo that suits your scalp and hair type is never bad for your hair. Conversely, a good shampoo deeply cleanses your scalp, removes excess oil, dirt and build-up, and promotes healthy hair growth.
Myth 3 – Using the same shampoo will stop working when my hair gets used to it.
Absolutely not! It is always advisable to pick and stick to a shampoo that suits your hair type and concerns. If your shampoo stops giving you the results you want, your hair’s needs and condition may have changed or improved.
Myth 4 – Changing your shampoo too often causes hair loss.
This myth is also strangely similar to our above explanation. We advise you not to settle for just any shampoo. Just because someone else recommended a particular shampoo to you or a shampoo brand is trending, you don’t have to choose it for yourself. Change shampoos until you find one that suits your hair needs, hair type and other issues.
Myth 5 – Frequent shampooing will either dry out my hair or make my hair oily.
In fact, shampooing your hair frequently will wash away any bacteria-laden oils or dirt from your hair, leaving you with supple, soft strands and a nourished scalp.
Myth 6 – Shampooing daily will cause more hair loss and damage.
In contrast, a good shampoo will simply cleanse your scalp, promoting healthy hair.
Myth 7 – Don’t wash your hair, it will clean itself.
If you don’t wash your hair, dirt and old oil will continue to accumulate on your scalp and hair. This will result in excessive damage, a dry and itchy scalp, and severe hair loss.
Myth 8 – Wash your hair with cold water to make it shiny.
Using warm water allows your scalp pores to open and breathe. After washing your hair, rinse with cold water to re-seal your scalp’s pores and lock in moisture.
How to prevent hair loss due to shampoo?
Below are some important tips that can help you prevent excessive hair fall while shampooing.
The first and perhaps most important step in preventing hair loss is knowing your hair and scalp type.
Create an appropriate hair care regimen that suits your scalp, hair type and concerns.
Remember to massage your scalp with a warm oil before each wash, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, almond oil, etc.
Always choose a sulfate-free shampoo that is gentle and mild, especially on your scalp.
Do not brush your hair while wet or in the shower. Your hair is at its weakest when it’s wet. Brushing in this condition will cause your hair to fall out more than usual.
Always apply conditioner to your hair after every hair wash. A good hydrating conditioner seals in moisture and reduces the chances of hair fall, dryness and damage. Also, check the ingredients of your hair conditioner. It should contain natural oils, butters (like mango butter, shea butter), hydrolyzed keratin, etc., which help strengthen your hair.
Use hair care products that contain vitamin B5 and vitamin E.
After drying your hair, use a soft brush and comb your hair lightly.
Limit the use of heating and styling products and tools, such as curling rods or dryers, on your hair.
Avoid tight hairstyles and accessories that can pull or bind your hair coarsely or uncomfortably. Doing this regularly or for long periods of time will damage your hair roots, increasing the risk of hair loss.
When to consult a doctor?
How much is too much? When to consult a doctor?
If none of our suggestions work and you experience persistent hair loss, consult a healthcare professional or trichologist (hair specialist). Visiting a hair specialist rather than a skin specialist will go a long way in helping you identify the root cause of your excessive hair loss. This will, in turn, help you develop and initiate the specific treatment you need to combat further hair loss and take steps to remediate it.
Apart from shampoo, there are other factors that can cause hair loss.
Although ingredients in shampoos can cause hair loss, there are other factors that can cause hair loss, including shampoos.
5 also includes a pH level.
Hormonal changes
Dietary changes
Malnutrition
Inherent problems
Any ongoing illness
Other medical problems
Medicines
Excessive stress
Severe weight loss, weight gain, etc
finish
Most of us take pride in having perfect locks. And it affects us when we start to see bits of our precious hair after shampooing or combing. As we now know, hair fall is caused by many things.
Reasons 6, including some of the harmful ingredients in your shampoo. So, to protect your hair from further damage, loss, or thinning, be sure to check our curated list of toxic ingredients before purchasing your shampoo.
