REGULAR USE OF SHAMPOO AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR HAIR
Applying shampoo to your hair on the daily basis decreases the natural production of oils of the scalp, thus causing various types of irritations in your scalp. Daily exposure to shampoo causes rashes, skin inflammation, itching, redness and even eczema as these beauty products contains variety of harsh chemicals. The glands present in our scalp produce natural oils that helps in keeping our scalp moist and lubricated.
Each time we shampoo our hair these natural oils are removed from our scalp and hair. These harsh chemicals even alter the pH of our hair and scalp and in return cause irritation and inflammation. All this leads to various scalp problems like dandruff, scaling and flaking. It can also be the main reason of hair loss.
How Toxic Could Be Your Shampoo?
A lot more than you can imagine! The gorgeous bottle that promises you thick, luxurious lather and beautiful bubbles is not only causing damage to your hair, but the ingredients found in it also led to numerous diseases, hair thinning, hair loss, and even scalp damage. The major culprits found in most shampoos that cause these harms are surfactants called Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) and related compounds. SLS is no doubt the most dangerous ingredient you can find in approximately all shampoo bottles.
This ingredient is so potent that studies have linked it to serious skin and scalp irritation and diseases. It causes hair loss, hair thinning and scalp damage. In one study, this ingredient was also linked to cancer and cell damage. SLS is usually disguised by a lot of names such as diethanolime (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), and monoethanolamine (MEA). SLS along with other equally dangerous elements such as Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate are made by separating Lauric acid from coconut oil and reacting it with sulfuric acid. They are even made synthetically by reacting Lauric acid and ammonia. The hair care products that call themselves as “natural” also contain these potentially harmful ingredients.
What Are the Main Chemicals That Cause Harm to Our Hair?
Most of the shampoos we use contain a tremendous amount of SLE/SLES and parabens. These chemicals help in creating lather when we add shampoo to our hair to clean and remove the dirt. These mainly cause irritation in skin and eye and become a source of inflammation and weakened roots which indirectly results in hair loss. It is better if you use a shampoo that does not contain these chemicals. Although in some cases, it is extremely essential for the person to shampoo everyday. These people must take a lot of care of their scalp and hair by massaging the scalp with oil such as castor or olive. This will increase the blood circulation in the scalp and will stimulate the hair follicles thus making their hair strong. A hair mask made of eggs, honey and curd is another famous home remedy to provide hair with nourishment that is needed for it to be healthy.
What Are the Major Problems Related to Hair and Scalp?
The most dangerous impact of these harmful chemicals in our shampoo is the damage to the hair follicles which results in loss of hair. SLS which is the foaming agent in our shampoo contains protein denaturing properties due to which it causes inflammation and irritation of skin along with many other problems of scalp.
Can Shampooing Everyday Causes Eye Problems?
The harmful ingredients such as SLS or SLES might cause cataract in adults if you start overusing it. More shockingly, shampooing every other day in the kids can hinder the proper development of their eyes. There is one more chemical present in our shampoos called Formaldehyde which can create a sensation of burning in our eyes. According to American College of Toxicology, these shampoos can lead to malformation in eyes of the children.
Does Shampooing Everyday Cause Asthma?
There are few ingredients present in our shampoo such as DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, and bronopol which contain a chemical called formaldehyde that is a sensitizer. By using this sensitizer daily in shampoos, can cause asthma, chest pain and even shortness of breath.
What Are the Major Skin Problems Caused By Shampooing Every Other Day?
As we discussed earlier that shampooing daily decreases the natural production of oils of the scalp, thus causing various irritations related to skin. The most common problems caused by daily exposure of shampoo include rashes, inflammation of skin, itching, redness, and eczema. These problems are the result of different harsh chemicals which are embedded in all beauty products.
Does Shampooing Daily Have an Impact on Our Body Immune System?
The answer is Yes. The toxic ingredients present in our shampoo poses a serious threat to the entire immune system if we use them repeatedly. The main ingredients like SLS and SLES which are unfortunately found in 95% of shampoos worldwide causes a significant risk to our immune system instead of acting as the right hair care product. There are endless harmful effects of shampooing your hair daily. So, while buying a shampoo for yourself take an extra care to find ingredients listed on the label and try your best to look for SLS free shampoos as it will lessen the side effects on your hair and scalp.
Are There Any Tips to Save Yourself from The Harms of Shampoo?
Whenever we are buying these famous brand shampoos, we always think of lush, black, beautiful hair while ignoring all the unfavorable effects it brings to our hair and scalp health. While buying a shampoo we look for price, brand and most importantly how to use it. Instead, you should look for the ingredients that are mentioned in the label. By doing this you will do your hair and scalp a huge amount of favor. Apart from this, use different home remedies to nourish your hair like massaging oil on scalp or applying an egg hair mask at least once a week.