Do I really need sulfate-free shampoo?

Author: Dr. Boyd Schiller  |  Last update: Saturday, May 6, 2023

If your hair has been recently colored, chemically treated, or you naturally have dry or coarse hair, consider trying a sulfate-free shampoo to see if your hair health improves. You might want to avoid sulfate shampoos if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition such as rosacea.

Does sulfate-free shampoo really make a difference?

Sulfate–free shampoo can make a difference to hair that is lacking in moisture, or hair that is color-treated. Normal shampoo with sulfates can strip the color out of your color–treated hair more quickly than sulfate-free shampoo and can be a contributing factor to dryness in frizzy or natural hair.

What happens when you stop using sulfate shampoo?

Sulfate free shampoo will get you feeling clean, but not stripped of moisture. The results? A healthier scalp with balanced oil production. Dry scalp types will find that their scalp is more moisturized (not oily), and oilier scalp types will find that their excessive oil production will be reduced over time.

Should you avoid sulfate in shampoo?

For the most part, sulfates in shampoos are safe. They help the shampoo strip dirt and oil from the hair. For people with sensitive hair and skin, shampoos containing sulfates may cause some mild side effects, such as dry, brittle hair, and dryness or redness of the scalp.

Does sulfate-free really matter?

People with dry or frizzy hair should also consider sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfate-free cleansers maintain the natural oils on the scalp and hair, which ultimately leaves your hair with more moisture. I can attest to that too; I've also noticed my tight curls stay more hydrated now.

DO I NEED SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO ? | THE TRUTH ABOUT SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO | LAURYL SULFATE

Why is my hair greasy after using sulfate-free shampoo?

It feels oily at the roots, like you didn't just wash it this morning. Don't worry - this is absolutely normal and very common! Your hair is going through an adjustment period as it adapts to your new, sulfate-free regimen. If you're like most Americans, you've been using sulfate-based products for years.

Why do people want sulfate-free?

Sulfates are not necessarily harmful, however, they can be too good at their job, stripping the hair, scalp and skin of natural oils, and leaving it feeling dry and brittle. Because of this, certain people can benefit from avoiding sulfates in their self-care products.

What is the healthiest shampoo to use?

Healthline's picks for best natural shampoos
  • Stream2Sea Conditioning Shampoo and Body Wash. ...
  • By Humankind Shampoo Bars. ...
  • SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo. ...
  • 100% Pure Yuzu and Pomelo Glossing Shampoo. ...
  • WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo.

Do sulfates really cause hair loss?

Some forms of sulfates — like sodium lauryl sulfate — can cause significant scalp irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin. If sulfates cause enough irritation, they may contribute to hair damage and hair thinning in some people.

Do sulfates really matter?

Are sulfates safe? There is no direct evidence linking SLS and SLES to cancer, infertility, or development issues. These chemicals may slowly build up in your body over long-term use, but the amounts are small. The highest risk of using products with SLS and SLES is irritation to your eyes, skin, mouth, and lungs.

Can switching to sulfate-free shampoo cause hair loss?

Sulfate-free shampoos generally do not cause hair loss. Rather, shampoos that contain sulfates are more likely to cause thinning because they can irritate and inflame the scalp, and they break down your existing hair shafts.

What are the benefits of sulfate-free shampoo?

What Are the Benefits of Sulfate-Free Shampoo?
  • 1) Keep Your Hair's Natural Oils. Shampoo that contains sulfates lathers and efficiently removes dirt and debris from your scalp. ...
  • 2) No More Fade. You just spent a pretty penny on getting your hair colored. ...
  • 3) Moisture Can Stay. ...
  • 4) Strengthen Damaged Hair.

What can I use instead of sulfate-free shampoo?

Other safe, sulfate-free alternatives to look for in shampoos, cleansers, detergents and beyond include:
  • sodium lauryl sulfoacetate.
  • sodium cocoyl glycinate.
  • sodium coco sulfate.
  • disodium / sodium cocoyl glutamate.
  • decyl glucoside.
  • lauryl glucoside.

Does sulfate cause frizz?

If you introduce sulfate shampoo into the curly-picture, you may be making the situation worse, since sulfate lifts the hair cuticle, making it more likely to frizz. In this scenario, a shampoo without sulfate is best since it won't strip hair of as much moisture as a regular shampoo would.

Is sulfate-free shampoo better for thinning hair?

Is sulfate-free shampoo good for fine hair? The short answer is yes. Sulfate-free hair cleansing options like Better Not Younger's Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo and Second Chance Low Suds Repairing Shampoo for Dry/Damaged Hair are superior solutions to treat the physiology of your aging hair.

What ingredient in shampoo makes your hair fall out?

DMDM hydantoin, a preservative in shampoos, conditioners and other water-based personal care products, is the focus of several class-action lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and Unilever claiming exposure to the substance led to hair loss.

Do sulfate-free shampoos cause buildup?

One more thing you may have noticed: many sulfate-free shampoos also contain tons of conditioning ingredients. This is to create a shampooing experience that feels less like you're shampooing and more like you're conditioning your hair. All too often, this leads to crazy buildup.

Why you should avoid sulfates?

Whether from laundry detergent, soap, or shampoo, the sulfates can cause reactions in sensitive people. Sometimes, sulfates like SLS and SLES end up removing too much oil, washing off the skin's protective barrier and causing redness and dry, itchy skin. Dermatitis and edema.

What is the number 1 best shampoo?

The 13 best shampoos for every scalp and hair type
  • Best shampoo for fine hair: Maxxam Volumizing.
  • Best shampoo for curly hair: Shea Moisture.
  • Best shampoo for natural hair: Oribe.
  • Best detangling shampoo: Design Essentials.
  • Best baby shampoo: Burt's Bees.
  • Best dry shampoo for oily hair: Dove.

What is a good shampoo that won't damage hair?

The 10 Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair in 2022
  • Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. ...
  • Amika the Kure Bond Repair Shampoo. ...
  • Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo. ...
  • Kérastase Nutritive Bain Magistral Shampoo. ...
  • Nexxus Keraphix Shampoo. ...
  • Redken All Soft Shampoo. ...
  • Living Proof Restore Shampoo. ...
  • Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo.

What are the disadvantages of sulfate?

Sulphate has a disadvantage: it can be drying and irritating to the skin and can cause tingling, itching and redness when it is present in a too large quantity in a product and when it is not combined with other mild surfactants.

Why do professional shampoos have sulfates?

Typically, sulfates appear on the labels as sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and sodium saureth sulfate. In haircare, sulfates serve as the cleansing agent that makes shampoos sud up and cleanses the hair of dirt, oil, and debris.

How often should you wash your hair with sulfate-free shampoo?

To keep your oily scalp under control but still prevent damage caused by overwashing, it's best to limit hair washes to two or three times a week. You want to use a sulfate-free shampoo that can soothe, cleanse, and clarify your hair without stripping away beneficial oils.

Why does sulfate-free shampoo make my hair feel like straw?

Sulfate shampoos (and sulfate-free shampoos, in some cases) contain cleansers that decrease the hair's moisture levels. Every time you shampoo, you're removing natural oils from your hair and scalp, which can upset your moisture balance and give way to a straw-like texture.

How long does it take for your hair to adjust to new shampoo?

The change can take up to 4-6 weeks depending on the amount of build-up in the scalp and hair, but in most cases, 2-3 weeks is enough to find a new balanced state in the scalp and hair.

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