Common Chemicals in Hair Products Causing Hair Fall You Should Know

18 December, 2017 | Hair Transplant | Author : Shveta Virmani

Most of us are blessed with healthy hair growth, at least until the time we reach our late 20s. However, it is at this point in time, when we start losing some of these precious strands, which not only hamper the way we look but also creates a dent in our self-esteem. So, what is it that we should do in order to avoid this uncalled for hair loss and the subsequent need for a follicular unit or FUT hair transplant? Well, the answer is simple. We ought to avoid certain harmful chemicals that are u

Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS)

This chemical is largely used in foamers and thickeners and helps produce a bubbly lather. While we all believe that the more the lather, the cleaner our hair become, the fact of the matter is this SLS induced lather strips the hair of natural oils and make them prone to damage. Moreover, it results in making the scalp dry and itchy, thus leading to unwarranted hair loss. Polyethylene glycol or PEG is also known to have a similar effect on our hair.

Formaldehyde

This, along with parabens including Propylparaben and Methylparaben is used in numerous hair products in a bid to increase their shelf-life. However, these substances are known to instigate hormonal imbalance and subsequently, promote hair loss.

Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)

More often than not, these chemicals are used in hair products in order to enhance their smell and/or colour. However, they are known to cause allergic reactions and scalp inflammation in many individuals. Consistent use of these chemicals may lead to the destruction of the natural keratin present in hair and subsequent hair loss.

Alcohol

This is one of the most commonly used ingredients in hair care products. While alcohol has no significant harm when used in low proportions, it may lead to damaged hair and hair loss when its percentage is fairly high in a given product. Since most products do not explicitly state the percentage, it is recommended to beware of those which list it as one of the first few ingredients.

Petroleum and Mineral Oils

These substances might prove to be harmful to people with thin hair. Since these are essentially heavy in nature, they weigh down the hair leading to uncalled for damage and loss.

Now that you know about some of the most harmful chemicals used in hair products, make sure you steer clear of them and try to use herbal products. However, if you still continue to experience significant hair loss, make sure that you visit a reputable doctor for hair transplant surgery.