Sulfate Free Hair Shampoo – Is It Good For My Hair?
By Sheila Venancia
Sulfates are often used as an active ingredient in shampoo. As with shampoo’s, many body washes and cleansers also contain one or more types of sulfate as an active ingredients, typically listed just after the first ingredient – water. Clearly, sulfates are a large component of these products.
Until recently, the long term side-effect of sulfate has not been talked about in the consumer community. Unless you are shopping for sulfate free shampoo or cleansers, you are nearly certain to see sulfates used. Placing emphasis on using natural ingredients over chemicals (i.e. Sulfate, Paraben), manufacturers started to market “Sulfate Free Shampoo”. There are too many choices now than ever and it can get quite confusing if you are not sure what you should look for. Nevertheless, most people don’t know what they are, how they work, and if they’re safe.
A sulfate is a chemical compound used as a detergent in many household and beauty products. Sulfates are so popular because they clean things that are not water-soluble (such as oils and other tough-to-remove substances). The two most common sulfates used for these applications are sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate. Both of these are used for their excellent cleaning properties, and because they aid the lathering affect desirable in many beauty products.
While sulfates are excellent cleaning compounds (sometimes referred to as detergents or surfactants) and desirable industrial additives due to their minimal cost, the fact of the matter is they are not good for your hair. This is why there has been a considerable increase in sulfate free shampoo brands on the market. There are a few reasons these additives are best avoided:
Damage: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are excellent cleaners. In fact, in higher concentrations these surfactants are quite effective at everything from cleaning engine grease to breaking down DNA in a lab. A sulfate free shampoo uses gentle, alternative detergents to gently remove oil and styling product residue from your tresses.
Color-Fastness: If you’re like most people, you spend good money to get hair coloring at a salon. For that reason, you do everything you can to keep the color you love truer as long as you can. Sulfates can do considerable damage to hair-color; they’re only doing their job, after all. Sulfates are meant to clean away tough stains, and coloring happens to be (if you think about it) just that! Most reputable salons will recommend that you switch to a sulfate free shampoo in order to get more durability out of your new hue.
Irritation: Many people have at least some level of sensitivity to this type of cleaner. The stinging sensation of getting shampoo in your eyes is most likely caused by irritation by these cleaning agents. Just as with laundry detergent that causes reactions in sensitive populations, these cleaners can cause scalp dryness, itchiness, or irritation. Sticking with a sulfate free shampoo is the best way to keep the delicate skin of your scalp intact, which can in turn reduce the appearance of scalp problems such as dandruff.
Safety: While sulfates themselves are not listed as a known carcinogen by any national or international health organization, there are components of these compounds that do have potentially carcinogenic properties. These detergents have trace amounts of dioxane 1,4, a known hazard to human health and likely cancer causing agent. It is safer to go with a sulfate free shampoo or cleanser in order to avoid contact with this undesirable and potentially hazardous compound.
Choosing the Right Product for You
As is the case with any product, your choice in sulfate free shampoo brands should cater to your individual needs. Choose a shampoo that is formulated to care for your specific type of hair – curly, color-treated, ethnic, and so forth. Ultimately, you and your hair will both be glad you did!
If you cannot say “I love my hair”, then maybe it is time for a new hair stylist.
[1]Sheila Venancia has over a decade of distinguished international experience. Originally from Brazil, she trained with leading international hair professionals in London, Spain, Brazil and the USA. In Brazil, Sheila rose among the top-ranking hair and makeup artists, catapulting her into the celebrity arena. Sheila’s work has been featured on Brazilian television shows, newspapers and magazines. Her specialties are non-toxic Japanese hair straightening, laser hair extensions, and high-end modern styling. Sheila may be reached at (941) 822.2152 or sheilasvs@hotmail.com [2].
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