You’ve just spent an afternoon at the salon, your hair is looking its finest… fresh, vibrant colour, a deep nourishing olpaplex treatment and a good cut… its looking its absolute best! Have you considered that aftercare at home is just as important to maintain it.
There are a number of ‘nasties’ that can be found in shampoos. These ingredients might be effective in cleaning the hair of dirt and oils, but can often lead to damage and scalp complaints if they are too strong.
A salon shampoo is more expensive than what you can buy in a supermarket but it is worth the investment in professional hair care. The truth is that salon shampoos really are better for the hair.
Some of the main chemicals and ingredients now being avoided in salon shampoos are:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Silicones
Sodium Chloride
Polyethelene Glycol (PEG)
Mineral Oil
Parabens
Many professional salon shampoos are formulated without, or with less, of these chemicals, and more of the good stuff. Salon shampoos contain a bigger proportion of high-grade ingredients that protect and nourish the hair, and less of those that strip the hair of its natural strength.
So, let’s take a look at some of those unwanted shampoo ingredients to avoid and find out exactly what they do to the hair…
Why is Silicone Shampoo Bad?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, otherwise known as SLS, is a common ingredient found in shampoos, soaps and many other cosmetic products. They are just one of many types of sulfates that are often used to produce the foam in shampoo that achieves that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling.
However, while your hair might feel fresh after a wash, it might also feel dry and brittle. This is because along with that dirt, SLS will also strip away all of the natural oils in your hair. For those with sensitive skin, this can also irritate the scalp.
A shampoo that is free from sulfates (SLS) uses a milder cleanser that isn’t as harsh, resulting in healthier hair that can retain its own protective oils.
Why Is Sodium Chloride Bad in Shampoo?
Commonly known as salt, sodium chloride is often used as a thickening ingredient in shampoos so you get a manageable texture that can easily be distributed through the hair.
However, it does have a downside. Sodium chloride attracts moisture, so it can again leave your hair feeling dry – especially if you are already experiencing dryness and need as much moisture as you can get!
What is PEG in Shampoo?
PEG – full name ‘polyethylene glycol’ – is another chemical used to improve the texture of the shampoo. Again, this can be bad for hair, as this synthetic ingredient can be very harsh on the scalp and hair, leading to dryness.
Why is Mineral Oil Bad For Your Hair?
While there are plenty of oils which are moisturising and nourishing for your hair, don’t be fooled into thinking that mineral oils is one of them.
While it does act as a lubricant that can help detangle the hair and retain moisture inside it, mineral oil is sometimes used to ‘pad out’ the oil content of other, more expensive oils. So, if your shampoo says it contains argan oil, for example, but it is listed as one of the last ingredients in the list, it is likely mineral oil has been used as a cheaper way to dilute it.
What is the Benefit of Paraben-Free Shampoo?
There has been much discussion around the use of parabens in hair and beauty products. While they have been used for many decades to preserve shampoos and prevent them from growing any unpleasant bacteria, recent studies have shown that they can cause skin irritation and even hormone imbalances.
For these reasons, many shampoo brands have chosen to go paraben-free, with plenty of consumers now preferring them.
So now you have a bit more knowledge on Shampoo ingredients, here at Garbo’s we use Sebastian Professional.
Sebastian is redefining the limits of fearless hair fashion, with versatile, groundbreaking products that revive the industry and style that now.
With innovative products, you can create superior styles and transform hair from day to night-professional to provocative, whenever you want.
And don’t be afraid to mix it up. Combine products for the most unique effects: gels and oils, creams and clays – there’s no limit to what you can create.