Source: flickr.com user Cam Switzer
One of the most common questions I’ve been asked about hair care lately is what I think about sulfates. No doubt, marketers have been having a heyday with this popular ingredient. It seems the sulfate-free stamp is on everything these days, so I thought I’d share a few hair care tips about the pros and cons of sulfates.
Let’s start at the beginning. Many people don’t even know what sulfates are, which only feeds fears when people are told they are bad. Plain and simple, sulfates are detergents that help a shampoo to cleanse and foam.
There are several types of sulfates, including Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate and Tea Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates.
The Pros and Cons
In hair care shampoos, sulfates are very effective at removing dirt, oil and environmental debris from your hair and scalp. It’s important to understand that cleansers are necessary for a healthy scalp. They prevent a buildup of dead skin and debris, which can clog the hair follicles and result in damaged hair or hair loss.
The main sulfate problem hair care brands have been playing up on their packaging is that sulfates can contribute to fading hair color. This is true. However, it’s not only true about sulfates, but also any other cleanser. In fact, there are several things that cause hair color fading, including tap water, blow dryers and flat irons.
Another big concern I hear from people is that sulfates strip the hair of oils resulting in dryness. I’m not sure why this comes as a surprise to people. That’s what cleansers do. They have to remove the oils because the oils are mixed with all the gunk you’ve encountered throughout the day. Conditioners are for restoring moisture and oils to the hair once the hair is clean.
It’s also true that sulfates can cause skin and eye irritation over time, and some products containing Sodium Lauryl and Laureth Sulfates have been found to have very low levels of 1,4-dioxane, which has the potential to cause cancer in animals. Still, the American Cancer Society does not consider any sulfate a known carcinogen.
If you want to avoid these potential hazards, you can use products with other sulfates. Sodium Myreth Sulfate and Tea Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates have been found to be mild and gentle.
What to Expect from Sulfate Free Shampoo
I’ve had several hair clients come to me over the years complaining of greasy, limp hair that just won’t hold a style. My first question is what kind of shampoo they’ve been using. Often, they’ve selected a natural hair treatment that’s free of sulfates. What they don’t realize is that’s their problem. Without sulfates, or some sort of super-effective cleanser, dirt, oil and styling products will build up on the hair, leaving it dull and lifeless.
So, even though their color may not have faded and their locks may not be dry, they’ve still managed to zap their hair of life and vitality by refusing to give it a deep-down clean.
My Verdict
I do believe in putting as few chemicals into your body as possible. So, when it comes to supporting shampoo without sodium laureth sulfate or any of the other sulfates, I’m all for it. However, I would recommend using a shampoo with sulfates once a week to remove build-up. That way, you can get the best of both worlds.
Tags: Hair, Hair Care, hair care products
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