These Toxic Ingredients Could Be Damaging Your Hair

Written by Urvi DalalSep 16, 2023
These toxic ingredients could be damaging your hair

Thanks to the increasing awareness, most of us have reached a point where we religiously scan through all the ingredients mentioned on the packaging of our skincare products. However, we forget to do the same when it comes to hair care products.

Just like your skin, the scalp too absorbs products put on it. Hence, if your hair care products contain harmful ingredients, they will end up affecting not just your scalp, but your hair health too. Now, you don’t want that, do you?

Below, we’ve rounded up a list of harmful ingredients found in commonly used hair care products that you need to steer clear of…

 

 

Paraben

Synthetic fragrances

This nasty ingredient can cause a lot of damage to your precious mane. But, if this ingredient is so damaging, then why is it a part of most hair care products? Well, parabens are used as preservatives in beauty products; they prevent the growth of bacteria and mould. However, studies show that some parabens mimic the hormone estrogen. This can interfere with the body’s production of estrogen and can, in turn, lead to breast cancer and cause reproductive problems. Hence, it’s best to avoid this ingredient at all costs.

 

SLS

Synthetic fragrances

Sulphates are your hairs worst enemy. These lathering agents cause a lot of damage to your mane. While they help get rid of dirt and dead skin cells from the scalp, they also end up stripping the hair of its natural oil, making it dry and brittle. What’s more? It also fades hair colour faster. So, it’s best to look for sulfate-free formulas that clean and nourish your hair without stripping off its natural oils.

 

SLES

Synthetic fragrances

Another very common ingredient found in shampoos is SLES. Several brands use this as a replacement for SLS, but let us tell you, it’s no better. SLES is a foaming agent that can leave your scalp super dry and flaky. Additionally, it also makes your hair brittle and frizzy, leading to breakage. If you have a sensitive scalp, we would highly recommend you to stay away from products that contain this ingredient as it can lead to severe skin irritation and an allergic rash called contact dermatitis.

 

Alcohol

Synthetic fragrances

Alcohol is one of the most commonly found ingredients in a lot of hair care products. But, just like you would avoid using alcohol-based skincare products, you need to stop using alcohol-based hair care products too. These are extremely drying and strip your scalp of moisture, leading to frizz, hair fall as well as stunted hair growth *yikes*.

 

Synthetic fragrances

Synthetic fragrances

If your hair care product label contains fragrances as one of the first few ingredients, then we urge you to NOT pick up that bottle. These products contain several harmful chemicals that are concealed under the word ‘fragrances’. These chemicals are not just linked to hair fall, but also end up causing major reproductive and hormonal issues.

Image courtesy: Instagram

Urvi Dalal

Written by

Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!

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