Why are silicones, sulfates and parabens so harmful to hair?

Silicones, sulfates, and parabens are common ingredients found in many hair care products – but Regrow!

When it came to creating the formula for Regrow’s shampoo, conditioner and tonic, we knew it needed to be natural and botanical. We also knew silicones, sulfates and parabens would not appear on the ingredients list. While these ingredients can be effective in their intended purposes, they can also cause damage to hair. In this blog post, we will discuss the negative effects of each of these ingredients on hair health and the reasons we said a hard NO.

Silicones

Silicones are synthetic compounds that are often added to hair care products to provide a shiny and smooth appearance to hair. While these compounds can help to make hair appear healthy and shiny in the short term, they can have negative effects on hair health in the long term.

One of the main issues with silicones is that they can build up on the hair shaft over time, leading to dullness and flatness. This build-up can also make it difficult for other products, such as conditioners or hair masks, to penetrate the hair shaft and provide the necessary moisture and nutrients.

Another issue with silicones is that they can weigh hair down and make it more susceptible to breakage. This is because the silicone coating on the hair shaft can prevent natural oils and moisture from reaching the hair, leading to dryness and breakage.

Sulfates

Sulfates are a common ingredient found in many shampoos and other hair care products. They are added to these products because they are effective at removing dirt and oil from the hair and scalp. However, sulfates can also cause damage to hair in a number of ways.

One of the main issues with sulfates is that they can strip the hair and scalp of natural oils. This can lead to dryness and brittleness, which can cause hair to break and become damaged over time. Sulfates can also cause irritation to the scalp, which can lead to itching and flaking.

Another issue with sulfates is that they can cause colour-treated hair to fade more quickly. This is because sulfates can strip the colour molecules from the hair, causing the colour to become dull and faded. Instead of using sulfates, we included ingredients that heal the damage cause by sulfates – such as scalp irritation and brittle hair.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives that are added to many hair care products to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould. While they are effective at their intended purpose, parabens can also have negative effects on hair health.

One of the main issues with parabens is that they can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. This can lead to itching, redness, and inflammation of the scalp, which can cause damage to the hair follicles and lead to hair loss over time… Definately not what you want to happen?

Another issue with parabens is that they can disrupt hormone function in the body. This is because parabens have been found to mimic estrogen in the body, which can lead to a range of health issues, including reproductive problems and cancer.

 

While silicones, sulfates, and parabens can be effective in their intended purposes, they can also cause damage to hair – which is not what anyone wants. Hair care shouldn’t cause hair damage! Silicones can lead to build-up and weigh hair down, sulfates can strip hair of natural oils and cause colour fading, and parabens can cause skin irritation and disrupt hormone function. When choosing hair care products, it is important to read the labels carefully and choose products that are free of these harmful ingredients to ensure healthy and vibrant hair. Or… just shop Regrow and enjoy your best hair days ever!

 

Reference: Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. (2015). Hair cosmetics: an overview. International journal of trichology, 7(1), 2.