When you're staring at the supermarket shelf and looking at all the shampoos on offer, it can be really difficult to know what to choose. All the brightly coloured bottles may look exciting and enticing, but are they actually good for your hair, offering all the goodness that it really needs?
A leading hair expert has come to the rescue, sharing how we could be putting ourselves at risk of hair loss, just because of the bad shampoo choices we may make - but what makes a shampoo 'good' for your locks, and what types of ingredients should we be looking to avoid at all costs?
To make our hair look glossy and gorgeous, we may reach for quick and cheap off-the-shelf styling products and shampoos to achieve a glamorous look. But putting your faith in the wrong product with dodgy chemicals could result in dandruff and even cause your hair to fall out.
Sam Cinkir, CEO of leading hair and skin specialists Este Medical Group, told The Mirror: "Many of us carry out some form of grooming routine each morning and styling our hair can be one of the most important tasks.
"However, some people don’t realise that the products they are using to make their barnet stronger and look better are actually having the opposite effect.
"Styling products can contain between 15 and 25 chemicals and some of those ingredients can damage your scalp, promote dandruff and cause hair follicles to fall out.
"Damaging chemicals such as Isopropyl Alcohol and Propylene Glycol cause drying and breakages and do more damage than good.
"Another common mistake is using too much product and overexposing your hair to chemicals, or being too forceful with the application.
"It’s important to know exactly what you are putting in your hair and how to do it, so try speaking to your barber and ensure your grooming routine helps you look better, not worse."
Sam continued to explain that amongst the worst chemical offenders are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Laureth Sulfate, which are common in shampoos to clean oil and dirt from the hair.
When they're used too much, they can strip the hair of its natural oils and proteins, leaving it vulnerable to breakage and loss.
Chemicals such as Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) can also have the same effect.
So what should you be using as an alternative then?
The expert recommends looking out for more natural ingredients in your hair care products such as coconut or jojoba oil as these can be kinder alternatives and are better for your hair.
Do you have a hair hack to share? We want to hear all about it. Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
