Sulfates in my shampoo and conditioner

There’s been a lot of recent buzz in the health and beauty world about sulfate free shampoo. But what does this really mean? Is this some kind of gluten free alternative, but for my hair? The fact is most shampoos contain one of the following sulfates in a single bottle.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS
Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLES
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Myreth Sulfate
TEA Laureth Sulfate

What does that mean? Sulfates are used to make water more useful combined with your shampoo, in turn allowing it to lather and clean your hair and scalp. Perfect right? Initially maybe, but often consumers wash their hair with these kinds of shampoos everyday. At first you will find that your hair is soft and considerably clean, but overtime you will find your hair dry, scalp oily and color stripped (if you do color). Washing your hair each day is a vicious cycle as sulfates work to remove all oil, causing your scalp to produce often double for what it has lost. If your shampoo contains sulfates or alcohol (in the first three ingredients) you need to throw it out, or else you're damaging your hair and scalp in the long term.

Sulfate free shampoos don’t lather like their parent shampoos, but they do keep some your scalps natural oils, clean, maintain your color and moisturize your hair.

There are many brands out there so it is important you do your research and see what pH balance would combine best with your scalp. Try limiting your shampoo usage so that you may test yourself to see how it affects your moisture/oil levels.

Recommended Shampoos for scalp, regular hair and hair extensions:

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Milk Shampoo (sulfate free color protector)