Have you ever asked yourself, what goes into making a shampoo? What gives you suds and bubbles and those great smells? I like most people used to believe the more the shampoo lathered, the cleaner your hair would be. This is not true at all! Most shampoos are made up of harsh detergents. The main ingredient in most shampoo is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and its sister Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

SLS started its career as an industrial degreasing agent and garage floor cleaner. Studies have shown that when applied to human skin; it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer, irritating and eroding the skin, leaving it rough and pitted. In most cases products that contain SLS strip the hair of natural oils which cause the hair to become dry and brittle.   As and example; elasticity is the measure of how much the hair will stretch and return to its normal state. Healthy hair when wet will stretch up to fifty percent of its original length and return to its normal state without breaking.  Dry hair will only stretch twenty percent.  Hair low in elasticity is highly susceptible to breakage.  So, in this case you would look for products to stop breakage and strength hair and also products that will add moisture.

We as consumers need to pay attention to the ingredients that are in the products we use. Society has entered the organic, clean eating phase where we have begun to pay more attention to the foods we eat, so let’s pay attention to the food we feed our hair. Look for products that are 100% natural without SLS and are paraben free. Educate yourself; look up the ingredients that are in you current products. Find yourself a knowledgeable hair stylist, one that will take the time and answer your questions. Most natural shampoos don’t lather, which is fine. As long as you use ample amounts and stimulate your scalp and hair thoroughly you should get great results!


Editor Notes:
Myisha Poles-Pettigrew is the co-owner of Meek Salon in Philadelphia, PA.  She has worked on commercial campaigns as well as a hair stylist for celebrities.