Shampoos Cause Most Dandruff

Did you know that the Shampoo you use every day might be the cause of the dry flakes and dandruff you are trying to get rid of? Shampoos cause most Dandruff. Are there healthy choices?

The cheapest lathering agent for shampoo is sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS). That is why it is in most shampoos, even some of the most expensive ones. Chemically speaking, it is a long chain alcohol and a drying agent. It is also a reductant, which means it steals electrons from your own cells causing damage through ionization (radiation). All of these features make it unhealthy for our skin and scalps. The short answer is, it will leave your scalp damaged and possibly more prone to a superficial scalp fungal infection which can lead to “Dandruff”. Those little embarrassing flakes that fall on your clothes and are most obvious on dark shirts or sweaters are usually the result of irritation from the sodium lauryl sulfate in the shampoo.

Dandruff can also be commonly caused by Psoriasis and Seborrheic Dermatitis. If you have one of these conditions please see your primary care doctor or dermatologist. But if you suffer from flakes, most of you will improve by avoiding shampoos with SLS. As your scalp begins to heal by avoiding SLS you may get increased scaling of your scalp, do not worry, it can be controlled. As your scalp heals the scaling can be improved by using a 2% solution of salicylic acid. “Scalpicin” is one of the brands, but the generic preparations work as well and are less expensive. This can be purchased over the counter at most drug stores (Pharmacies).

So remember to read the labels and choose a healthy, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) free, shampoo. This will give you a healthier scalp and healthy hair. Happy Hair Days!