Why You Should Avoid Parabens and Sulphates in Haircare

At Southside Hair and Beauty Design, we’re passionate about delivering quality hair care to our clients and ensuring the high standard of our products. No doubt you’ve heard a lot of talk about parabens and sulphates and the damaging impact they can have on your skin and hair. Many hair care companies are now creating products marketed as free of parabens and sulphates. But what are sulphates and parabens exactly, and why are they so bad for your hair? 

Parabens are chemicals that are commonly used in the cosmetic industry. Since the 1950s, manufacturers have included parabens in their products, as they function as a preservative and can prevent bacteria. Parabens are xenoestrogens, in that they can be compared to hormones in our bodies. While this might sound good on the outside, xenoestrogens actually disrupt our hormone balance and can even carry a cancer risk.

Some research has found that parabens can imitate the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen is crucial to our functioning, but abnormal hormonal activity has also been associated with breast cancer. Research into breast cancer has even detected parabens in some breast tumours.

If your shampoo foams into an amazing lather, it might be due to sulphates. Sulphates are cleansing and foaming agents which are found in a variety of cosmetic products. While we all want clean and healthy hair, sulphates are not all they seem to be on the surface. Studies have shown that sulphates can degenerate cell membranes as they break down proteins, and can also leave residue in the heart, lungs and brain.

While sulphates give your shampoo that lather we know you love, their function as a chemical detergent means they are naturally harsh on your hair and scalp. They can even strip your hair of its natural moisture, leading it to become dry, irritated, faded, and even to fall out.

There are things you can do to avoid parabens and sulphates and ensure healthy, lustrous hair.
 
We always encourage you to read the label. If sulphates are contained in your haircare products, you’ll most likely notice them high up on the ingredients list. Parabens are a little harder to spot. You might see them listed as butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben, but they can also hide under the name alkyl parahydroxy benzoates.
 
So what are some good ingredients to look out for? There are many natural hair care products that market themselves as paraben and sulphate free. Check your haircare labels for ingredients like plant-derived ethylhexylglycerin, or phenoxyethanol, a naturally-derived substance which can act as a preservative.
 
To maintain healthy hair, get in touch with our friendly team. Visit us for all your haircut and haircare appointments and have a chat with us about the products we use and recommend. We’d love to work with you to ensure your hair stays healthy and happy! Call us today on 02 6765 9695 to book your appointment.