Sulfate-Free Hair Shampoos

Best Washing Methods and Shampoos for Your Dreads

December 30, 2022July 9, 2017

Dreadlocks are a convenient hairstyle that looks wonderful on both women and men. Once they are established and get to the length that you want them, dreads require relatively minimal maintenance.

Dreadlocks work especially well for individuals with kinky coiled hair that is hard to tame. While it is easier for people with naturally curly hair to dreadlock their hair, people with straight hair can get beautiful locks also.

Dreadlocks don’t require daily brushing and styling like normal hair. They also don’t need regular trimming. They do require regular washing and proper care to look their best though. Some of the consequences of not keeping dreadlocks clean include unpleasant smell, itching of the scalp, excessive dandruff, and growth of mold and mildew.

If you care for them properly, dreadlocks are a much healthier hairstyle than styles achieved by chemical processing such as perming or straightening.

How to Wash Your Baby Locks

It is advised to avoid shampooing your hair for the first two weeks after you start dreading to give your locks time to form properly. If during this initial locking process your hair feels greasy, washing your dreads is recommended to prevent them from loosening. Excess oil makes hair slippery and inhibits the locking process.

To prevent your baby dreads from coming undone during washing, put rubber bands at the base and tips of your dreads. To avoid over-manipulating your locks, stretch a nylon stocking over your head before washing. Consider buying a washing cap made specifically for dreadlocks, which is designed to protect small or delicate locks from loosening while you are washing them.

To keep your locks healthy and neat, wash them at least once a week. If your hair is very oily, or you are sweating a lot during a workout, you need to wash your hair more frequently. Properly formed dreadlocks can be washed once or twice a week. Be careful, because over-washing your locks can unravel them. Another reason to avoid daily washing is that your dreadlocks take a long time to dry.

Washing Mature Dreadlocks

Regular washing of your dreadlocks is crucial because your scalp’s natural oils tend to lubricate the hair, causing dreadlocks to lose their shape.

Give your locks a good soak by running warm water over them. Apply shampoo to the scalp and roots of your dreadlocks. If you’re using a soap bar, rub it between your hands or against your scalp to work it into a lather. Focus on cleansing the roots and the scalp. Use the tips of your fingers to scrub the scalp to remove excess sebum and dead skin cells. You can also use a dreadlock shampoo brush to get in between the dreads, giving your scalp a good massage. A scalp massage helps exfoliate the scalp, stimulates blood flow, and strengthens the follicles.

Let the shampoo sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing. Hold your head down, allowing the shampoo lather to run through your locks while you gently squeeze and release them.

Importance of Proper Rinsing

Rinse your dreads using lukewarm water, while squeezing repeatedly, to get all the shampoo out of the hair. Make sure that there’s not any remaining residue within your locks when you finish washing. Shampoo residue coats the hair shaft, slowing the drying process and causing scalp irritation.

A conditioner is not good for dreads because conditioners contain lubricating and detangling ingredients that can loosen them.

To maintain shine, restore pH balance, and kill mold, apply a vinegar rinse twice a month after shampooing. Apply to your clean, wet hair, massage it into the scalp, and let it sit for a few minutes.

How to Dry Your Dreadlocks

After giving your dreadlocks a good squeeze, wrap them up in a large microfiber towel. Pinch each lock with a towel to dry them as much as possible. Leave the towel on for 10-20 minutes to help draw out residual moisture.

Dreadlocked hair takes a long time to dry because tightly packed hair strands don’t allow for proper air circulation. If you let your locks air dry, make sure they don’t sit damp for any longer than two hours to prevent an unpleasant smell and the growth of mold and mildew. Use a hair dryer to help your hair dry faster and to get the hair inside the locks as dry as possible.

Never go to bed when your dreads are still damp, as this will encourage mold and mildew issues. Don’t wash your hair later in the evening to allow it time to dry fully.

To speed up the drying process and ensure that your hair is completely dry, invest in a bonnet hair dryer or a bonnet hair dryer attachment.

Best Shampoos for Dreads

Most ordinary shampoos are unsuitable for washing dreadlocks. Regular shampoos contain fragrances, conditioners, softeners, thickeners, and other synthetic additives that lubricate the hair, stopping it from matting and causing the loosening of knots. Dreadlocked hair tends to hold residue much more than straight hair. Residue build-up can clog your pores, extend drying time, and cause an unpleasant odor. Chemicals trapped in your dreadlocks can also cause your scalp to itch and may inhibit hair growth.

Look for shampoos made with natural and organic ingredients that prevent irritation and dandruff, keep optimal pH balance, and stimulate hair growth. Residue-free shampoos, made from herbs, keep your hair grease-free and enable your strands to lock faster and tighter.

For proper cleansing and better lock formation, select a shampoo that is created specifically for dreadlocked hair. A shampoo for dreads leaves your hair clean and relieves an irritated scalp. It helps your dreads to lock up by leaving the strands squeaky clean. Your dreads will also dry more quickly.

1. Dollylocks Coconut Lime Grapefruit Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo is a residue-free shampoo formulated to meet the unique needs of dreadlocks. It is made with pure botanicals and coconut-based surfactants. It is pH-balanced and hypo-allergenic. Some of the coconut-derived ingredients tend to become solid in colder temperatures, but this will not negatively affect the product’s quality. To get the shampoo back to a fully liquid state, immerse the bottle in warm water and shake it up a few times before using it.

2. Dollylocks Nag Champa Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo is another residue-free shampoo from the same brand. The exotic, earthy floral Nag Champa scent will leave your hair feeling refreshed.

3. Dollylocks Nag Champa Dreadlock Shampoo Bar is a residue-free shampoo bar, formulated with pure organic ingredients. It refreshes and soothes the irritated scalp and increases hair elasticity.

4. Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo has a very cool minty smell that will leave your locks feeling clean and refreshed. This residue-free shampoo cleans your dreads, keeps them from getting over-dry, and helps soothe scalp irritation. This product is completely biodegradable.

5. Dread Head Dreadlock Soap leaves your hair clean and relieves an irritated scalp. It leaves the strands squeaky clean and rinses out easily without leaving any smell or residue behind.

A beautiful dark-skinned girl with dreads

Should You Go Fragrance-Free with your Shampoo?

January 2, 2023May 11, 2016

The fragrance is a blend of different ingredients that gives a pleasant scent to cosmetic products. Fragrance ingredients can be naturally sourced such as essential oils or created with synthetic chemicals in a lab.

A large percentage of shampoos (96%), conditioners (98%), and hair styling products (97%), contain fragrances.

The main reason for adding fragrances to hair shampoos is to give the product a clean and nice scent that will attract buyers. Fragrances can also be listed as “perfume” on your shampoo label. However, chemical compounds in a fragrance blend are not specified on the label.

Fragrances can also be added to hair care products to mask the bad odors of certain ingredients.

Beautiful woman holding fragrance-free shampoo

Difference Between “Unscented” and “Fragrance-Free” Shampoo

It is important to note that there is a difference between cosmetic products that are labeled “unscented” and those that are labeled “fragrance-free”. The term “unscented” means that only the aromatic fragrances intended to give nice smells are excluded from the formula. “Unscented” products still may contain functional fragrances used to mask the unpleasant odors of some ingredients. The term “fragrance-free” means that the product doesn’t contain any form of fragrance. Such a product is also free of artificial and natural scents, including essential oils.

Is Fragrance Bad for You?

The majority of people are unaware of the potential dangers hidden in their heavenly-smelling hair products. Prolonged exposure to certain fragrances can worsen some health problems. Some synthetic chemicals in fragrances have been linked to respiratory issues such as sinus attacks and asthma, while some may provoke allergic reactions. Some fragrances could even mess with our body’s hormones’ function.

How Do Fragrances Enter Your Body?

There are two main ways how fragrances enter your body:

Skin: Your skin is considered the primary way of exposure to fragrances. When problematic ingredients get absorbed into the skin, they may result in eczema, allergies, inflammation, or rashes. In addition to being harmful to the skin, some compounds can enter the bloodstream and the fatty tissues, which then can affect the vital organs. It is important to note that residues of fragrances may remain on the hair and skin even after repeated washings.

Inhalation: Another way you can be exposed to fragrances is through inhalation. Fragrances are made of small molecular-weight substances that quickly dissipate in the air. When inhaled, these compounds go into the lungs and can affect the brain and nervous system. This affects hormone control and is a potential source of health hazards for people who have migraines, allergies, sinus problems, asthma, and lung diseases. Regardless of the route of entry, these chemicals can build up in the body.

Environmental Concerns

Fragrances are rather aggressive substances that affect the quality of the indoor and outdoor air. The chemicals may get dispersed into the environment as a result of being washed into groundwater, and the waterways. They can be ingested by fishes and other aquatic life, contributing to the contamination of the ecosystem.

How to Protect Yourself and Others?

The ideal approach is to opt for fragrance-free cosmetic products whenever possible. Hair shampoo is used frequently and in combination with other chemical-laden personal care products can pose a health risk. Therefore, it is advisable to use hair shampoos that are labeled “scent-free”, “fragrance-free” or “unscented”.

Fragrance-free personal care products can be purchased at any pharmacy, some supermarkets, and most online stores. Make sure to always look at the ingredients on the label, and when possible, also check the product for smells with your nose. This is a good way to ensure that there is no scent regardless of what is written on the package.

By opting for cosmetic products that are fragrance-free, you are doing good for your body. In addition, you will be contributing your quota towards creating an environment that is safe and healthy.

a woman shopping for fragrance-free shampoo

Fragrance-Free Shampoos

The following is a short list of hair shampoos made without synthetic fragrances and other harmful chemicals:

JASON Fragrance-Free Daily Shampoo is particularly suitable for people with sensitive scalps. Since 1959 the JĀSÖN company has been creating natural and eco-friendly cosmetics. Their products have become a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical-laden cosmetic products.
Fragrance-Free Shampoo Conditioner Bundle by Desert Essence is a gentle yet effective unscented duo for washing your hair. Desert Essence beauty products don’t contain artificial fragrances, colors, parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, silicones, EDTA, phosphates, glycol, or petroleum-based ingredients.
Pharmaceutical Specialties Free & Clear Hair Shampoo for Sensitive Skin is a mild shampoo suitable for sensitive scalps. It is free from fragrances and other harsh chemicals that can be found in commercial hair shampoos.
No Nothing Very Sensitive Shampoo is fragrance-free, vegan, and formulated without harmful chemicals. The No Nothing is a Finland beauty company committed to making hypoallergenic hair products.

What Is Hidden Under the Label?

The manufacturers don’t have to individually list the ingredients used to give their products the “signature smell”, because this is considered a “trade secret”. You just can read “fragrance” on the ingredients list. Over 3,000 chemicals used to create fragrances are hidden on the label as “fragrance” or “perfume”. Some fragrances could include phthalates to make the smell last longer. Phthalates are a group of harmful chemicals known for their endocrine-disrupting effects, but consumers have no idea that these compounds are hidden inside their shampoo bottles. Due to undisclosed fragrance ingredient information, phthalates in fragrance formulations are not required to be listed either.

Although fragrances can make your hair smell amazing, they can do more harm than good in the long run. If you do opt for scented shampoos, choose products that use natural fragrances like essential oils.

How to Buy A Shampoo without Harmful Chemicals

January 2, 2023May 1, 2016

Though most of us understand that the beauty industry uses synthetic chemicals, many people don’t know that certain commonly-found ingredients in hair products are doing you more harm than good.

Although it sounds logical that the goods we use daily are safe, some hair products may contain ingredients that are linked to health problems. Synthetic chemicals in hair products may cause allergies, skin irritation, and hormonal problems. Some substances may be harmful even at low concentrations when getting in contact with your skin frequently. Plus, once rinsed out, chemicals from hair products will end up in the groundwater and soil.

Chemicals from hair products can get into your body through the skin or you may inhale them when using hair sprays. To avoid harmful side effects, you need to choose your daily products carefully.

a smiling woman in the bathroom holding a shampoo bottle

One of the best ways you can reduce your exposure to chemicals is by purchasing products that are labeled as organic or natural.

Read Your Shampoo’s Label

Most people don’t care about the ingredient list when purchasing hair shampoo. Reading product labels can be confusing because the ingredients are usually listed as chemical compounds. In addition to that, the average user is not informed about the possible side effects of chemicals in hair shampoos. However, this should not deter you from reading the labels before making a purchase.

Here is an easy way to get information about harmful ingredients in hair shampoo before purchasing it.

The Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database is an organization that analyses personal care products to inform you about the ingredients. They also rate the overall safety of these products.

How to Make Sure that Your Shampoo is Safe?

First, you need to visit the EWG Skin Deep environmental group’s website and type in the search bar the name of the product you have in mind. When you type the name of your shampoo, you will get a hazard score based on the ingredients. Each ingredient is classified as having a low, medium, or highly harmful health and environmental impact.

There can be possible outcomes, ranging from one to ten (with 10 being the worst score possible). Here is how to interpret the results:

The most toxic products appear in red (7-10). You should stay away from them because they contain the most harmful ingredients.
Orange-colored products (3-6) include ingredients with a moderate toxicity level.
Green products (1-2) contain only non-toxic ingredients.

a young woman looking for a hair shampoo online

In some cases, searching using the product name may not return any results because the EWG database doesn’t have data about each product on the market. Also, certain products may be sold under different brand names. To bypass the problem try using the company name, brand, or anything related to the product. This way you can get a list of products associated with a company. Take a look at the ratings of their products to get a general impression of how a particular company cares about its customers’ well-being. If your current shampoo manufacturer has a lot of “reds”, consider switching to a different brand.

If you do not get any results by searching for the product, brand name, or company, you can analyze the ingredients on the label. It may seem like a time-consuming task, but you do not have to go through the entire ingredient list. When you see the first two “red” or “orange” scores, you will know that the product doesn’t meet your criteria.

A helpful tip is that many of the ingredients can be classified into recognizable groups:

The PEG-s are orange and you should avoid them at all costs
The parabens are orange or red and you can easily spot them due to the paraben suffix in their name.

After analyzing several products, you will become familiar with the toxicity level of commonly used ingredients in hair shampoos, so you don’t need to check them again.

You can also get information on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Cosmetics Info websites.

Bad Ingredients in Hair Shampoo

“Fragrance” is the term that companies use to hide synthetic chemicals that can cause respiratory problems or migraines. To stay on the safe side you can buy a fragrance-free shampoo or one with essential oils.

The most common “red” chemicals in conventional hair shampoos are Benzyl Salicylate, Butylparaben, Cocamide DEA, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Geraniol, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Lilial, Methylisothiazolinone, Propylparaben, and Retinyl Palmitate.

a brunette girl shopping for hair shampoo

Shampoo Ingredients You Should Avoid

The most common “orange” compounds in commercial hair shampoos are Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Diazolidinyl Urea, Ethylparaben, Hexyl Cinnamal, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Lecithin, Limonene, Linalool, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylparaben, Octinoxate/Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PEGs, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sulisobenzone/Benzophenone, and Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E).

Many dandruff shampoos contain harmful ingredients like Coal Tar, Selenium Sulfide, Zinc Pyrithione, and Ketoconazole.

Takeaway

Once you start reading shampoo labels, the way you shop for beauty products will change. The benefit of this new approach is that you can limit your exposure to harmful chemicals. Using natural and organic hair products is good for your overall health in the long term. The time spent on checking product labels is worth it!

Sulfate Free Shampoos for Oily Scalp and Hair

February 17, 2023November 8, 2015

Proper care for oily scalp and hair starts with the right shampoo. If you have very oily hair, look for a shampoo that meets the following requirements:

Lasting Solution: The product you pick should offer a lasting solution, not just cover up the problem. Be sure to use a shampoo formulated especially for oily hair. Look for the terms “sebum control”, “oil control”, “for oily hair“, “clarifying”, or “volumizing”.

Stay away from shampoos that are advertised as moisturizing, conditioning, or smoothing. Your hair is already oily and doesn’t need additional moisture.

Don’t choose the cheapest shampoo you can find, but you don’t have to select the most expensive one either. There are plenty of quality products that are reasonably priced. To find a lower price go online and try to find money-saving offers and discounts.

a woman with oily hair reading a shampoo label

Sulfate-Free: Shampoo for greasy hair should be effective in balancing sebum levels without causing any harm to your scalp and hair. A mild, sulfate-free shampoo enriched with essential oils of tea tree, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, or lemongrass will help control sebum production and increase the time between hair washes.

Natural Ingredients: A quality shampoo for oily scalp and hair needs to be formulated with natural ingredients. Chemical-free hair shampoos are a better option for your hair and scalp and your overall health. Chemicals you should avoid include Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, formaldehyde, parabens, Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), Propylene Glycol, and synthetic fragrances.

PH Balanced: Check if the label indicates that your shampoo is “pH balanced“, as an improperly balanced shampoo can strip away the natural oils from your scalp. This will force your scalp to produce even more oils. A pH-balanced shampoo respects the balance created by nature which makes it suitable for frequent use. The pH level of human hair is between 4.5 and 5.5.

Transparency: Opt for a clear or translucent shampoo and avoid creamy and rich shampoo formulas. Opaque shampoos contain conditioning ingredients and additives that can cause product build-up thus contributing to greasy-looking hair. Also make sure to select a silicone-free shampoo, because the silicone coating around the hair shaft can make hair look flat and heavy.

Natural Shampoos for Oily Hair

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1. Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo for Oily Hair uses natural ingredients to offer relief to oily/itchy scalp. The product comes in a handy bottle and has a clean, refreshing scent of rosemary. It creates a rich foam while causing a mild tingling sensation on your scalp. It usually takes about 10 days to fix the imbalance in sebum production that causes greasy hair.

The formula contains 100% botanical ingredients certified by QAI & the United States Department of Agriculture for Organics Processing. These botanical ingredients include rosemary, French cypress, lemon, basil, jojoba oil, argan oil, and botanical keratin.

Make sure to follow directions and let the shampoo sit on your scalp for a few minutes before rinsing to maximize the absorption of active ingredients. To gain the maximum effects, massage the shampoo into your scalp.

2. Natural Oily Hair Shampoo for Men and Women by Honeydew is a 100% natural shampoo formulated with a blend of essential oils to balance sebum production, so you can go longer between washes. Yarrow oil helps get rid of excess oil that clings to your hair, causing it to feel greasy.

The formula is free of harsh sulfate cleansers, parabens, and sodium chloride. It is safe to use on colored and keratin-treated hair.

3. Leonor Greyl Paris Bain TS Balancing Shampoo promises to purify and cleanse the oily scalp, providing immediate results. It is suitable for individuals with oily scalps and dry ends.

Lime Tree Oil and Sage Leaf Extract help get rid of excess sebum and other follicle-clogging impurities, while conditioning ingredients prevent stripping moisture from the hair and work to repair dry ends.

4. Desert Essence Organics Hair Care Shampoo for Oily Hair is a gentle, all-natural shampoo formulated with sustainable, organic ingredients that help get the oil out of your hair.

Organic oils and Lemon Peel Extract help to remove excess sebum and buildup without stripping the natural moisture. 100 % Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil is known for its antiseptic properties and the capability to control excessive sebum production.

Dry Shampoos for Oily Hair

a woman using dry shampoo to degrease her oily hair

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle for Oily Hair and Scalp is formulated to soak up excess sebum and refresh oily hair and scalp between washes. The extract from the Nettle is known for its ability to reduce excess oil and regulate sebum production over time. It also gives some extra volume to fine and thinning hair. This shampoo is great for mornings when you have no time to wash and blow dry your hair.

Shampoo Bars for Oily Hair

Ethique Eco-Friendly Solid Shampoo Bar for Oily Hair uses Lime, Lemon, and Orange extracts and oils to balance natural sebum production and clean your hair. It also soothes an itchy scalp, leaving it nourished and flake-free.

This bar lathers well and leaves your hair feeling clean, soft, and weightless. If you are environmentally conscious, you’ll like this shampoo bar. It is natural, vegan, and helps reduce the use of plastic bottles.

a woman using a towel to dry the hair after washing

Hair Straightening Shampoos: Benefits and Limitations

January 3, 2023August 23, 2015

There are several methods to straighten your hair and obtain a sleek look and easy-to-style locks. Heat-based styling tools temporarily break down hydrogen bonds in the hair to make your lock look shiny and elegant. Flat ironing and blow-drying with a round brush are the most common ways to get smooth and lustrous hair without the use of chemicals. Heat-styling tools only temporarily change hair texture, and you need to style your hair after each shampooing.

Hair relaxing treatment and Japanese Hair Straightening are chemical straightening techniques that permanently break the bonds in the hair, leaving your locks looking straight and sleek until your hair grows out. Brazilian keratin treatment is a semi-permanent hair straightening treatment that gradually fades over time, lasting approximately about three months.

But what about hair straightening shampoos? Can shampoos straighten hair?

a beautiful young woman straightening her hair after using a straightening shampoo

Can Shampoo Make Your Hair Straight?

There are many shampoos on the market that are claimed to have a straightening effect on the hair. Such claims may encourage unreal expectations about what the product can provide. This post is written to explain what hair-straightening shampoos can do for your hair and what makes them different from ordinary shampoos. With this information, you can decide easily if you want to include them in your hair care regimen or not.

Do Straightening Shampoos Straighten Hair?

No, they don’t!

There are some limitations to what rinse-out products such as hair shampoos can do for your hair:

A straightening shampoo or conditioner can’t straighten hair. To transform your curls into straight hair, you’ll still need to use a flat iron.
Straightening shampoos cannot replace flat iron, hot brush, or other heat straighteners.
Straightening shampoos are not nearly as effective as chemical straighteners.

Is there a Straightening Shampoo that Makes Hair Straighter?

Yes. But this is an exception.

The First Straightening Shampoo by Sweet Hair is a hair straightening product that has the term “straightening shampoo” in its name.

This professional beauty product is created and patented by “Sweet Hair Professional”. The company took 2 and a half years to develop the technology.

The First is actually a naturally based semi-permanent, amino acid smoothing treatment that is meant to be applied by a hair professional. The stylist applies the product to towel-dried hair and then massages the hair to create rich foam. The product is supposed to sit in the hair for about 20 minutes. The hair is then divided into thin sections and flat ironed. The temperature should be set between 375ºF and 450ºF. A heat-activated blend of organic acids in the shampoo creates chemical bonds in the hair, generating hair straightening. The result is frizz-free, smooth, and manageable hair with reduced volume. Straightened hair can be washed, colored, lightened, or toned on the same day.

Now that we understand what The First Straightening Shampoo by Sweet Hair is we will continue our story about so-called “straightening shampoos” with this exception in mind. Our further information doesn’t apply to The First Straightening Shampoo by Sweet Hair.

Does Hair-Straightening Shampoo Work?

Yes, it works for what it is formulated for. But this is not to make your hair straight. Hair straightening shampoos can assist in preparing your hair for straight hairstyles. So, your hair can be more manageable, less coarse, and easier to straighten by using traditional hair straightening tools. Let’s go deeper into what hair-straightening shampoos can do for you.

What Are Potential Benefits of Using Hair Straightening Shampoos

Here’s what you can expect from using a hair straightening shampoo:

Your hair will be shinier and less prone to frizz.
Your curls or waves will be more defined, softer, and shinier.
Your hair will be easier to comb and less prone to tangles.
It will take less time to style your hair by using heat-based tools.
Less heat will be required to get the desired straight look.
Your straight hairstyle may last longer.

Basically, hair straightening shampoos are supposed to support the heat styling process and make it easier for you to maintain your hairstyle. They can also be used to wash chemically straightened hair as long as they don’t have harsh sulfates and sodium chloride in their formulas.

What Are the Differences Between Straightening Shampoos and Regular Shampoos?

Straightening shampoos contain higher levels of conditioning agents like silicones and polymers that can stick to your hair. These ingredients stay in the hair, reduce porosity, and work against the hair’s natural tendency to get poofy and frizzy.

Straightening shampoos should be used similarly to your regular shampoo. To get maximum results, distribute the product evenly throughout your hair with a wide-tooth comb. Leave it to sit in the hair for a few minutes. A straightening shampoo works best when paired with a hair straightening conditioner and followed up with a leave-in conditioner or a smoothing serum.

Silicones in Hair Straightening Shampoos

Silicones are very effective smoothing ingredients that make hair sleek, more manageable, and frizz-free. Many hair-smoothing shampoos contain silicones in their formula.

Silicones in hair products form a thin, waterproof coating around the hair shaft. This microfilm around hair helps reduce porosity and prevents hair from absorbing moisture from the air, making your locks more resistant to humidity. Silicones smooth the hair’s cuticle, which adds some extra shine and luster to your hair. They also reduce surface friction, making combing and detangling hair easier.

Silicone ingredients in hair products can be identified by the suffix -cone, -conol, or -xane at the end of the chemical name on the ingredient panel.

Unwanted Effects of Silicones in Hair Shampoos

Silicone coats the hair shaft creating smooth and shiny hair. But this protective coating prevents moisture and nutrients from penetrating the hair shaft.
This fine silicone coating on the hair prevents other hair treatments from working and also prevents hair dye from entering the hair shaft.
Products containing silicone can leave a residue that builds up in the hair, making it look dull, lifeless, and greasy over time.
Some silicone deposits are difficult to wash out from the hair. To get rid of them you have to use a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos commonly contain sulfates and can be harsh on your hair if your hair is on the dry side.

happy young woman with long straight hair

Why Should You Use Salt & Sulfate-Free Shampoo after Receiving a Keratin Treatment?

December 16, 2022February 11, 2015

Since keratin treatment is an expensive and time-consuming process, you’ll want to take the appropriate steps to care for your hair by choosing a shampoo and conditioner that will ensure its longevity. To preserve the smoothness of keratin-straightened hair, you should use shampoos and conditioners that are formulated without sulfates and sodium chloride. Before buying any aftercare product, check the label to ensure that the product is compatible with your keratin treatment.

Why Should You Avoid Sulfate-Containing Shampoos After Receiving a Keratin Treatment?

Generally, sulfate-based shampoos are not recommended for chemically treated hair. The cuticle of processed hair can easily be lifted due to the action of harsh lathering agents, which leads to dryness and the appearance of frizz. Sulfates can also strip proteins from your hair. Many experts believe that strong sulfates such as sodium laureth sulfate can significantly shorten the longevity of keratin treatment and lead to the appearance of frizz.

Beautyful woman washes the hair in the bathroom

Is Sodium Chloride Bad for Your Hair?

Sodium chloride is used in hair shampoos as a thickening agent because of its ability to increase the thickness of liquid personal care products. However, sodium chloride tends to lift the cuticle and pull moisture and proteins out of hair. Salt can diminish the duration and quality of keratin treatments, so you will need more frequent reapplications. Any product that opens up the cuticles should be avoided after receiving a keratin treatment.

Sodium chloride is not a toxic substance and even some brands of organic shampoos may have salt listed on the label. However, if your hair is chemically straightened, make sure that your shampoo and other hair products are free of sodium chloride.

Keep in mind that salt water also contains sodium chloride and can negatively affect the keratin treatment you have received.

The Purpose of Sulfates in Hair Shampoos

Sulfates are powerful cleansing agents, that are included in hair shampoo formulas to provide better lathering ability. When mixed with water, sulfates effectively lower surface tension in the water, making it easy to wash away oil and dirt from your hair. The most common sulfates in conventional shampoos include SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), ALS (ammonium laureth sulfate), and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate).

SLS and SLES are inexpensive detergents that efficiently remove excess oil from the scalp and hair. However, harsh sulfates in hair shampoos can strip hair of natural oils, leaving your locks prone to frizz and leaving your scalp dry and vulnerable to irritations.

Common Adverse Effects Associated with Sulfates in Hair Shampoos

Although very common in hair care products, sulfates do more bad than good when used as a primary cleansing agent. The following is a list of negative adverse effects associated with sulfates in hair shampoos:

The cleaning power of sulfates is overwhelming and can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving your strands dry and frizzy.
Sulfate-based shampoos can compromise the natural moisture balance of your scalp, causing itchiness and redness.
Sulfate-based detergents create deposits in hair follicles that may result in hair loss. The damaged follicles have a hard time recovering, and your hair may grow slower than normal.
The aggressive cleaning action of sulfate detergents can strip the color from your hair, leaving you with dull and lifeless locks.
Sulfate cleaning agents remove good bacteria that are necessary for having a healthy scalp, leaving your skin vulnerable to infections.
Sulfate cleansers tend to destroy the protective oil layer of the skin, allowing potentially toxic chemicals to penetrate the deeper dermal layers and accumulate in the body.
The negative effects of using sulfate-containing shampoos are not limited to the hair and your overall health. Sulfates in personal care products also pollute our groundwater and the environment.

Woman holding the bottle of salt-free shampoo

Benefits of Using Sulfate-Free Shampoos

Sulfate-free shampoos have become very popular recently as consumers increasingly opt for more natural personal care products. Here are some more benefits of using shampoos without sulfates:

Hair shampoos without sulfates eliminate dirt and excess oil without ruining the skin’s protective moisture barrier.
Natural cleansing agents gently cleanse your strands without stripping their moisture, which helps reduce breakage and shedding.
Using a shampoo without sulfates helps preserve the hair color for longer.
Using sulfate-free shampoos protect your hair against premature aging, reducing the occurrence of gray hair.
Sulfate-free shampoos leave your hair soft and easier to style.
Hair shampoos formulated with mild detergents reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

Final Word

The sulfate-containing shampoos will not ruin the effects of your keratin treatment overnight. However, to stay on the safe side, use shampoos with mild detergents and with natural ingredients. This will be good for your hair and scalp in the long run. Finally, if you want your straightened hair to stay sleek and beautiful, make sure to avoid shampoos with sodium chloride.

Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoos

December 17, 2022June 20, 2014

Frequent use of styling products can create buildup on the hair over time and make your strands feel heavy, dull, and unmanageable.

Clarifying shampoos are designed to deeply cleanse hair and scalp to remove product build-up and residue from regular shampoos and conditioners.

Ordinary shampoos are a mixture of surfactants, conditioning agents, and special care ingredients that should treat specific hair and scalp issues. Due to the high content of conditioning ingredients, ordinary shampoos can’t effectively eliminate mineral buildup, chlorine deposits, and polymer film created by styling products.

Clarifying shampoos contain a higher concentration of detergents than standard shampoos. They can thoroughly remove product buildup, without leaving any residues. To refresh your scalp and keep your hair shiny and healthy-looking, you need to use these deep cleansing shampoos.

How often you need to clarify depends on your hair care regime, the frequency of swimming, and the quality of water in your home.

Advantages of Sulfate-Free Cleansing Shampoos

Commonly used primary cleaning agents in hair shampoos are sulfate-based surfactants. Sulfates are excellent cleansers that produce abundant foam. However, if you overuse them, sulfates in hair shampoos can irritate your scalp and strip your hair of its protective natural oils.

Sulfate detergents in hair shampoos also may cause hair color to fade.

Sulfate-free clarifying shampoos have a formula that balances the cleaning ability and other factors that include scalp irritation and overall product toxicity. The “Sulfate-Free” label means that your shampoo is formulated without harsh sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, or ammonium laureth sulfate.

Sulfate-free deep cleansing shampoos do not foam as much as sulfate-containing shampoos, but this does not mean that they are less efficient. The foam does not have cleaning properties, although it helps in spreading the shampoo over the scalp and hair. Knowing customer preferences, shampoo manufacturers often add foam boosters to their products to make them more commercially successful.

Is Clarifying Shampoo Safe for Color-Treated Hair?

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People with color-treated hair should clarify less often and they should only use a clarifying shampoo specified for colored hair. Color-safe clarifying shampoos are designed to remove product residue and other impurities without stripping hair color. They remove product buildup and color-dulling residue while preventing excessive dryness and color stripping.

Pureology Purify Shampoo for Color Treated Hair (available at Walmart) is a sulfate-free formula that uses a purifying blend of natural oils and organic botanicals to gently yet thoroughly cleanse and detoxify scalp and hair.

Verb Reset Renouveau Clarifying Shampoo gently removes the build-up from styling products and adds a glossy shine to your hair. The product doesn’t contain harmful sulfates, parabens, or gluten. It clarifies and soothes the scalp and doesn’t strip natural moisture or color out of the hair.

If your hair is color-treated, use a clarifying shampoo no more than once a week. Even the most gentle formulas shouldn’t be used regularly on colored hair. Also, make sure to use a moisturizing conditioner after each shampooing.

Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoos for Natural Hair

If you are looking for an alternative to chemical-laden clarifying shampoos, you will be impressed with Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Oil Omega-3-6-9 Rescue & Repair Clarifying Shampoo (available at Walmart). This shampoo uses natural ingredients to remove the buildup of styling products, leaving your locks clean, soft, and supple. It gently cleanses hair without stealing its natural moisture or being aggressive on your scalp.

Unlike most sulfate-free shampoos this shampoo creates a rich lather and easily spreads all over the hair. It also refreshes the scalp and helps with the dandruff issue.

This shampoo works great on dry curly hair and is suitable for daily use.

Scalp Cleansing Shampoos

Styling products you apply to the hair, as well as excess sebum and pollutants, can build up on your scalp. Such accumulated deposits can clog hair follicles causing inflammation and irritation to this sensitive skin area. Scalp cleansing shampoos are designed to thoroughly cleanse the scalp and keep it feeling refreshed and healthy.

Activated Charcoal Shampoo by Saragan is formulated with pure natural ingredients to thoroughly cleanse the hair and leave it soft and moisturized. It also de-greases the scalp, removes buildup from products and hard water, and relieves itching. The possible downsides of this shampoo are its intense black color and masculine scent.

Use your fingers to massage the scalp or use a shampoo brush to work the shampoo into your scalp. Such massage helps to remove the build-up and boosts blood circulation in the scalp area.

Clarifying Shampoos for Oily Hair and Scalp

Degrease Shampoo for Oily Hair and Scalp by Maple Holistics helps alleviate grease and hair buildup, and restores the pH balance of the scalp.

This natural clarifying formula uses a blend of essential oils to clean hair follicles and lift the roots of the hair prone to getting oily and flat. It also contains Jojoba oil which is known for its ability to control the production of sebum and keep the pores clean.

Cypress, lemon, and rosemary essential oils have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. These oils help fight infections and keep the scalp healthy and each-free. They also support blood circulation to the follicles, stimulating hair growth.

Hairdresser washes client's hair with sulfate-free clarifying shampoos

What is Chelating Shampoo?

While most clarifying shampoos are formulated to remove styling product residue that leaves a film on the surface of the hair, chelating shampoos are preferably meant to remove minerals, metals, and swimming pool chemicals from the hair.

Chelating shampoos are more potent than ordinary clarifying shampoos and can efficiently eliminate deposits from hard water and chlorine as well as product buildup.

When used as a post-swimming shampoo, a chelating shampoo prevents the build-up of chlorine and other pool chemicals and protects your hair from damage, dryness, and discoloration.

Chelating shampoos are also must-have products for people who struggle with hard water in their areas. If the water in your area is very hard and you don’t have a whole house water filtration system, you should use a chelating shampoo as a part of your hair care routine.

Sulfate-Free Chelating Shampoos

If you live in an area with hard water, Ion Hard Water Shampoo can help reduce the negative impacts of hard water minerals on your hair and scalp. This shampoo prevents hard water minerals and iron from coating your strands. It also reverses existing damage and discoloration and increases hair manageability and shine. Ion Hard Water Shampoo helps reduce hair loss caused by extremely hard water.

Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Shampoo is designed to prevent the build-up of pool chemicals in the swimmer’s hair. This gentle, sulfate-free shampoo is formulated with botanicals, antioxidants, and vitamins to get rid of chlorine and keep hair from becoming heavy, tangled, or discolored. It also helps get rid of the chlorine smell that tends to linger in the hair after swimming. Malibu swimmers shampoo is safe for all hair types, including color-treated and permed hair.