Who doesn’t want a beautiful head full of hair? Unfortunately, not all of us are born with it. Some of us may have sensitive scalps, psoriasis, or eczema. No matter if we have one of these conditions or not, keeping our scalps clean is very important to get strong and healthy hair.
And for sensitive scalps, it is vital to not just keep our scalp clean but also to clean it with the right products. Keep reading to find out what shampoo you should be using to keep your scalp healthy and happy!
How to Know if You have a Sensitive Scalp?
You may have a sensitive scalp if you experience burning, tingling, pain, itching, redness, or inflammations. One of the main causes of sensitivity is none other than shampoo. If your shampoo has harsh cleansers or surfactants it may wash away your scalp’s natural acid mantle and helpful oils.
These acids and oils help protect your scalp from harsh environments. Thus, stripping your hair of these can leave your hair susceptible to dryness and irritation. Aside from that, if you have eczema or psoriasis, using the wrong type of shampoo can make your condition feel worse and leave your scalp irritated.
What to Look for in a Shampoo?
Now that you know that your shampoo might be getting in the way of a healthy scalp and causing more irritation than it should, it’s time for you to look out for the following properties when buying your next shampoo:
Surfactant Free
The lather or foam might be satisfying to wash your hair with, but it is generated due to the surfactants in the shampoo. Surfactants are basically like soap that gets rid of the oil and grease from your hair. As we mentioned previously, surfactants can often be too harsh on your scalp and destroy the pH balance you need for healthy hair.
So, you should go for a shampoo that doesn’t have harsh surfactants or doesn’t lather as much when you wash your hair. Going for more organic solutions might help you solve the problem.
Sulfate Free
Sulfates are chemicals used as cleaning agents. The most common sulfates found in shampoo are sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. They are combined with co-surfactants such as cocamidopropyl betaine. Sulfates are also surfactants that strip oil and dirt away from the hair.
But as we know, the hair needs to retain a bit of its natural moisture and oils to stay healthy. Sulfates can strip away too much moisture, leaving the hair dry and unhealthy. They may also make the scalp dry and prone to irritation. So, steer clear of these ingredients when choosing your shampoo.
Paraben Free
Parabens are known to promote hair growth and prevent bacteria. However, parabens can have estrogenic activity in the body and cause tumors, specifically breast cancer. Though the research on this is still unclear, it is best to avoid when something as serious as cancer is involved.
To avoid parabens, look for propylparaben, benzylparaben, methylparaben, or butylparaben on the label.
Fragrance Free
Even though we would all like to have our hair smell as nice as possible, the chemicals that cause the fragrance can also cause allergic reactions or exacerbate symptoms of asthma. They are known as endocrine blocking chemicals and are one of the top five allergens in the world.
Fragrance causing chemicals are fine for most people but they might not be for you if you have a sensitive scalp, eczema, or psoriasis. Try to opt for a shampoo with a mild fragrance or none if possible.
Silicone Free
Silicones are known to be hydrophobic which means they will push-away water. This means you will lose moisture contents from your hair and scalp which will undoubtedly dry out the skin. This will leave your scalp irritated and your hair will become dull, lifeless, and frizzy.
The most common names for silicone-based chemicals in shampoos are Dimethicone, Methicone, Amodimethicone, Phenyltrimethicone, Cyclomethicone, etc. So, choose a silicone free shampoo when you buy a shampoo next time.
Organic Shampoo
Shampoos with at least 95% of organic ingredients contain gentle cleansing agents, natural oils, vitamins, keratin, plant extracts, and proteins scented with organic essential oils. Organic shampoo might not lather like the chemical-based options but they will still clean your scalp just as well and cause little to no irritation. Try to look for a shampoo that is advertised as being organic.
Hypoallergenic Shampoo
You can also look for hypoallergenic shampoo as they will lack the chemicals that commonly irritate the scalp. Looking for the word ‘hypoallergenic’ on the label will be one of the easiest options for people with sensitive scalps instead of going through a list of ingredients the shampoo shouldn’t have.
Ingredients for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic auto-immune condition and it will also affect your scalp condition. The best shampoo for psoriasis would be something considered hypoallergenic, to ensure the scalp isn’t irritated further. Also opting for a shampoo with gentle, soothing ingredients, like aloe vera (unless you have an aloe vera allergy), known for its anti-inflammatory and gentle properties will leave your scalp feeling its best.
Ingredients for Eczema
People who suffer from eczema have an impaired skin barrier and thus are more susceptible to allergens and irritants. Possible ingredients that may especially irritate your scalp are fragrance, preservatives, surfactants and menthol.
To choose the best eczema shampoo, look for an organic brand with independent certification.
So, we can see that even though the chemical-based shampoos are marketed to be helpful they can actually make your scalp-conditions worse. Your symptoms might be exacerbated if you have a sensitive scalp, eczema, or psoriasis.
Going for organic, sulfate, and silicone free shampoo will undoubtedly soothe the symptoms of a sensitive scalp and give you the healthy hair that you want. And all this without the irritation and side-effects of the chemical-based shampoos! So, ditch your old shampoo and follow this guide for your next shampoo to relieve your sensitive scalp today!