Hair Care News

SLS Free Shampoo

Posted on February 9, 2011 with No Comments

Anyone with a computer will tell you there is a lot of information on SLS out there today. Some of it is good or inconclusive, but for the most part it has some pretty bad reviews. There are studies that show that it can actually cause cancer in some cases. Today we are going to talk about SLS too study the pros and cons. Hopefully you will leave here with enough information to make an informed decision on your own.

SLS is short for Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is the gentler of the two sulfates. When ever you are studying sulfates you will hear the word surfactant used quite a bit. Surfactant mean basically the product helps separate oil or grease from a surface. Companies use SLS because it cuts oils and suds up. People think because there shampoo is foamy that it is really good, which is not always true. This just means that it has SLS in it. That is why SLS free shampoo does not foam up nearly as much.

You can find SLS in products ranging from engine degreasers and floor cleaners to toothpaste and shaving foam. The majority of the time there is very little SLS actually found in the products themselves, just enough to make it foam up. So can SLS really harm you? This is a really hot topic. Here is some basic information about SLS, this should give you the tools you need to make your own informed choice.

There have been many scientific studies done that have shown that SLS can be harmful. Some that have even shown that if you use SLS too much it can cause cancer. Once your body absorbs the SLS into it, it has no feasible means of getting rid of it. This can cause the product to build up over time leading to health problems ranging from hair loss to cancer. It is unknown at the current time how long it takes for SLS to build up in our systems.

SLS has been blamed for many sicknesses on the Internet in the past few years. Most of these allegations are just that. The most common way SLS effects people is by allergic reactions so if you are using a shampoo that contains SLS and your scalp becomes sore and swollen it could be a sulfate allergy. Keep in mind it could be other things as well so the only be to really tell is to get an allergy test done by a doctor.

The harmful effects of SLS have also been call a lie. Some people say it was corporate sabotage. One thing to think about is if SLS is that bad for you would 99% of the beauty industry use it? The answer is yes and no. Some complaints would use it just because it is much cheaper the sulfate free ingredients. Others use it but use the most mild form available. Other brands have used it in the past but are slowly converting over. While some beauty makers refuse to use it all together.

Many companies now are introducing sls free shampoos into their lineup of products. They are doing this for people who do not like sls, have severe allergies or have very sensitive skin. One good thing is the easiest way to tell is by simply looking at the bottle to see the ingredient list. SLS free shampoos are not going anywhere soon, they are becoming more popular on a daily basis. So if you feel like your shampoo is holding you down simply look for one that is sls free. You will be glad you did.

Advantages of SLS-free Shampoo

Posted on December 29, 2009 with 1 Comment

“Green” is big now – not only in terms of our environment, but also in terms of what we eat, supplements, what we wear, and how we recycle.  So, it is no suprise that sls-free shampoo is getting a lot of attention.  So, what’s the big deal with sls-free cleansers and, oh BTW, what are they?

What is SLS-FREE?

For those not in the hair products industry or who are not formulators for a manufacturer, SLS is short for Sodium Laurel Sulphate…and is also often referred to as “sulfate-free shampoo”.  It is a surfactant – a cleanser – used in shampoos.  It is what creates the “bubbles” and the lather.

The Trend is not only for hair health, but the environment

Surfactants are used in many cleaning products…dish washing liquid, clothes detergent, carpet cleaner, car wash, etc.  And interestingly, your daily shampoo may have more in common with carpet cleaner than you might expect or like to know.

Why Should I Care?

Put simply, there are several options to make the foaming lather in shampoos.  The two most commonly used for hair cleansers are Sodium Laurel Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.  Though they look and sound the same, they are not.  “Laurel” is considered harsh – being harmful to the biology of the follicles and scalp as well as stripping color, perms and chemical treatments, and creating splitting and general damage.

If you take a look at the ingredients on a bottle of shampoo (I know, who reads the labels on shampoos??!), you’ll notice the surfactant and liquid base one of the first ingredients on the list.

The trend, not only for hair health, but for the environment, is to use less harmful cleansing agents that biodegrade quicker and help protect the follicles and scalp while still providing adequate cleansing action.  The result of this trend is the advent and increasingly popularity of SLS-Free shampoo – or, essentially products that do not have Sodium LAUREL Sulfate; though some include its cousin Laureth in with definition when referring to sulfate-free.

What are the Advantages?

The benefits and advantages are easy to see.  Many users have noticed their hair is less dry and able to retain moisture and hydration.  Others have pointed out that damage is experienced less often – especially when using heated styling appliances. 

Other users of SLS-Free shampoos report improved volume, body and control; and, one of the most cited advatages is color treatments last longer.

While we don’t necessarily promote everyone start combing the back of their hair care products, it is useful to know that cheap(er) shampoos will generally use LAURETH, or worse.  Why?  Because the ingredient is less expensive – much less expensive.  As you might know be considering, there is some truth to “cheap supermarket” products being bad for your hair and the “professional salon” products being good.