4 Harmful Chemicals to Avoid in Curly Hair Products
No matter what your hair goal is, whether you’d love to have long curls or want to overcome years of hair damage, what you put on your hair makes a big difference. Organic or natural curly hair products can often be a good alternative to regular products. However, with a little more knowledge as to which ingredients are bad for your curls, you can make better hair purchases.
Here are 4 harmful chemicals to avoid in curly hair products.
Which chemicals are harmful to curly hair?
While it can be difficult to avoid chemicals completely, it’s always good to understand which ingredients may be harmful to your curls. Whether you suffer from dryness, itchiness or your hair has become difficult to style this can all be down to chemicals within products.
Sulfates are chemical detergents used in shampoos to create a soapy lather. But, while they make it feel like your hair is getting a good clean, the bad news is, they penetrate the hair’s cuticle and leave it open in the process. This can result in overly dry and brittle curls.
Since curly hair is already naturally drier than other hair types, choosing a sulfate-free shampoo is a smart choice that allows your hair to retain the essential oils that it needs to stay hydrated. A scalp massage brush can also help lift any buildup, dirt, and oils.
Many hair products use parabens to prevent bacterial growth in your hair. They can, however, also result in a variety of scalp and hair problems. Scalp irritation can result in constant scratching, which over time can harm the hair follicles and stop growth.
Opting for paraben-free products can minimise these problems as well as incorporating a scalp oil into your natural hair routine to nourish your hair at the root.
Products with silicones in them will lock out humidity and leave your hair feeling slick and smooth — this is fine in small doses but you should be aware of the long-term effects that silicones can have on curly hair.
For example, they can prevent water from entering the hair shaft by forming a coating around the hair which over time can make your curls limp. A good clarifying shampoo or apple cider vinegar rinse should help lift any residue on the hair
Alcohols are often found in curly hair products to mix ingredients and ensure that the product can better penetrate the hair. Although not all alcohols are bad, the problem is, bad alcohols are extremely drying, and in the long run they can cause brittleness, scalp irritation, and frizz.
Try and avoid products with chemicals such as Ethanol alcohol or Isopropanol alcohol and introduce a hydrating hair mask to help moisture your hair strands.
Don’t forget to check out the Curls N Lengths hair shop for our range of natural hair products, accessories, and tools. Our hair oils are free from harmful chemicals making them the perfect addition to your collection. Browse today!