Most 15 Harmful Chemicals That Should Be Avoided For Hair And Health

When it comes to hair, it’s one of the important things which can increase your beauty and confidence. Well, one of the major roles for hair fall is hair shampoo. There are many harmful chemicals in the shampoo which is harmful to hair and health too. 

The overall chemical composition of hair is 
42 to 45 % carbon appx,
26 to 28 % oxygen appx,
14 to15 % nitrogen appx, 
6 to7 % hydrogen appx and
4 to 5 % sulphur appx. 

The hair shaft is essentially composed of keratin. So keratin treatment is very important. Hair keratin is hard, compact and strong. This fibrous protein is gradually formed inside cells from the germinal layer.
After having brief insights about our hair contents, now let me throw some light on chemicals/compounds that may hinder your hair’s growth and in a worst-case scenario may affect our health-giving rise to various diseases.
1.sulfates
2.parabens
3.polyethylene Glycols (PEG)
4.Phthalates
5. Formaldehyde
6. Triclosan
7.Dimethicone
8.Retinyl palmitate
9.Alcohol
10.Fragrances
11. Colours
12.Toluene
13.Resorcinol
l14.Selenium sulfide
15. Quaternium-15

1. Sulfates;- it is used for cleaning dirt and excess natural oil which is produced by your body’s sebaceous (it’s called sebum) from hair. These surfactants like SLS, SLES, ALS  etc are very harmful chemical which can damage your hair and hormone disruptors if it is used for perpetuated periods. 

2.Parabens -It is used by manufacturers for preservatives purposes which are called parabens. They avert bacteria. Parabens have many types but in shampoos widely used parabens are butyl, propyl and ethyl parabens, clinically it does not prove but it can increase the risk of breast cancer. 

3.polyethylene Glycols (PEG)-It is not proved yet that PEG is toxic, but hair experts believe that PEG can have a damaging effect on your scalp. Polyethene glycol is spin-off petroleum that is used as a thickener

4. Phthalates-If your shampoo has this content, please just avoid using your shampoo.it is the most harmful chemical which can cause infertility amongst us. It is used to increase the density/volume of a product. It is used for shampoo to stay intact to the scalp.

5. formaldehyde- It is used as preservatives. The main problem with this chemical is that it is absorbed by your skin and in the long term, it can give skin disease. Bronopol, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternion-15 and Diazolidinyl urea are all formaldehyde releasers.

6. Triclosan-Again I would recommend discarding using your shampoo if it contains triclosan chemical because it is a hormone disruptor and it is believed that it gets amassed with your fat cells which makes your body prone to toxicity. Triclosan has some benefits as well as it is used as content for anti-bacteria in soaps /shampoo.

7. Dimethicone-It acts as a protective layer to the hair shaft also it prevents moisture from entering the hair. On contrary to this it can also cause scalp irritation by clogging the pores.

8. Retinyl palmitate-It is used as an antioxidant, Retinyl palmitate contains vitamin A in alcohol form. Its disadvantages can be skin itching, redness, peeling, it is known to cause cancer and generate problems to various organs.

9. Alcohol-Alcohol can make your hair dry. It is used as a thickener in the shampoo /conditioner. Bad alcohol, SD Alcohol 40, Propyl Alcohol can make your scalp strand. It keeps away moisturizer from your scalp. 

10. Fragrances-Added synthetic/ artificial fragrances in the shampoo/soaps can be the reason for cancers, asthma attacks and sometimes reproductive issues. It also affects your scalp and therefore there is a possibility of hair fall. If you have sensitive skin then you should avoid fragrances as it can give you a major headache.

11Toluene.This chemical is found on nail polish, shampoo, hair mask, conditioners. It is also known as benzene, methylbenzene, phenylmethane and toluene. It is the most toxic chemical in the market and we should avoid using this chemical as below issues can be caused
1. Damages the fetus at the development stages.
2.it also affects the central nervous system.

13. Resorcinol-Basically, it is used in hair dye and permanent hair colour. If it is used in excess then it can affect the immune system and disrupt the endocrine system.

14. Selenium sulfide– is an antifungal medicine, it prevents fungus from growing in your skin so it is used for dandruff treatment. Skin irritation, dry hair can surface due to its use.

15. Quaternium-15-It is also used as preservatives. a quaternary ammonium salt used as a surfactant and preservative in many cosmetics and industrial substances.
Cons –
1. it is a possible eye irritant
2. It is known as a human skin toxicant