In a recent statement released by doctors
from Taiwan, they advised the public to opt for shampoos that are appropriate
for their scalp conditions. This is to reduce the incidence of hair loss and
other symptoms.
This came about when a man was reported to
suffer from severe hair loss after sharing a bottle of shampoo with his
girlfriend which was actually formulated to revitalize permed and damaged hair.
The shampoo was said to have contained a number of nutrients which are not
suited for the man’s condition therefore clogging his scalp follicles.
The symptoms did not appear right away and
it took months before it was finally noticeable. It was the man’s use of
inappropriate shampoo that exacerbated any pre-existing conditions that he has.
This means to say that shampoos are not simply for cleansing, but you should
also learn to look at the ingredient most especially if you have certain hair
and scalp conditions.
In this particular case where the man used
his girlfriend’s shampoo, it is important to know that the dermal sebaceous
glands in men function at twice the rate as those in women. That is why it is
advisable not to share shampoos between genders.
Read: Four Tips to Manage Hair Loss
Read: Four Tips to Manage Hair Loss
Aside from the biological makeup, there are
ingredients that are in shampoos which lead to hair loss. This includes
sulphates, sodium chloride, and formaldehyde.
Sulfates, often listed as sodium lauryl
sulphate and ammonium lauryl sulphate (ALS) are formulated in large quantities
in certain shampoos so that they produce more foam. But according to research
this doesn’t necessarily create benefits but in fact they are found to be
irritants as evidenced by patch tests. In studies that are conducted on rats,
it was shown that SLS and ALS were able to cause damage to hair follicles which
potentially result to hair loss.
Sodium chloride, which many of us know as
table salt, is actually mixed into shampoos as well as conditioners which
contains sodium lauryl sulfate. This can result to dry and itchy scalp and can
even cause a certain amount of hair loss. Another option would be to use
shampoos that contain ammonium-based surfactants because these use ammonium
chloride.
Formaldehyde is also formulated in a lot of
shampoos, even those used for babies. This is for the purpose of increasing its
shelf life with its preservative action. Formaldehyde is actually an ingredient
that is most commonly used for embalming, and if exposed to excessive amounts
this can result to DNA damage and even hair loss.
In some cases, such as in Taiwan, the
reason for most male hair loss is the humid climate. This can also have a
negative effect on the scalp particularly for those who are already
experiencing itchiness, dandruff and excessive oiliness of the scalp and hair.
If left untreated this promotes bacterial and fungal growth.
That is why doctors urge patients to always
visit hair doctor immediately before a simple hair dilemma results in
widespread damage. For all you know, your hair loss could simply be remedied by
just choosing the right shampoo.
Read: What To Do When Hair Loss Strikes
Read: What To Do When Hair Loss Strikes
