We want to explain to you how much chemical substances, and in particular silicones and sulfates, affect the frequency with which you have to wash your hair and the damage they cause. Discover how important it is to eliminate these substances from your shampoo and change your routine by opting for natural cosmetics. What will you learn by reading this post? We will explain what the effects of sulfates and silicones are on hair, and what the advantages of using a 100% natural and organic shampoo are instead.

SILICONES

What are silicones?
Silicones are polymers, i.e., large groups of silicon molecules combined with oxygen, which can be used for various purposes (contact lenses, baking molds, insulators, etc.). But that is not all, because they are also used in most conventional cosmetics and are not biodegradable.

What function do they have in a shampoo?
Silicones create a surface barrier on the hair, which prevents it from coming into contact with the outside. Consequently, after showering, they appear soft and smooth as silk. However, this effect is absolutely artificial, since it does not reflect the health of the hair at all nor does it contribute in any way to maintaining it.

What effects do they have on the hair?
These substances prevent the skin and hair from breathing, hindering the natural regeneration of cells. Over time, their hydrophobic property dries out the hair, preventing water and nutrients from penetrating it. Prolonged use of conventional shampoo causes a build-up of silicones on the hair, which ends up weighing it down and making it dirty faster and faster. Over time, you may therefore notice a decrease in volume and a feeling of heaviness in the hair.

SULFATES

What are sulfates?
Sulfates are salts of sulfuric acid that, when combined with other compounds such as lauryl alcohol or sodium carbonate, create sodium laureth sulfate (SLS from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). These are chemical surfactants used to cleanse and eliminate sebum, given that they have the property of making fats soluble in water.

What function do they have in a shampoo?
The function of sulfates is to remove impurities, dirt, and sebum from the scalp and hair. Their high cleansing power, combined with their low price, means that they are present in practically all conventional shampoos.

What effects do they have on the hair?
It is precisely this high cleansing power that causes their continuous use to dehydrate and weaken the hair, ending up in many cases by irritating the scalp. In fact, the complete removal of sebum from the hair deprives the scalp of its natural protection. Consequently, the hair produces a greater amount of sebum to compensate for this forced removal, making the hair greasier.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE COMBINE THESE TWO INGREDIENTS INTO A SINGLE FORMULATION?

The combination of these two compounds results in damaged hair. Since sulfates make hair dry, silicones are added to conventional products to ensure softness. A large amount of silicones, however, means that the hair gets dirty faster, which is why it needs to be washed more often. You thus enter a vicious circle that does not allow it to grow in a healthy way.

What do you notice when you replace a shampoo containing silicones and sulfates with a natural one?

This is undoubtedly the most frequent question when you want to change your washing routine. We explain it phase by phase.

• phase 1: before starting a detox treatment, the hair will be completely covered in silicones. Inside, it may be dry and dull, due to the aggressiveness of the sulfates and the hydrophobic nature of the silicones.
• phase 2: once it starts to free itself from silicones, the hair will result frizzy after washing. This is the usual detox process in which the hair shows itself in its natural state, without the silicones it had become dependent on. This is the time and the way in which we tell our hair that the moment has come to function in a natural way. Do not worry about the frizz effect; you can defeat it with a natural conditioner if necessary.
• phase 3: after two or three weeks of using the natural shampoo, you will notice much healthier, smoother, and more voluminous hair, since there will no longer be silicones weighing it down.
• phase 4: with the passing of months, your hair will regain its physiological functions. You will notice that it will have a healthier and more natural appearance, that it will be brighter, grow stronger, and remain clean for longer.

If you have finally decided to free your hair from chemical substances, look on the market for certified natural and organic products that combine naturalness with performance