The Damaging Effects of Sulfates

Most people are aware that sulfates are harmful to the scalp and hair but not sure why. Here is some information we have gathered and hope you find useful.
Sulfates strip all the protective oils from your scalp and hair. Sulfates wash away the natural anti-microbial peptides, proteins, and water-proofing oils our body
create. Without these health-preserving substances, our hair and scalp are stripped of vital moisture, exposed to harmful microbes, allergens and environmental pollution and vulnerable to damage, infection and illness.

Sulfates lift the cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair shaft. Sulfates work their way under the cuticle, making it lift and buckle. This exposes the cortex of the hair to moisture, which causes frizz. The compromised cuticle and cortex weaken the entire hair strand, making it dull and prone to damage, breakage and split ends.

Sulfates make your hair take longer to dry. When the cuticle is lifted, more moisture is absorbed into the cortex, which then takes up to twice as long to dry. If you are using a hair dryer, that’s twice as much heat exposure on an already-compromised hair strand.

Sulfates leave an anionic charge. Sulfates have a negative electric charge – and that charge remains on your hair and scalp when you rinse the shampoo away. This leaves a dulling residue and can cause static and flyaway hair. To neutralize this film, the hair must then be coated with a synthetic, silicone-based conditioner (more chemicals), which masks the damage with an artificial shine.

Sulfates cause follicle stress. Each hair follicle is covered by something called a “lipid cap.” Sulfates remove this protective cap, exposing the good microbiota that live within to the atmosphere. Since they are anaerobic, these good bacteria die, and bad bacteria have direct access to a now undefended follicle.