Our hair is the crown, and we want to preserve it at all costs. It makes us feel good about ourselves and it has the power to boost our self-confidence. So, experiencing hair loss each day can be a real nightmare. It is also a nightmare to spend hours doing research and trying to figure out what is causing excessive hair loss, if there are any chemicals in shampoo that cause hair loss, and how to deal with thinning hair, when there are no one-fits-all answers. I have been through hair loss, and I know how terrifying it can be.

As always, if you’re experiencing extreme hair fall, we recommend seeing a doctor to make sure that there are no health conditions that might be causing the hair fall. Once you make sure your health is not the cause, take a closer look at the hair products you’re using. First of all - check your shampoo. In some cases, there are shampoo ingredients that cause hair loss.

Table of Contents:

• Is hair falling out when shampooing normal?
• Does washing your hair everyday cause hair loss?
• Can some shampoos cause hair loss?
• What ingredient in shampoo causes hair loss?
• What to do if your favorite shampoo is causing hair loss?

Is hair falling out when shampooing normal

Totally! It is absolutely normal to lose up to 100 hairs per day. While shampooing your hair, you may lose even more than that (up to 250 hair strands). The fallen and tangled hairs or the hairs that were already about to fall will eventually fall out during shampooing and conditioning your hair and this is not caused by the hair products you use. Also, this should not be categorized as hair loss. During the washing process, hair sheds easier. It’s as simple as that. So seeing more hair fall when shampooing is typically nothing to worry about.

If, however, hair fall starts to worsen, you should definitely look into it and find out if the shampoo is causing hair fall.

Does washing your hair everyday cause hair loss?

The skin on your face, your body, and your scalp - differs a lot. Most skin care specialists would agree that it would be a crime not to wash your face every day. But washing your hair every single day? Not so much. The “job” of a shampoo is to clean your scalp and hair, remove product build-up, dust, and debris; but is washing your hair required every day for healthy hair? Typically, no. Unless you work in a very smelly and/or polluted environment, you should not wash your hair more than 2-3 times a week. Also, people who have very thin and extremely oily hair, who work out a lot, sweat, or play sports on a daily basis may benefit from washing their hair daily. Otherwise, shampooing daily will only strip the natural oils, leaving your scalp dry and irritated and your hair straw-like and prone to hair breakage. 

Can some shampoos cause hair loss?

Unfortunately, there are some shampoos that cause hair loss or even worsen it. Nowadays, most shampoos are typically safe to use, but you should still make sure to stay away from certain ingredients that can cause hair loss and hair breakage.

What ingredient in shampoo causes hair loss

Here is what ingredient in shampoo causes hair loss:

Parabens

Parabens are a group of preservatives typically added to hair products, and mostly shampoos to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria. However, they can get easily absorbed by the skin, penetrating deeply, and causing allergic reactions, skin irritation, itchiness, and flaking, which can ultimately lead to hair loss. So, make sure to use paraben-free beauty products whenever you have a chance.

Silicones

Silicones are added to hair products to coat the hair strands and lock moisture inside the hair, preventing frizz. So, is silicone really that bad for your hair? Well, silicone in shampoo can also cause product build-up on your scalp, which can block your hair follicles and prevent the nourishing ingredients from reaching your hair, leading to thinning hair and hair loss.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

SLS is a foaming agent found in many types of hair products, especially shampoos. It is what creates that rich lather we’ve all grown to love. However, sulfates also strip away the natural oils and cause imbalances in the activity of the sebaceous glands, cause damage to the proteins in your hair and irritate your scalp, which ultimately can lead to hair breakage and hair loss.

Mineral oils

Mineral oils act as lubricants, and they might help reduce tangles. This is why they are added to hair products. But, sometimes, they can “suffocate” your scalp, create build-up, and weigh down the otherwise healthy hair. Mineral oils may also contain contaminants that are known to cause skin irritation and scalp imbalances.

Isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol, while not directly linked to hair loss, can make your hair dry, brittle, rough and difficult to manage, which may cause hair fall due to excessive hair breakage.

Phthalates

Phthalates are another controversial ingredient often found in shampoos. They have been linked to hormone disruptions, which are a common cause for hair loss.

Hexachlorophene

Hexachlorophene is an antiseptic agent. When added to shampoos, it can cause scalp irritations which lead to hair loss.

What to do if your favorite shampoo is causing hair loss?

First off, once you identify shampoo ingredients that cause hair loss, and take some time to do the research about shampoos that cause hair loss. Your hair follicles, your scalp, your hair strands - they all need some time to recover.
Try using gentle hair care products with 100% Natural & Vegan formula. Plant powered shampoos can be very effective when treating hair loss.
The best-case scenario would be choosing the Cruelty-Free brand like WOW Skin Science.

Pick a scent that you like the most, make sure they do not contain ingredients that cause hair loss, and monitor your scalp and hair fall in the next few weeks.

The products which we can recommend to get started on this journey are gentle cleansing shampoos like WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and ACV Set. And also our strong recommendation are the complementing all natural hair care products that will simply revive your hair like Avocado/Coconut oil Conditioner and Castor Oil.

So, purchase some high-quality organic hair care products, and you’ll be well on your way to restoring your hair back to its full shiny glory.