Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are frequent cleansing elements in shampoos. There’s plenty of debate concerning the “toxicity” of the elements, however that is a dialog for one more time. These with curly hair ought to keep away from them for one quite simple purpose: They’re very harsh and drying!
Curly hair is of course dryer and extra susceptible to breakage, so it’s essential choose very delicate cleansers. Consider it like your pores and skin: In case your pores and skin was susceptible to irritation, you’d change to a delicate cleanser, proper? Nicely, the identical applies to your strands!
The excellent news is there are numerous glorious sulfate-free shampoos available on the market. Search for choices which might be additional buffered with hydrating elements like botanical oils and butters: Wonderful choices embrace shea butter, coconut oil, oat oil, and so forth.
Co-washing (or conditioner-washing) may assist preserve the hair clear—whereas hydrating within the course of.
“The concept is to make use of conditioner, although not simply any conditioner, as a substitute for shampoo. A great co-wash very gently cleanses the hair utilizing gentle surfactants, whereas a typical shampoo makes use of extra concentrated surfactants that basically work to deeply cleanse the hair,” says Sunny, proprietor of Lumiere Vive Salon.
In case you determine to include co-washing (a wonderful concept), achieve this alongside the occasional shampoo session for a deeper clear. This may help you keep away from buildup and scalp irritation. “It is crucial to deep cleanse your hair; it is simply that many instances it might not be obligatory as continuously,” notes Sunny.
