Don't Destroy Your Hair With These Ingredients!

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Let’s stop sugar-coating this. Most people have no idea what they’re putting on their hair — and it shows. After 39 years behind the chair, I can tell you confidently: some ingredients are absolutely wrecking people’s hair, and they keep using them because they don’t know what to look for.

This isn’t fear-mongering. This is straight education so you can finally make smart decisions for your hair.

Here are the three ingredients I see cause the most long-term damage, dryness, and breakage.

1. Harsh Sulfates (SLS & SLES)

Let’s be clear — not all sulfates are bad. But these two? When used daily? Disaster.

✔ Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

✔ Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

These detergents create a big bubbly lather people love… but they also strip your hair like crazy.

Why they’re a problem:

Remove too much natural oil

Cause a tight, itchy scalp

Fade color quickly

Dry out curls

Make fine hair brittle

Trigger an overproduction of oil

I can always tell when a client uses harsh sulfates — the ends are dry, the scalp is irritated, and the shine disappears.

Professional Recommendation:

If you want a gentle, salon-level daily cleanser that avoids harsh sulfates:

✔ Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

Perfect for daily or every-other-day washing without stripping the scalp.

2. Heavy Silicones (the ones that coat the hair)

Silicones themselves aren’t the enemy. Some protect and add slip.

 But heavy, non-water-soluble silicones can cause buildup, dryness, and breakage over time.

The biggest offenders:

✔ Dimethicone

✔ Cyclomethicone

✔ Amodimethicone (if not paired properly)

Why they damage hair:

Create buildup that blocks moisture

Make hair feel great temporarily, then suddenly dry

Cause uneven color absorption

Leave curls limp or frizzy

Make fine hair flat and coated

Professional Recommendation:

If you want a lightweight, silicone-conscious formula that won’t weigh hair down:

✔ Matrix Biolage Volume Boost Shampoo

Great for fine hair, oily roots, or anyone trying to avoid heavy buildup.

Or, for a professional silicone-free option:

✔ Verb Ghost Shampoo

A clean, lightweight, silicone-free formula perfect for everyday use.

3. Drying Alcohols (the bad ones)

Not all alcohols are bad — fatty alcohols like cetyl and stearyl are amazing moisturizers.

But drying alcohols evaporate fast and take your hair’s moisture with them:

✔ Alcohol Denat

✔ Isopropyl Alcohol

✔ Ethanol

✔ SD Alcohol 40

Why they’re damaging:

Dry out the cuticle

Increase frizz

Cause breakage

Fade color

Leave curls fragile and shapeless

Professional Recommendation:

For dry, coarse, curly, or color-treated hair that needs real moisture without harsh ingredients:

✔ Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

A salon-favorite for moisture, slip, and color protection.

If you prefer a softer, moisture-rich professional cleanser:

✔ Redken All Soft Shampoo

A gentle, argan oil–infused formula for dry or textured hair.

How to Read a Label Like a Pro

Want to stop guessing and start choosing smarter? Follow this:

✔ Check the first 5 ingredients

That’s most of the formula.

✔ Avoid harsh sulfates in daily shampoos

Save stronger cleansers for monthly clarifying days.

✔ Avoid heavy silicones in shampoo

They coat — conditioners are the appropriate place for slip.

✔ Look for fatty alcohols

They moisturize, not dry out.

✔ Look for real hydration

 Aloe

 Glycerin

 Panthenol

 Argan oil

 Jojoba oil

When in doubt, bring your shampoo to your next salon visit — a good stylist can decode that label for you in seconds.

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