Saving the World, One Shampoo Bottle At A Time.

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Recycling and going green. Great concept, and many are doing their part, but are we? More and more we are seeing hair salons that are promoting themselves as "Green" Salons using products that are "Sulfate-Free". So the big question is what is Sulfate and why be free of it and which of my products have it in them?

What is SLS-FREE?

SLS is short for Sodium Laurel Sulphate…and is also often referred to as “sulfate-free shampoo”.  It is a surfactant - a cleanser - used in shampoos.  It is what creates the “bubbles” and the lather.

Surfactants are used in many cleaning products…dish washing liquid, clothes detergent, carpet cleaner, car wash, etc.  Interestingly, your daily shampoo may have more in common with carpet cleaner than you might expect or like to know.

Why Should I Care?

Put simply, there are several options to make the foaming lather in shampoos.  The two most commonly used for hair cleansers are Sodium Laurel Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.  Though they look and sound the same, they are not.  “Laurel” is considered harsh - being harmful to the biology of the follicles and scalp as well as stripping color, perms and chemical treatments, and creating splitting and general damage.

If you take a look at the ingredients on your bottle of shampoo and you’ll notice the surfactant and liquid base are one of the first ingredients on the list.

The course, for hair health and for the environment, is to use less harmful cleansing agents that biodegrade quicker and help protect the follicles and scalp while still providing adequate cleansing action.  The result increasing popularity of Sulfate-Free shampoo; essentially products that do not have Sodium LAUREL Sulfate.

What are the Advantages?

The benefits and advantages are easy to see.  Those who have used Sulfate-Free Shampoo's have noticed their hair is less dry and able to retain moisture and hydration.  Still others have pointed out that damage is experienced less often - especially when using heated styling appliances while others have reported improved volume, body and control. The BEST advantage is that hair color lasts much longer.

It is helpful to know that cheap(er) shampoos will generally use LAURETH, or worse.  Why?  Because the ingredient is less expensive - much less expensive.  As you might know be considering, there is some truth to “cheap supermarket” products being bad for your hair and the “professional salon” products being good.

For more beauty tips please visit our site at http://www.marbellahair.com/. For more information on any other beauty concern or to schedule an appointment, please feel free to call me at (512) 653-3773.