Do Sulfate Shampoos Cause Hair Color Loss?
Submitted by Beauty Brains Blog
Tina’s turmoil: I have been along time reader of another blog called Killer Strands and the writer (Dakota Ellis/Killer Chemist) is a hair colourist and a cosmetic chemist who has tested sulphate shampoos and proved it does fade color and may cause premature hair loss. She mentions it’s very caustic when smelled and may cause you to to faint when opening a jar of SLS !
The Left Brain’s reply:
Sulfate shampoos do cause fading however, they do not cause more fading than other types of shampoos. I can say that because I specifically evaluated all types of shampoos in unpublished research. But until that is published, it’s just hearsay. If you really wanted to prove it to yourself, use 2 different shampoos on each side of your head the next time you get your color done. One should be a sulfate based shampoo and the other should be non-sulfate based. After 5-10 washes you will not likely see any color difference between the two.
Dangerous sulfates?
The idea that sulfates make your hair fall out is just not true. No cosmetic chemist has ever proven this. Furthermore, while they are powerful degreasers and can dry out hair and skin, they are not caustic. And the notion that you will faint just by smelling a sulfate detergent is ridiculous. Sulfates have a weak, bland odor (it’s true that inhaling concentrated SLS can irritate your nasal passages but that will not make you faint.)
We have been in the cosmetic and personal care industry for many years and have not come across any published scientific study to show that sulfates are the worst thing for your hair color or would make your hair fall out. I suspect if you asked the Killer Strands folks for their data they won’t have any. And without the data, it’s just an unvalidated opinion.
Killer Strands
I looked up the Killer Strands website and it appears to be very professional and it contains a lot of good information. Dakota is doing a find job, but I couldn’t find any references to specific studies backing up her statements. You need to consider that while Killer Strands does make some good points, they are also trying to sell you their products and services.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
The Beauty Brains do not and will not sell cosmetic products. We do not recommend specific product brands and we encourage people to make up their own minds about what to buy. We present the unbiased science. If someone is trying to sell you a product, you have to read with skepticism everything that they write. It doesn’t matter if they are cosmetic chemists, board certified colorists, or dermatologists. Once a piece of writing is put out there with the intent to convince you to buy a specific type of product, watch out. The information is suspect.
What do YOU think? Have you noticed that different shampoos cause your hair to fade differently? Leave a colorful comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Killer Chemist here,
responding to your comments about my site.
#1) I never said I fainted with the whiff of SLS, but was blown away at the caustic & super strong scent. Nope that is not scientific at all. Just REAL - honest occurance. I notice you say it burns the hell out of your nose, what’s the difference?
#2) Everyone that blogs - writes for a reason and has some alterior motive, I notice you don’t say what yours is…I’m honest about mine. ALTHOUGH
#3) I do not sell shampoo’s. . . . so what do I have to gain from talking about them> ? I have had experience with over 10,000 clients hair color and watched with my own eyes what shampoos do and do not do and have never been in the business of selling shampoos. Only trying to get my clients hair color to last longer. THAT’s IT.
4) I would suspect that you are a cosmetic chemist that works for P & G, right? or one of those large corporate companies. No you don’t make money on-line, but your pay check most likely comes from a very large company that doesn’t want to change their sls based shampoos.
You are not writing this out of the goodness of your heart….I just simply have a very hard time believing that.
On the other hand I have a terminal disease and decided to “give back” before I was no longer here.
YOU DECIDE> who to believe.
KC Killer Chemist (aka Dakota)
Killerstrands.blogspot.com
August 12th, 2008 at 6:11 am
BTW,
you’ve claimed your research as “hearsay” about sulfates…
and my research as “hearsay” . . .
what makes your hearsay - something these women should listen to.
I have numerous studies that are documented by substantial agencies that back up the sulfate controversy.
Last question;
Why are all the major shampoo manufacturers changing their formulations?? to now be SLS-free.
We have called to find that piece of info out - - in addition to it being reported on a couple reputable TV shows ? ? ?
Killer Chemist
March 5th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Dakota - owner of the site “killer strands” is full of it!!!!! she does so sell shampoo amoung other products that are both self made and store bought. she also re-pakages items so she can give you less and she can make more $$$$ Dont trust her self -made product (IE THRIVEN / GLEAM etc) and as for her store bought ones…. go to sallys (Wella “INDEPTH” conditioner) or buy the SF shampoos she sells (color me sexy / bedhead etc) on EBAY and save your self some cash and the aggravation of having to deal with her. She is very rude and she IS un professional. Disagree with her and she turns into a Natzi - a “color” Natzi!!!!!!
April 13th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I accidently went to the Made from Earth skin care website when looking for something for my research paper, and it was one of the best accidents i ever had. I tried their Organic Tea & Protein Shampoo and loved it….It has a great scent and is gentle on my scalp. Compared to the $30-40i I used to spend on organic shampoo this is an even match at a cheaper price. Best for use to make your hair fuller and fresher….