The secret ingredient in your shampoo that’s making your hair ‘dry and brittle’, and what you should look for instead
IT can be hard to know what to look for when it comes to shampoo.
But there's a secret ingredient in many of the products that could be making your hair "dry" and "brittle".
According to hair transplant surgeon Dr Balwi, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) should be avoided "at all costs".
"They're harsh on the hair follicles and are responsible for stripping away its natural oils," Elithair's Dr Balwi told Express.co.uk.
"Whilst they're excellent at removing oil and dirt, they also remove the natural oils that keep your hair moisturised and healthy.
"This stripping effect can leave your hair dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage.
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“Sulphates can also be harsh on the scalp which can lead to irritation, itching, and inflammation for some people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
"Over time, sulphates can weaken the hair structure, making it more susceptible to damage."
If you want to have "glass hair" - the new trend for super-shiny locks - you should also avoid shampoos with silicone in them.
While they might make your hair shiny in the short term, the effects will be temporary, and it can cause damage in the long run.
As for what you should look for in a shampoo, Dr Balwi recommends one that has argan oil, green tea extract, silk proteins, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.
"Proteins, vitamins and natural oils will lead to shiny, glass-effect hair," he added.
When it comes to other hair products, there's a host of kitchen ingredients you can use to whip up a mask that will make locks longer and stronger.
Ouissalka showed in a TikTok video how she uses an egg, a tablespoon of honey and half a tablespoon of olive oil mixed together to make hers.
She then used a hair dye brush to apply the mask to her roots, before ensuring all the strands were covered.
After leaving on for 30 minutes, she washed it off - leaving her hair looking volumised and super shiny.
Ouissalka recommended using the mask at least once a week for “shiny, hydrated” hair.
“You must wash your hair with shampoo to remove all the excess. It works!” she said.