The Absolute most important rule in the natural hair community is to not use SULFATE filled shampoo. That is an absolute NO-NO!
Sulfates? What are those?
Introduced to the modern hair industry in the 1930s, sulfates made a slick presence in revolutionizing the hair and beauty care. Sulfates are aggressive detergents made of sulfur which contains mineral salts. The most common are sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).
How does this ish work?
Sulfates are surfactants- molecules that attract both oil and water. One end of the molecule would cling to the oil/dirt, while the other clings to water. This molecule can lift the nasty build-up off your hair, dissolve it into the solution, and come off during the last rinse of shampoo. Sounds wonderful right? HECK NO STAY AWAY!
Here’s why:
1) Sulfates lift your hair cuticle
Caused by the reduced surface tension, sulfates work their way under the cuticle, making the shaft lift and buckle. This exposes the cortex of your hair to moisture BUT it causes FRIZZ, or it arid air that can cause DRYNESS. The endangered cuticle and cortex weakens the entire hair strand, making it DULL and prone to BREAKAGE, DAMAGE, AND SPLIT ENDS ( EEEKKKK)
2) Sulfate leaves anionic charges
Sulfate is negatively charged, which remains in your hair and scalp even after you rinse the shampoo out. Why are negative charges bad? The negative charge causes dullness, static, and fly-a ways. Usually to neutralize this charge a synthetic, silicone-based conditioner is needed. Mind you that conditioner only HIDES the damage.
3) Sulfate Causes follicle stress
Do you like to be stressed? Then why the HECK would your follicles want to be stressed. Each one of your hair follicles is covered by a “lipid cap”. Now IDK about y’all but in science classes I was always told that lipids are fats and fats for hair cause moisture. Well Buddy, Sulfates remove this protective cap exposing the good stuff that lives inside. Because the follicles are anaerobic, these good bacteria are lost and the bad bacteria comes right on in to the undefended follicles.
Still don’t understand why naturals avoid sulfate.
Our kinks, coils, or curls need moisture CHILE! Sulfates will strip all of that away which will cause these bountiful kinks, coils, and curls to turn DRAB DARLING. Honey, we stay popping over here so DO NOT DO IT!