In this article:

• What does sulfate-free mean?
• What does paraben-free mean?
• What shampoos are sulfate and paraben-free?
• Why can the REVITA and REVITA.CBD shampoos help thinning hair?

What we put on our hair matters. Just like our skin, our hair soaks up everything in our environment, especially that which is applied directly to it. So, mindfully choosing a shampoo and conditioner is actually quite important. Regrettably, many formulations that line the shelves of your local supermarket are not always made with the best ingredients, including parabens and sulfates. Indeed, these two chemicals have become quite unpopular in recent years, as they can cause more harm than good. And, if you are struggling with hair thinning, you should avoid parabens and sulfates. Here’s the down-low on what parabens and sulfates are, why you want to avoid them, and where you can find a sulfate and paraben-free shampoo for thinning hair.

Just as it sounds, a sulfate-free shampoo does not contain sulfates. You will find that sulfates are common in cleaning products, including detergents, household cleaners, and, yes, even your shampoo. Sulfates come in two main forms in shampoos: sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. These two compounds make it so that products lather. So, if your shampoo is easy to lather, it probably contains sulfates.

Many of us are conditioned to think we need that lathering effect with our cleaning products because it means items are getting “good and clean.” Indeed, it is that lathering effect that can help remove oil and dirt from your hair, making sulfates known as one of the best compounds for removing substances.

But, those same substances that really clean your hair can actually be detrimental to your health as well. Sulfates are too strong for many people, and our skin and hair readily absorb them. With regular use, sulfates can dry out your hair and scalp and strip them of your natural oils (which are quite beneficial and important to your hair health). Sulfates also cause hair to be frizzy because they create a negative electrical charge.

Several years ago, there were also claims that sulfates may be cancer-causing agents. While most of these myths have been debunked, we know that people with allergies, sensitivities, and skin conditions like rosacea and eczema should avoid sulfates.

Paraben-free shampoos are those that do not contain parabens. Avoiding parabens is preferred because they are preservatives and may be harmful to both humans and the environment. Parabens are used in small amounts to preserve the shelf-life of beauty products. Their primary purpose is to keep bacteria and mold out of products.

What raises concern about parabens is that they may mimic certain hormones in the body. This mimicry is called an endocrine disruptor. For this reason, there are suspicions that parabens may be linked to estrogen-dominant cancers like breast cancer. However, the research is lacking, and at this point does not show this is the case.

Identifying sulfates on shampoo labels is usually more straightforward because those ingredients include the word “sulfate.” However, it is not as clearcut with parabens. Some of the most common parabens do contain the word “paraben” in their name, such as butylparaben. But, they may be a different name all around, such as the case with Alkyl parahydroxy benzoate.

Fortunately, finding a sulfate-free shampoo is not as hard as it was a few years ago. With that said, finding shampoos that are free of both compounds can be a bit more tricky. What is more, some shampoos that claim they are sulfate-free may replace sulfates with equally problematic compounds. So, when it comes to shopping for a good, non-harmful shampoo system, it can be difficult to discern between products.

While there are no clear-cut criteria for how to pick a sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoo, it does help to go with a product that is formulated and recommended by a dermatologist. This is perhaps what makes the REVITA and REVITA.CBD shampoos at DS Laboratories stand out.

If you have thinning hair, avoiding compounds and chemicals that may damage your hair or cause inflammation is essential. The REVITA and REVITA.CBD shampoos combat thinning hair by:

• Maintaining scalp vitality
• Protecting against follicular dysfunction
• Using high quality and efficacious ingredients like ketoconazole, caffeine, and biotin
• Decreasing scalp inflammation
• Encouraging more blood flow to boost nutrient and oxygen availability

REVITA.CBD has the added benefit of containing antioxidant properties, which can help round up free radicals and further reduce inflammation. The 150 mg of broad-spectrum CBD is ideal for revitalizing your scalp so that it can better absorb hair growth medication like 5% Nanoxidil and ketoconazole - both of which help support hair growth in people with thinning hair from causes like male and female pattern baldness.

Both the REVITA and REVITA.CBD shampoos are safe for people with all hair types, including color-treated hair. And, to benefit from them, you do not necessarily have to have hair thinning. Furthermore, if you are struggling with thinning hair, these shampoos work best when paired with the matching conditioner and a SPECTRAL product containing 5% Nanoxidil.