What is SLS?

[Clem_Dela]

Sorry to sound like a n00b here but i'd love to know the scoop.

I searched the forums but couldn't find anything useful :(

What does SLS stand for? What does it do?

[Khiwanean]

SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. It's a harsh surfactant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant)/detergent, which is why so many people here avoid it. For some people it cleanses the scalp so much that it begins to overproduce oil in response to being stripped of its natural oils. Other similar surfactants include Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) and Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES).