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Connection between no shampoo and scalp problems and shedding?
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Scalp problems and shedding can be caused by a number of things and proper scalp cleansing is very important. The subject is not as simple as it may appear.
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Both conventional and natural products work for people. Most people use a mix of the 2 somewhere in their routines, not necessarily with cleansing but in addition to conditioning, like oils and styling, like aloe gel.
I think that the successes in all cases respect the acid mantle, which is about pH 4.7, (but can vary with individuals), so pH is a factor, as well as dealing with bacteria through cleansing, regardless of the product used and not necessarily through a product that specifically has antibacterial properties stated, like shampoo bars or soap. The scalp needs to be kept clean and in balance and vinegar or acidic rinses help not only the hair, following an alkaline product, but the scalp too.
Then, there is the sensitivity/allergic factor.
I for example can now, through sensitivity to certain conventional chemicals, not use certain conventional shampoos. I can though, use certain sulfate shampoos with no problems.
It may well be that ingredients other than what people see as the obvious, (sulfates), prevent some people from having success with conventional shampoos. For others, sulfates do present a problem but they are often in conditioners as emulsifiers, so some people can use conventional conditioners with a sulfate in them but not a shampoo with one.
It is about the formulation of a conventional product and the amount of and ingredient combinations in a natural recipe, that can often tip the balance, for how well something cleanses and for reactions to it.
Sometimes, an unlikely product or ingredient can be a culprit because it is not known to be a sensitizer or irritant and one cannot patch test every ingredient one uses. I cannot stress the importance of individual research enough, into a product or ingredient, before using it, as well as patch testing.
The information is out there, online in most cases, on toxicity and adverse reactions and contraindications for most things, used in conventional products and natural recipes. I am still surprised by what I find. It is essential, to do as much research as one can to learn as much as one can, about anything one is going to use in any quantity.
Natural is absolutely no guarantee of safety and traditional use is no guarantee either. Herbs once considered safe, are now being discovered to be toxic in some cases. These kinds of problems are by no means simple. Recent drugs and conventional chemicals are subject to more rigorous testing but that does not mean that they are without potential problems.
Shedding hair is a normal part of hair growth and renewal. The statistics on what is considered "normal" vary. Excessive shedding becomes a problem, when hair starts to thin. Scalp or skin shedding, is also a normal part of skin renewal. Any excessive shedding, whether it be hair or skin, should first be looked at by a doctor and/or specialist, to rule out any medical condition. There are various reasons for both that can be easily treated in most cases.
While I understand that many people count shed hairs and worry about the loss of every one, I would be more worried, if I never shed hair at all. It is part of a healthy scalp and hair follicles. Keep in mind that when you find hairballs, they are actually less than you think, if the individual hairs are long and curled up and over themselves.
Some plants/herbs, oils, conventional products and drugs can cause excessive hair and skin shedding as part of a reaction to them and that needs to be monitored.
Some conventional conditioners can be too "heavy" or rich for use on the scalp and my contribute to clogged pores, which can lead to excess shedding. The same can now be said for some shampoos, both conventional and natural, since large and small cosmetic companies are adding conditioning additives to them, that were once only found in conventional conditioners. Using a conditioner from the ears down can solve a problem with that and diluting a shampoo or soap based shampoo, can solve the problem with it.
This is most interesting to me, not because of the main article, but because of the reader comments below it.
It is important that anyone seeking medical advice, tell the doctor ones sees everything one can about one's routine, not only what one is using, but one's diet as well. The body reacts to many things, like hormones, often the way it does to products and drugs. Any doctor or medical specialist, is going to be limited by a lack of information, that you may not think of as relevant.
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