Shampoo Ingredients That Can Make Your Hair Loss Worse

Restore
Dec 4, 2025
2 min read

Generic shampoo bottles highlighting typical commercial packaging

When patients visit Restore concerned about thinning hair or excessive shedding, one of the first things we examine is their scalp health—and surprisingly, many triggers start with the products they use daily. Certain shampoo ingredients can worsen inflammation, dryness, or follicle stress, making hair loss more noticeable.

If you're experiencing shedding, sensitivity, or a worsening scalp condition, here are the ingredients you should avoid.

1. Sulfates (SLS, SLES)

Sulfates create foam but strip away the scalp’s natural oils. This leads to dryness, irritation, and inflammation—three common contributors to hair fall.

Avoid:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

A compromised scalp barrier weakens the follicle, making existing hair loss worse.

2. Parabens

These preservatives may disrupt hormones. Since hormonal imbalance is a key cause of hair loss, parabens can further aggravate shedding in sensitive individuals.

Avoid:

Methylparaben
Propylparaben
Butylparaben

3. Drying Alcohols

Some alcohols evaporate quickly, pulling moisture from your scalp. Chronic dryness leads to breakage and increased shedding.

Avoid:

Isopropyl alcohol
Ethanol
SD Alcohol

Safe alternatives:

Cetyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol

4. Artificial Fragrance

Fragrances are common irritants we see in patients with inflammation-related hair loss. They can cause itching, redness, and dermatitis, all of which weaken hair follicles.

Avoid:

“Fragrance”
“Parfum”

5. Silicones That Cause Buildup

Silicones coat the scalp and hair, which can clog follicles and worsen oil imbalance. Over time, buildup makes thinning look more visible.

Avoid:

Dimethicone
Cyclomethicone
Amodimethicone

6. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

These preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde that irritate the scalp.

Avoid:

DMDM Hydantoin
Quaternium-15
Imidazolidinyl Urea

Reducing inflammation is crucial for managing any form of hair loss.

7. Harsh Synthetic Surfactants

Some synthetic cleansers may still be irritating even if the shampoo is labeled sulfate-free.

Avoid:

DEA / MEA / TEA
PEG-based cleansers

How Restore Hair Loss & Scalp Clinic Can Help

At Restore, we don’t just look at your hair—we examine your scalp, follicles, and the root causes contributing to your hair loss. Shampoo ingredients are only one factor. Our goal is to give you a personalized plan that restores your scalp health and encourages stronger, healthier hair growth.

1. Comprehensive Scalp & Follicle Assessment

Using advanced digital imaging, we examine your scalp up close to identify inflammation, buildup, thinning density, blocked follicles, or other underlying issues.

2. Personalized Treatment Plans

Your trichologist creates a customized treatment plan based on your scalp condition, hair loss stage, and lifestyle. No guesswork—just science-based solutions.

3. Product Recommendations Safe for Hair Loss

We provide trichologist-approved product recommendations that protect the scalp and support growth—so you avoid harsh ingredients that worsen hair loss.