Did switching to sulphate free shampoos really improve your hair?

[mumtosp]

Hi all,

I'm been thinking of switching to sulphate free shampoos and conditioners in an attempt to improve hair quality... does it work and which sulphate free brand do you recommend.

My hair is just below shoulder length, dark, wavy, very thick and tends to get frizzy.

TIA :)

[ObtuseAngel]

It really improved the condition of my scalp, my hair is better too but I have difficult hair (thin, breaks easily, tendency to frizz) so it will never be good hair. I use Aveda thickening shampoo and Aussie conditioner (I don't think Aussie is specifically SLS-free but it is silicone-free and silicone ruins my hair).

Aveda isn't as expensive as it appears as you use a much smaller amount than most shampoos, start of using about a third of what you are used to and work from there. Once you find the right Aveda for you you can buy the big bottles and save a bit there. I find a big bottle last me at least 6-8 months (depending on whether other family members run out of their shampoo and nick mine).

Also good is Burt's Bees, which I used to use but they changed the formula of the thickening shampoo slightly and then I found I preferred Aveda. Jason make good quality products too, I don't like the thickening shampoo as it made my hair a little coarse and I prefer the silky feel of Aveda, but you don't need a thickener so it's probably worth trying Jason. I use either Jason or Burt's Bees for my DC.

If you are planning to switch to SLS-free shower gel then Jason is the bees knees, the apricot smells gorgeous.

[SunshineSuperNova]

I've been using Ever Pure by L'Oreal for a while. My hair is soft, shiny and manageable. The texture is much better than it used to be.

[ppeatfruit]

Yes mums I've switched from expensive SLS free shampoos to a cheap one and the cheap one is better! The name of the company is Mistry (you can get their stuff on line) It's the sort of shampoo and conditioner that the effing big firms should make for sensitve skin. I've never had such soft shiny hair. I use Argan oil for a bit of frizz taming but it's nothing like it used to be .

My hair is chin length layered slightly wavy and honey coloured ( i use an almost natural hair colour too).

I do always use softened water for washing my hair and that makes a difference too!

[stillstanding51]

NO!
I tried naked, Bodyshop & Holland & Barratt shampoo & conditioner. They all left my hair knotty and rough, scalp felt itchy and hair was frizzy and like straw. I lost masses of hair because there was no way I could get a comb through it, even with tons of conditioner.
Gone back to the 'bad stuff' and lLoreal extraordinary oil and my hair looks and feels miles better....
Might work for you though ;)

[Frizzbonce]

I've got very similar hair to you mumtosp in the thick and prone to frizz stakes, only I've just got 'keratined' !! I've been using Kiehls argan oil shampoo and conditioner but it's insanely expensive and I had a similar problem with Naked shampoo. Even though I only wash my hair once, it feels rough and dry after. So I've heard very good things about Organix which is salt and sulfate free and you can buy on Amazon for about £15 for the two.

I've also tried the final rinse with carbonated water as it has a low PH level which soothes the hair. As ppeat says, softer water makes for less frizz.

[snowgal]

Can really really recommend the liz earle shampoo and conditioners, tried lots of very wholesome sounding sls free products and found they left my hair really dry and knotted. The liz earle stuff is amazing, my hair is soft and shiny and I've had tonnes of compliments

[ppeatfruit]

Another thing you can do if you find a lot of hair on your comb or brush is to use acupressure on your scalp it's dead easy and it thickens my hair, stops it falling out and gives it bounce!

1. You place your fingertips on either side of your middle parting and then press not too gently for 10 then just move your scalp backwards and forwards to the count of 10 3 times in a.m. and p.m.

1. Do the same but position your thumbs just above the nape of your neck and your fingers sort of stretched out above your ears.

[Snowlike]

My hair is the same but the eczema on my face has improved.

[ppeatfruit]

You say wholesome sounding snow but when you read the ingredients (dh says I'm the only person who reads ALL the ingredients ) they mostly have as much weird stuff in them as the SLS stuff and you wonder what 's so good about them!

That's what so amazing about the Mistry products they have about 3 wholesome ingredients in them; they do lovely calendula cream as well.

[chanie44]

I use the body shop rainforest range and it has made my hair much less frizzy. So yes, it works for me.

[dottypyjamas]

Has worked for me, although I do the curly girl method so could be a combo of not using shampoo at all and going sulphate and silicone free for my conditioner. The loreal everpure stuff is good and pretty cheap (although not sure if they still test on animals?)

[dottypyjamas]

Ooh may have to check out bodyshop stuff chanie cheers!

[Allthingsprettyreturns]

I use sls free shampoo for a little qhile then go back to my regular shampoo..I have found a difference.

[LondonNinja]

Organix has made my hair really frizzy. Bloody expensive for no result! Will be rushing back to normal shampoo once I use the stuff up.

[Chottie]

Another vote for Liz Earle

[wrigglebum]

Yes it has, but you do need to make sure you go silicone free too as you need SLS to strip out the silicone and stop it building up. Make sure you do an SLS shampoo before you start to strip out any silicone build up.

My hair is still very dry but my scalp is much less itchy and my hair is less frizzy and feels stronger and bouncier. I use Tresemme naturals shampoo and conditioner with coconut oil and naked leave in conditioner and curl creme.

[bluestar100]

I agree with ppeatfruits post.
House of misery products are amazing. Their a small company and use a natural foaming agent from the soapwort plant. Their hair products are really pure and only have a few natural ingredients in them, but they work amazingly.
I have blonde fine dyed hair and since using them I have had comments that my hair looks thicker and healthier ( it definitely is). My hair colour doesn't fade any more either! I used to use a blue shampoo because my colour would turn brassy but don't need to any more as their shampoos don't strip the colour from my hair. Also their items are only about £4 a bottle!