Do you remember grandma’s advice to use only natural herbal plants and powders for cleansing the hair and for its thick growthIJ If you have opted for herbal hair powders manufactured and marketed by big corporates supported with catchy TV commercials and glossy fashion magazines, better be on guard. A team of Indian and Malaysian scientists have found that grandma’s words are sacrosanct while herbal hair wash powders sold in the market are dangerous for the hair.
A year-long study conducted by a group of micro biologists under the guidance of Dr S Ranganathan of Chennai has found that the products sold in the market labelled as herbal hair wash are not herbal in nature. “Our studies proved that more than 90 per cent of herbal hair wash powders marketed as shikakai and hibiscus contain chemicals like sodium lauryl sulphate (SlS) and silica which destroy the hair,” Dr Ranganathan told The Pioneer.
The study conducted in laboratories in Chennai and Malaysia proved that SlS and silica act as abrasives and inflict heavy damage to the cuticle (outer covering) of the hair, explained Dr Ranganathan. “We observed that regular use of all these herbal hair powders result in hair breakage. In clinical language we term it as trichorhexis,” said Dr Ranganathan, who specialises in nature related issues.
Dr Gokul Shankar, a research faculty in AIMST University Malaysia and Dr M S Ranjith of Quest International University, Perak, Malaysia conducted some of the experiments in their state-of-the- art laboratory, said they found that hair remained safe and secure when pure shikakai powder was used as hair wash. “The same was the case with hibiscus, eclipta (karisalamkanni), powders and compounds prescribed by traditionalists like grandmothers,” said Dr Shankar.
Dr Ranganathan pointed out that the young generation switch over to commercial hair wash powders because manufacturers add chemicals like SlS to make the products lather-rich. “Most of the consumers are under the impression that the perfume and lather are the yardsticks for the effectiveness of the herbal hair wash. The naturally occurring shikakai and hibiscus which are used as slimy compounds do not have that sweet smell or lather. The manufacturers herbal hair powder also use silicone oil which affects the water absorbing property of the herbal powder,” said Dr Ranganathan.