The Viral Hair Care Trend
There's been a hair care trend that has completely taken TikTok by storm. Unlike the hair trends that normally go viral, this one is very different. The reason why it's so different is that most of the viral Amazing Hair Care Tips for Extremely Long Hair trends are filled with misinformation and are just not factually correct. But this time around, the drugstore is coming out on top, and that never happens.
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The Power of Drugstore Hair Care
If you're on hair TikTok, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about. But for those of you that are not, let me fill you in. There have been tons of videos on TikTok where people are wondering why their hair looked and felt so much healthier back when they used to use drugstore hair care products. Now, ever since they've been using high-end hair care products, their hair doesn't look and feel nearly as healthy. In fact, it looks significantly more damaged.
All over TikTok, there are videos of people saying that they are done with high-end hair care and they're switching back to whatever drugstore brand they used to use, whether it be Suave, Tresemme, Dove, or Pantene. Pantene is definitely the brand that's being talked about the most, which I think is funny because it's one of the brands that has been demonized the most.
My Hypothesis
As I was starting to get tagged in all of these videos, I immediately was thinking, I know exactly what's going on here, or at least I think I know. I have a hypothesis. So I posted a video on my social media platforms to discuss this topic and explain my thoughts on all of this. I want to clear up the confusion and provide you with the truth behind drugstore hair care products.
Silicones: The Truth Revealed
Let's start off by talking about silicones because I feel like people are a little bit less confused about my stance on silicone since it's something I have talked about over and over. There are a lot of myths about silicones. I would say the most prevalent idea that people seem to have about why they're bad is that they create this coating or film on the hair that is like a wax, and it builds up on your hair and is actually unhealthy. But that couldn't be further from the truth.
Silicones have so many benefits for our hair. They condition our hair, add shine and softness, improve manageability, decrease frizz, provide heat and UV protection, and protect our hair from mechanical damage. In some cases, they may even strengthen damaged hair. Silicones are not drying out our hair. They're conditioning our hair and protecting it.
Many people seem to think that oils are better than silicones because they either don't create that film or they are more natural. But in truth, most oils also coat our hair and create a film. And the big benefit that silicones have over oils is that they're a lot lighter in weight, so they're less likely to weigh down the hair and make it look greasy.
Another important point to note is that silicones are not just in drugstore hair care products. They are in hair care products at every single price point. Whether it is a super affordable brand like Tresemme or a luxury brand like Aura Bay, you will find silicones in brands at all price points because of how beneficial they are for the hair. So, don't be afraid to embrace silicones in your hair care routine.
Sulfates: The Cleansing Myth
Now, let's move on to sulfates. Sulfates are a category of surfactant used in shampoos that are extremely effective cleansing agents. The most effective and most demonized sulfate is sodium lauryl sulfate. But what most people don't realize is that those sulfates are not the only deep cleaning surfactants out there. There are others as well.
Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are actually part of a broader category of surfactants called anionic surfactants. These surfactants are known to have really good cleansing abilities and are more traditionally thought of as deep cleansing agents. But they are not the only options.
There are sulfates like sodium c1416 olefin sulfonate, which is a sulfonate, that are in the same category of surfactants as sodium lauryl sulfate. Does that mean they behave and perform in the exact same way? No, but it's eye-opening to think about the fact that all of these ingredients are not that different.
Just because a product contains a sulfate doesn't mean that it's going to damage your hair. There are ingredients added to deeper cleansing shampoos to offset the potential stripping effects of those deep cleansing ingredients. It's not as simple as looking at an ingredients list and immediately putting a product back on the shelf. The only way to know whether or not a shampoo is going to strip your hair is to test it out for yourself.
That being said, it's important to find a balance. Gentle shampoos are great, but it's also important to use a clarifying shampoo or a deep cleansing shampoo every once in a while to properly remove buildup. Otherwise, it can make your hair feel dry, damaged, and frizzy.
Do What Works Best for You
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do is do what works best for you. Don't stress too much about following every trend or recommendation out there. Test out different products and ingredients to see how they work on your hair. Everyone's hair is different, so what works for one person may not work for another.
Don't place too much weight on the labels on product packaging. A lot of the times, those labels and claims are not even true or are only telling part of the story. The most important thing is to find a hair care routine that makes your hair look and feel its best.
So, whether you choose to embrace silicones and sulfates or opt for silicone-free and sulfate-free products, make sure it's based on what works best for your hair. Don't let conflicting advice on social media confuse you. Educate yourself, try different products, and trust your own experience.
Final Thoughts
I hope this blog has provided some clarity on the viral hair care trend and the truth behind drugstore hair care products. Remember, what works for one person may not work for another, so it's important to find a routine that works best for your hair. Embrace the benefits of silicones and don't be afraid of sulfates. Trust your own experience and don't let conflicting advice on social media confuse you.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you found these hair care tips helpful for your own hair growth journey!