The Lather Trap: Shampoos, conditioners, and the hidden consequences of overuse

In the modern pursuit of cleanliness and beauty, shampoos and conditioners have become bathroom essentials.

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Sleek advertisements promise silky locks, bounce, volume, and shine with every wash. Shelves are lined with endless varieties — for dry hair, oily hair, colour-treated hair, curly hair, and more. But as we chase the perfect head of hair, an important question arises: can too much of a good thing be harmful?

The answer, according to dermatologists and trichologists (hair and scalp specialists), is yes. While shampoos and conditioners are designed to improve the health and appearance of hair, their excessive or improper use can lead to a range of problems — from dryness and breakage to scalp irritation and even hair loss. Understanding how these products work, and the effects of their overuse, is essential for making informed decisions about hair care.

Shampoo is essentially a detergent. Its primary role is to cleanse the scalp and hair by removing dirt, oil (sebum), sweat, dead skin cells, and product buildup. The active cleaning agents in most shampoos are surfactants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), which trap oil and grime so they can be rinsed away with water.

While these surfactants are effective cleansers, they can also be harsh, especially when used too frequently or in large amounts. Daily shampooing, particularly with strong formulas, can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness, flakiness, and an overproduction of sebum as the scalp tries to compensate — a cycle that leaves hair feeling greasy and forces users to wash even more often.

Frequent shampooing may also disrupt the scalp’s microbiome — the balance of bacteria and fungi that helps protect against infections and inflammation. This disruption can lead to conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, characterised by itching, redness, and flaking.