Hello, beautiful™

Do Gluten Free Hair Products Matter?

by Madison Reed {{"2016-09-14T15:43:00.000Z" | blogDate:'MMMM d, y'}}

Image by Madison Reed

Gluten, gluten, gluten. Years ago, you probably didn’t know much about this protein, but now you can’t avoid it. Restaurants and cafes often offer gluten-free substitutions on their menus, and food and beauty products now market themselves as “gluten-free”. To some, this awareness is life-saving—people with celiac disease and gluten allergies can’t eat gluten without becoming very ill. To others, the overwhelming presence of gluten-free labels can feel unnecessary—what difference does it make if you have gluten free shampoo and conditioner?


So why does that matter?
Put simply, about 1 in 100 people suffer from a condition known as celiac disease, though many don’t know that they are affected. It’s an autoimmune disorder that causes significant damage to the small intestine if gluten is ingested. For people with celiac disease, ingesting gluten is dangerous, and a gluten-free diet is necessary. The Gluten Intolerance Group also highlights wheat allergies as a common condition in the United States. Allergies to wheat are in the top eight most common food allergies, and as gluten is present in all wheat products, this is often considered a gluten allergy. However, people with a wheat allergy can consume gluten in non-wheat products, like rye and barley. In addition to celiac disease and wheat allergy, many people suffer from gluten sensitivity, which means that they don’t process gluten well, and a gluten-free diet may help a variety of symptoms.

How do I know if I am negatively affected by gluten?


So why is gluten even in hair and beauty products?

Given that so many people have issues with gluten, it seems strange that it’s a common ingredient in hair products. Gluten is known for its ability to hold and provide elasticity, which makes it a helpful ingredient in hair sprays and other products. Fortunately, removing gluten from shampoo and conditioner is possible, and nutrient-rich substitutes ensure that gluten-free products—like our Color Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner—work just as well as products containing gluten.

Do I need gluten free hair products?

Although gluten-free products are most important in food and beverage consumption, many eczema-sufferers have noticed that their skin and scalp are less irritated when using gluten free hair products. For products that sit on the scalp for more time than shampoo, such as permanent hair color—including our Radiant Cream Color—it’s especially important that they’re free of gluten for sensitive scalps. Although it’s unlikely that you’ll ingest your shampoo and conditioner while in the shower, removing gluten from the products offers peace of mind.

Gluten free hair products


Tags:  Gluten


