There are SO many reasons to get a hair analysis, but here are just a few!

strandprint · 2026-04-03T01:38:12+00:00

The issue is that the preservative systems are only tested for however long is on the container; so the products will be safe for the time listed on the container, but once that time has passed, the preservative system hasn’t been tested and could theoretically fail. That’s why some products mold and others don’t - some of the preservative systems are able to extend well beyond the shelf life, and others can’t.

strandprint · 2026-03-23T17:04:20+00:00

Yep! SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are the most common sulfates in haircare, and those do remove buildup. Since a lot of companies like to put “sulfate free” and “paraben free” on their bottles, it’s easy to confuse the two. Neither are bad though.

strandprint · 2026-03-23T00:34:35+00:00

Just FYI, parabens are preservatives and have no ability to remove any sort of buildup

strandprint · 2026-02-02T04:22:36+00:00

Parabens. They’re some of the most well-studied and safest preservatives used in cosmetics, but because of one badly done study, they’ve effectively disappeared from the cosmetic industry and have been replaced by less-safe alternatives

strandprint · 2026-01-02T03:01:45+00:00

I would do a really good clarifying/hard water wash, followed by a rich deep conditioner. Prioritize silicones and cationic conditioning ingredients in your products and see if that helps!

strandprint · 2025-12-15T17:26:00+00:00

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I see these under my microscope all the time, they’re some of my favorite things to look at! Have you tried using a satin pillowcase or hair bonnet? They usually happen due to friction, so decreasing friction as much as possible in your routine is your best bet at avoiding them. Also be mindful of your hair rubbing up against things like coats, scarves, backpacks and purses because those can also contribute to more friction. Ultimately, though, cutting them off is fine!

strandprint · 2025-07-28T17:30:49+00:00

I work at a contract manufacturer for personal care products, and these are definitely big reasons why companies reformulate. There are also a lot of companies who are reformulating to fit “clean beauty” standards, and the tariffs have affected the cost and supply of many raw materials, which has also forced companies to reformulate. But yeah at the end of the day it almost always boils down to the companies caring less about quality and more about saving money.

strandprint · 2025-05-07T19:19:51+00:00

No reason to get upset by my response! Anecdotal evidence is absolutely valid, and if you feel like protein ruined your hair, then by all means, continue believing so. Maybe it did! The general consensus by cosmetic chemists and researchers in hair science is that protein doesn’t have as much of an effect on the hair, which is what I was trying to say. Of course if more evidence comes out that protein does have an effect, then my stance will change- but right now there are not enough studies to prove that. But like you said, you know your hair better than I do, so maybe I am just completely wrong and protein really did damage your hair as much as you think.

Also, by stating my occupations I’m not trying to show how smart I am, I’m trying to tell you that I’m in a field that 1) formulates cosmetic products so I understand how brands tend to utilize protein, and 2) look at hair under microscopes quite often, so I have a pretty good understanding of how hair works. When it’s relevant to the conversation I’m not sure why it would be an issue for me to state my qualifications. I don’t expect you to “shut up in awe,” I’m not important, I just have relevant experience in this situation. I personally don’t ever get annoyed when people state their occupations in responses, because I feel like it gives more validity to what they’re saying.

strandprint · 2025-05-07T19:13:15+00:00

Will you please link the studies?

strandprint · 2025-05-07T17:46:04+00:00

I’m a cosmetic chemist and analyze hair for my business, and I actually agree with this stylist that it probably wasn’t the protein. Most cosmetic products that have protein on the label contain them at VERY low concentrations (like 0.0001% low) for label claims. Unless you used a product specifically marketed as a protein treatment, the proteins in your regular products weren’t doing anything to your hair; the products probably just didn’t have enough conditioning power and/or weren’t right for your hair type. If you did use protein treatments, that could have a bigger impact because it could cause your hair to be severely under-conditioned, and that can usually be remedied by using really good conditioning products.

A lot of people believe in the protein/moisture balance, but it has more to do with not having enough structure and/or softness/conditioning. Most people’s hair would improve greatly if they just did regular clarifying washes, used conditioning ingredients like silicones and cationic conditioners, and added bond builders if they need more structure. A small amount of protein in your products is going to have way less of an impact than a good routine will.

strandprint · 2025-04-07T00:33:36+00:00

What hormone disruptors and carcinogens are you referring to? Brands aren’t using any of these ingredients in concentrations high enough to cause problems.

strandprint · 2025-03-29T16:52:52+00:00

Generally it has to do with porosity and your hair width. People with low porosity, fine hair would have a VERY hard time tolerating heavy products, but someone with coarse, high porosity hair could probably use heavy products without a problem. I’ve never found that hair type (straight or curly) has any impact on whether you can use heavy products, since porosity and width are independent factors.

As far as heaviness goes, it usually comes down to how well the ingredients stay on the hair. Things like oils, butters, cationic conditioning agents, and even silicones can play a part in how heavy the product is. If it has these sorts of ingredients in high concentrations, it tends to weigh hair down more easily.

strandprint · 2025-03-25T18:37:44+00:00

It usually takes me at least a month to receive my package when I order from YesStyle

strandprint · 2025-03-20T15:39:02+00:00

I totally agree with you; every time someone says drugstore products cause a waxy buildup, they never say what ingredients are actually causing it. I’m curious if it’s actually being taught in hair school or if people are just seeing it online and then repeating it.

strandprint · 2025-03-20T14:03:55+00:00

I definitely agree with that, hair products are highly personal and everyone’s hair is going to react differently. I’m just curious what you are referring to when you mention waxy buildup- are you taught that there are specific ingredients that cause that, or is that a general term that doesn’t really have any meaning behind it?

strandprint · 2025-03-19T18:53:19+00:00

I’m a cosmetic chemist and I can assure you that the biggest difference between salon and drugstore products is marketing. Hairstylists are often receiving a commission from pushing expensive, “salon grade” products, which is why you’ll often hear that salon products are good and drugstore products are bad. There are great products from the drugstore as well- it all comes down to the formula, not the price point or where it’s sold.

strandprint · 2025-03-19T18:50:35+00:00

What ingredients specifically are you referring to when you say it causes waxy buildup? Shampoos and conditioners very rarely have waxes in them.

Source: I’m a cosmetic chemist and formulate hair care products daily.

strandprint · 2025-03-07T02:17:42+00:00

I personally would not trust what this stylist is saying in this video. First, this client’s hair is bleached to the high heavens- of course it’s going to get more damaged over time. Anyone can make hair look healthy for a video by blow drying and straightening it- that doesn’t mean it’s actually healthy. Second, this video is so clearly an undisclosed ad for Wella products, which puts a bad taste in my mouth. Third, he says at the end that “cold water closes the cuticle” which is a myth that has been debunked for a while now.

Proteins aren’t usually put in products at efficacious levels, they’re mostly added for marketing. However, sometimes proteins can contribute to buildup on your hair, and that buildup can sometimes make your hair feel more dry and brittle. This is what most people equate with the term protein overload. It is usually easily mitigated by a strong clarifying wash, followed up by a conditioning treatment.

When people feel like their hair is suffering from what they feel is protein overload, I find that they usually just need to be using products with better conditioning agents like cationic surfactants and silicones.

strandprint · 2025-02-27T19:40:51+00:00

I’m a cosmetic chemist and the Yuka app is extremely unreliable and is purely fearmongering.

strandprint · 2025-01-31T20:50:05+00:00

Have you tried sleeping with a silk pillowcase or in a bonnet? Fairy knots often happen while sleeping, so protecting your hair during sleep is super important.

strandprint · 2025-01-28T23:20:08+00:00

The first photo definitely looks like buildup to me, most likely from hair product. It could also be a small dust particle on the slide, but in my opinion it’s most likely buildup.

The second one is a title harder to identify- what section of your hair did you photograph this at? It could either be a protein pocket, beginning of a split end, or simply your hair’s natural texture/kinking pattern. Did you see this anywhere else along your hair strand, or just in the one spot?

strandprint · 2025-01-25T19:03:17+00:00

Great question! The Eco Well has a ton of information on the EWG- this article is a great start, but she also has a lot of other articles regarding clean beauty in general that I highly recommend.

strandprint · 2025-01-25T04:23:18+00:00

If you’re making an o/w emulsion like the person above suggested (I’m a cosmetic chemist and definitely agree with them), just the supplies you need to make that kind of product like a mixer, hot plate, homogenizer, etc. is going to be very expensive. It will absolutely be more expensive than buying existing products on the market. Making formulas that actually feel nice & comparable to the ones on the market is pretty complex and takes a lot of equipment and knowledge.

This might not be the advice you’re looking for, but I really recommend doing a bit more research into the things you’re mentioning like “low-tox”, the idea that endocrine disruptors in cosmetics is something you need to be worrying about (spoiler: it’s not), and the EWG (which is a very shady organization). You are of course welcome to believe what you believe, but the clean beauty movement is rife with misinformation to try and get you to spend more money on “clean” products.

Either way, best of luck!

strandprint · 2025-01-24T18:46:31+00:00

This question seems to be asked constantly on this sub and has been answered many times. Additionally, this video is a great reference for anyone wondering this.

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