Q: I have heard that sodium laurel sulfate (one of the key ingredients in most of the shampoos) is not good for hair and skin. Is it true? I have dry hair with dandruff. Which shampoo will suit my hair?

A:Sodium laurel sulfate is a surfactant. Most commercial soaps and detergents as well as shampoos and other cosmetics contain such agents. Some of these occur in plants and they were used in prior times when soap was not available. These pure chemical products are not harmful to the skin and hair when used in conventional amounts, but could have a drying effect if used much more often than is typical and normal for self cleansing.