I am a big believer in doing everything as naturally as I can. When my kids are sick we use natural cold remedies and when they get scrapes, I reach for the organic raw honey.
That is why I was excited when recently read an article in the magazine Body & Soul that talked about natural hair care. The idea was that you could boost your hair color by creating a hair treatment with things you can find in your kitchen.
Now, I have to be honest – the idea of putting cocoa and honey in my hair never once has occurred to me. I’m sure it would feel sticky, but I also wonder if my hair would smell like yummy chocolate until the next wash. (That alone may be worth trying it!)
This article got me to thinking about all of the chemicals that are in conventional hair care products and why it is so important to me to use natural hair care.
In 1938, the FDA gave the personal care industry the ability to regulate itself. Now, I am not a big fan of the FDA, so that may not have been a bad thing.
But, what this means to you and I is that there are no safety test required prior to marketing beauty and personal care products. Yes, there is a small list of banned chemicals. But there are thousands of others that are known to cause everything from cancer to hormone disturbances that are used on a regular basis. (Some are even in products that advertise that they are “natural hair care products.”)
The bottom line is that what you put on your hair and skin does get into your body. If you don’t believe it, think about the nicotine patch. The truth is that transdermal patches are very effective ways to administer medicine. While the nicotine patch is one of the most common uses, transdermal patches have also been used to administer estrogen for menopause as well as numerous pain medications.
So, once you realize that everything you put ON your body ends up IN your body, you probably agree that natural hair care products are the way to go. The challenge is that just because shampoos and conditioners are advertised as natural hair products, doesn’t really mean anything. There is no legal definition for natural, while it may mean that the manufacturer avoids unnecessary chemicals, it could also mean very little.
So, what should you look out for when it comes to natural hair care products?
One of the biggest things that you may still find in a natural hair care is sodium lauryl suflate.
Why is this so common? Well…most people like their shampoo to lather, and sodium lauryl sulfate is what causes the lather! Even some types of organic shampoo will add this harmful chemical.
Incidentally, you will also find sodium lauryl suflate in engine degreasers and garage floor cleaners. It is a very corrosive substance that is also used in chemical testing as a skin irritant. (i.e. If a manufacturer is trying to develop a product to heal skin, they will use it to first irritate the skin – just what you want in your shampoo, right? Yet another reason to choose organic shampoo)
Studies have shown that SLS penetrates the skin, eyes and organs and may weaken the immune system. A special concern is that young children and babies exposed to SLS may experience developmental problems with their eyes.
Obviously, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is something you want to avoid, even if it does mean you have to give up your lather! If you are looking for natural product, a great product line to try is arbonne products.
Stay tuned for more natural hair care tips!
{ 2 comments }