WHAT NOT TO PUT IN YOUR NATURAL HAIR.. AND/OR HAIR IN GENERAL
I have been doing some research about hair products to maximize my hair strength, luster, hair growth. What I found was very very interesting! I found 10 major compounds that should not go in your hair. I am sad to say that they are in the majority of the main stream products. Before buying your products glance at the ingredients section, its there for a reason.
ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL:
This solvent is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, after-shave lotions, hand lotions, fragrances and other minerals. This product will dry your hair out and break it off.
MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM:
Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This coats the hair and scalp just like plastic wrap and clogs the pores slowing down and potentially stopping the natural growth pattern of your hair.It also hinders the your scalp from releasing toxins and taking in oxygen which results in a dry flaky scalp.
Petrolatum has the same harmful qualities as mineral oil. JUST BECAUSE YOUR GRANNY USED IT DOES NOT MAKE IT OK TO USE.
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG):
PEG's are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products.PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic; that means it can cause or aggravate cancer.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG):
This ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.
SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS):
SLS is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. These are mainly used to make a product look thicker and to make them foam; for example shampoos. (SOME OF THE NITROSATING AGENTS ARE: SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA). Shampooing the hair with a product contaminated with these substances can lead to its absorption into the body. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which causes the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate contaminated food." " According to the American College of Toxicity report, "SLS stays in the body for up to five days..." Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain.
SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE S (SLES):
SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may be more drying. Both SLS and SLES can enter the blood stream. They may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing. Contains ether.
CHLORINE:
exposure to chlorine, especially on a regular basis mainly in tap water, Showers, and pools can dry out the hair causing it to become brittle and ultimately break off.
DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine):
DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers.
FD & C Color PIGMENTS:
Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer's dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients.
FRAGRANCE:
If you are allergic to products with fragrance the symptoms for you will be alot worse. But for others using products with fragrance it may cause skin irritation. Remember "Fragrance" on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic.
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN:
According to the Mayo clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations.
