I admit, I am now obsessed with
my hair after having lost it twice to cancer treatment. Now, I only use the best
products available that are healthy and also environmentally safe, which means
“green.”
What is the difference between commercial, natural,
and organic shampoos? 100% pure may not be 100% organic, and that can be a
problem.
·
Organic shampoo is
free of dyes, chemicals, synthetic ingredients or other potentially harmful irritants
that could damage your hair or the environment.
·
All
natural formulas do not contain synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances,
chemical preservatives, sulfates or other detergents that can strip or
dehydrate hair, but they may not be organic.
·
Organic
may be natural as well, but the ingredients
are also organic.
According to the Center for Science in the Public
Interest (CSPI), some of the preservatives used to protect products can
actually harm humans. The consumer
industry sells harmful items to us because its goal is to make products look
and smell appealing without thought to the products’ safety value. Buyer
beware!
Here are some ingredients
that we do not want in our hair
products and why.
Chemical preservatives- help shampoos last longer. Preservatives can be natural, like salt or sugar, or
complex chemicals manufactured in laboratories.
Synthetic chemicals- laboratory made
compounds that do not exist in nature. During WWII, chemists invented
plastics, pesticides, solvents, degreasers, insulators, and other materials.
There are now more than 100,000 synthetic chemicals on the market and in
commercial shampoos where they can be absorbed into our bodies.
Paraben- A study conducted by
the Department of Biology and Biochemistry of Brunel University in the UK found
that alkyl hydroxy benzoate preservatives (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and
butylparaben) have the ability to mimic estrogen in the body. They believe that parabens absorbed through
the skin of pregnant women may act like an alien female hormone, affecting the
development of the fetus. Professor John Sumpter wrote an article in The
Independent expressing concern that parabens may play a role in explaining why
sperm counts in men have fallen and breast cancer is on the rise.
Gluten- use gluten-free shampoos if you
are suffering with any gluten intolerance symptoms. Here are some “scientific
references” found on shampoo labels, which are biological names for gluten—amino
peptide complex, samino peptide complex, hydrolyzed vegetable protein,
hydrolyzed malt extract, phytosphingosine extract,
stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl, hydroxypropyltrimonium, beta glucan, prolamine,
maltodextrin, and cyclodextrin.
Sodium nitrate and nitrite- preservatives that help prevent
discoloration and unpleasant odor. Studies have linked absorbing them to
various types of cancer.
Sulfates- create the rich lather you get
from shampoos. Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALS), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS),
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Myreth Sulfate are the most commonly used
sulfates in the shampoos. Research has shown that it damages hair follicles and
can result in hair loss.
Sulfites- preservatives and antioxidants
used to preserve color and to prevent unwanted bacteria from spoiling the
natural ingredients in shampoo. They occur naturally in foods. One in every
hundred people is sensitive or allergic to them. If you have asthma, your
chances of sulfite sensitivity are one in ten.
Here
are some healthy organic shampoos available in stores and online.
mim-MORROCCO
METHOD INT’L www.MorroccoMethod.com is pure, raw,
vegan holistic and organic. The four mim
shampoos address different hair types and embrace the four elements of water,
air, earth and fire. The Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo embraces fire.
Organix
products http://www.organixhair.com/content/faq
are paraben, gluten, sodium and sulfate free, contain no lauryl or laureth sulfates. Products
may be purchased in stores and online from websites including: amazon.com,
cvs.com, walgreens.com, cosmeticsolutions.biz
For years this product was only available in select hair salons. Organix
will not bleach out colored or highlighted hair and are not treated on animals.
John Masters Organic Lavender Rosemary
Shampoo- http://www.bestcovery.com/john-masters-organics-lavender-rosemary-shampoo-for-normal-hair-8-fl-oz
is made with 15 quality certified
organic ingredients, does not contain sulfates, is designed to prevent hair
loss and stimulate new growth, and is safe on color treated hair.
Miessence Organic Shampoo- http://www.buygreen.com/miessenceshampoo.aspx
is a natural, organic, ultra-mild shampoo that is so safe it is edible. It
only uses certified organic cold-pressed and unrefined oils and therapeutic
grade herb and flower extracts that are cold-formulated so precious oils are
never exposed to damaging heat.
Desert Essence Essence Organic
Fregrence Free Shampoo- an unscented organic shampoo available at Lucky Vitamin http://www.luckyvitamin.com/m-391-desert-essence?search=1&Query=refine%253dy%2526Manufacturerid%253d391&view=&SearchTerm=Shampoo&gclid=CJ3P25X78bACFUff4AodQmloxg
Organic shampoos are also
great options for kids and pets because they are environmentally safe, healthy,
all natural, gentle and good for our health.
Resources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/265025-why-are-sulfates-in-hair-products-bad/
About the author-
Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos is a two- time breast cancer survivor who penned
SURVIVING CANCERLAND. www.survivingcancerland.com
, Radio Co-host of Beyond the 5 Senses & is represented by Devra Jacobs-
Dancing Word Group Literary Agency & Steve Allen PR Media. Follow her on
FB@ http://t.co/aD3Zo3q T@https://twitter.com/psychichealing
LI http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top
, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebodymindandspiritnetwork/2012/06/27/beyond-the-5-senses
No comments:
Post a Comment