Shampoo and Condition 101

Most shampoos contain foaming agents (surfactants) that lather up and clean the scalp and hair. When choosing a shampoo, read the front of the bottle to find out what it "claims" to do. African hair needs moisturizing shampoos so that their hair does not dry out and break off with the harsh chemicals. I usually look for shampoos that say moisturizing or smoothing. Then I look for the ingredients below.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (very harsh and very stripping to the hair)
Sodium Laureth Sulphate (milder, but stripping to the hair)
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (harsh and strips the hair)
Ammonium Laureth Sulphate (milder, but can strip the hair)
Cocobetaine (very mild)
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (very mild)
Sodium Myreth Sulphate (Sodium Myristil Ether Sulphate) (milder, but can strip the hair)
Sodium Pareth Sulphate (not as common as the other sulphates) (milder)

I will put down a shampoo quick as hell if it has more than one of these listed. Ive seen an Aussie hair care product that had like 3 of the harshest ones listed and was shocked. Ew.

1. Another ingredient that can try out the hair is ALCOHOL! Some alcohols are preservatives to now you may exhale. Isopropyl alcohol and SD-40 alcohol are in many products. When you see it listed on a shampoo bottle, PUT IT DOWN!

2. Its really sad how companies will put in ingredients just because they are cheap. Mineral oil, petrolatum, and petroleum oil are used in SO many products today. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil. It clogs the pores of your skin and scalp and coats your hair. Over time, the build up of these ingredients can dry your hair out severely.

3. PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG) break down protein and cellular structure.

5. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine), FD & C Color PIGMENTS & or FRAGRANCE (parfum) are carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes.

6. CHLORINE may cause asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair. For this reason, I invested in a filtering shower head. I dont let tap water touch my hair.

7. Silicones are controversial. They are known to coat th hair, possibly trapping in moisture. They can be removed with foaming agent. These ingredients end with "xane" or "cone". Many enjoy the feel of silicones.

8. - Parabens anything ending with "paraben" is said to cause cancer.

9. Stay away from FORMALDEHYDE

With all the items Ive listed, in theory, if you detox every now and then and consume antioxidants , you will be able to get rid of these toxins. I will never use a harsh shampoo with drying surfactants, chlorine, mineral oil, petrolatum, petroleum oil, or PG. They effect the hair the most. The other ingredients are toxins. However, I like silicones.

Now that you've learned a little about the ingredients of the products you have used, go to this website and it will let you know how SAFE they are according to the ingredients. http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/ I find this to be very helpful if youre health conscience.