Luscious locks are eye-catching and a sign of good health. But there's no need to spend thousands of dollars and subject yourself to harsh chemicals in your quest for beautiful hair. Natural hair care products are kind to your body, your wallet and the environment.
What's in Your Shampoo?
A quick glance at the ingredients list of any standard shampoo will show a plethora of chemicals. But these chemicals aren't necessarily in the product to nourish your hair. They're in there to:
- Increase shelf life of the product
- Create foaming suds to make customers "feel" their hair is clean
- Add artificial fragrance to make the product smell appealing
- Help the various chemicals adhere or "mix" with each other
The skin absorbs anything we put on it. Why would we let our bodies absorb all these chemicals most of us can't even pronounce let alone understand what they do? Many of these chemicals strip the hair of its natural oils, creating split ends and breakage. They're also irritating to the scalp and can cause flaking scalp, welts and itchiness. And don't forget the impact they have on the environment.
Not All "Natural" Hair Care Products Are Pure
Many hair care products claim to be "natural" if they contain an extract of a plant. But in Australia a product can contain just five per cent of a pure ingredient and be labeled "natural". Your best guideline is to read the labels and avoid products that contain harsh chemicals such as:
- Petrochemicals
- Mineral oils
- Sodium lauryl sulphate
- Propylene/methylene glycol
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- DEA
- Benzenes
- Plants Nourish Hair
Hair care products containing pure ingredients generally use organic herbs and essentials oils such as:
- Aloe Vera – strengthens hair
- Coconut oil – nourishes hair, adds gloss
- Rosemary – stimulates hair growth, adds shine
- Lavender – prevents hair loss
- Hemp – reduces hair loss and conditions
- Tea tree oil – unclogs blocked hair follicles
- Chamomile – soothes scalp and prevents flaking
- Wheat protein – eliminates tangles
- Soy protein - hydrates
Natural Hues Better Than Harsh Chemical Dye
Look for natural dyes that have extracts of vegetables, plants and herbs. Avoid dyes containing ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and PPD (p-Phenylenediamine).
Hair Straighteners Stretch Health Standards
Pancake flat, frizz-free hair may be fashionable but using keratin-based straightening chemicals could be harmful to your health. In December 2010 the Australian Government recalled the straightening product Brazilian Blowout and urged people to stop using it immediately. In February 2011 the US Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a health hazard alert to salons about the potential risk of hair straightening products containing formaldehyde (including Brazilian Blowout), claiming they cause nose and lung irritations and an increased risk of developing cancer. What to do to get straight hair? The good old fashioned way with a blow dryer.
Choosing natural hair care products can be confusing. It's best to read the ingredients list and avoid as many harsh chemicals as possible.
Originally published on Apr 28, 2011
