It is true. Common ingredients found in many popular hair care products have toxic ingredients in them that can cause various health risks such as blindness, reduced sperm count, immune system suppression, and even risks of certain cancers.
When we shampoo and condition our hair, the pores in our scalp absorb the chemicals used to make the products we use. Often times, people pay no mind to the ingredients used to make the hair care products used, but those same ingredients we expect to give the desired results can be the same ingredients that one day finds one in the hospital with a cancer diagnosis.
Most shampoos contain a harsh chemical used as the detergent agent, some fancy fragrance that only the maker really knows the chemicals used in its development, synthetic coloring, and numerous other ingredients that are toxic for ones body.
Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) and also commonly known as sodium dodecyl and sodium laureth sulfate (SLFS) is one such detergent agent used in popular shampoos. What manufactures fail to inform people though is that this chemical is very toxic to young children and can even lead to blindness. Not only that but the other risks associated with SLS and its derivatives are cataract formations, possible link between SLS and SLFS to cancer, skin irritation, dermatitis, premature hair loss, scalp irritations, eczema, dandruff, and other harmful scalp conditions. This is just one chemical component used in the making of shampoos and the risks just to that particular chemical. Compile the risks of the other chemicals used in making shampoo and you have a toxic waste dump that you are pouring on your hair.
Hair conditioners are no better and may be possibly worse as it is common for people to allow a conditioner to sit on their scalp for several minutes before rinsing off. This allows the hazardous hair product ingredients to have that much more time to seep into your system through the pores in your scalp. Just one drop of SLS can stay in your system for five days giving it plenty of time to move into your systemic tissues such as your brain, liver and other vital organs.
If you wash and condition your hair daily your body is never free of this chemical that can be causing you some serious risks, not to mention the risks for a small child exposed. The fragrances used alone in conditioners come with some very serious side effects such as immune system suppression, endocrine disruptors, and cancer.
So one may ask, what is the alternative? The first and foremost thing any consumer should do is educate themselves on the possible risks of the ingredients used in the products they purchase. This goes for all products, not just hair care products, but it is a great place to start.
Another solution is to make your own hair care products so you know exactly what the ingredients are. You can shampoo with an egg shampoo, which is simply a couple eggs beaten until foamy and massaged in your hair as you would a traditional shampoo, however it does leave a film on your hair. This can be resolved with a vinegar or lemon juice water rinse (ratio 3 TBLSP vinegar or juice per 1-cup water).
A great conditioner is just warming up a can of beer and pouring it over the hair. Allow it to sit for about a minute and then rinse with water. There are various other homemade shampoo and conditioner recipes one can use to achieve beautiful hair without the risks of harmful side effects.
Educate yourself on not only what you ingest into your body but what you put on your body as well; it can be just as harmful to your health.
