About Shampoo

Are you aware of the detrimental effect chemicals have on our body and to our well-being?

What do these ingredients really do?

To make you aware of the negative side effects these ingredients have on humans, here is a list of Common ingredients used in shampoo, conditioner and skin care by most commercial Industries .

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) (a foaming agent used in Shampoo)
It is used in concrete floor cleaners, engine degreasers, car wash detergents. The journal of the American College of Toxicology Vol. 2, No.7, 1983, very clearly states that "SLS is a mutagen. In sufficient amounts, it is capable of changing the information in genetic material found in cells" SLS is a skin irritant. Corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair. Its absorption through skin contact, maintains resudual toxic levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain. Can damage the immune system, causing inflammation of the skin, causing separation of skin layers. Side effects may be, cataracts, improper eye development in infants and young children, mouth ulcers, headaches and dermatitis.

Propylene Glycol: (a humectant, humidifying agent)
This ingredients is generally used in brake fluid, anti freeze, laundry detergents, paints and floor wax. The material safety data sheet states: "implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities; can inhibit cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage". It's a petroleum plastic that easily penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. It can weaken cellular structure. It's a solvent powerful it dissolves through a stainless steel tank in 48hrs, so it has to be stored in plastic drums. It is used in the cosmetic industry to keep products from melting or freezing in extreme temperatures.

DEA (diethanolamine)MIE (monoethanolamine) TEA (triethnolamine)
These ingredients are again found in most products that foam, (like shampoos etc.,) These hormone disrupting chemicals, are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. On February 23, 1998, the CBS talk show 'This Morning', reported on a USA Federal Government Study, that DEA & TEA based detergents, greatly increase the risk of cancer, especially liver and kidney cancer.

Behentrimonium Chloride: (used in most Conditioner as a detangler)
A toxic ammonium compound. Ingestion can be fatal. Concentrations as low as 0.1% can be irritating to eyes and can cause necrosis (tissue death) of mucus membrane.

Mineral Oil:(used in body and especially baby products)
Petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. It interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne, Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging.

Triclosan: (used widely in antibacterial cleansers, tooth paste and other household products)
An Hormone disruptor. Interfers with hormones perfomance such as changing genetic material, decreasing fertility fostering birth defects etc., posing long-term chronic health risks. Stored in body fat, it can accumulate to toxic levels, thus damaging the liver, kidneys and lungs and can cause paralysis, and heart problems.

These are only a few to mention . . . as there are a lot more toxic ingredients found in personal and hair care products and sadly, unknown to some of us, we expose ourselves daily to these toxic cocktails. Isn't it any wonder that cancer is running rampant, and what has been the cosmetic industry response to these facts? "more tests are needed to prove it" but by then, it may be too late for some of us, meanwhile . . the negative consequences to our health with the continued use of personal products are far too many.

How do these chemicals effect our body?

The petrochemicals found in most shampoos and cosmetics are absorbed through the scalp and skin and with time, accumulate in the organs and body tissues. This in turn may result in brain, nerve and liver damage. Such chemical invasion on our body has become too much for our body to cope with and yet unscrupulous companies that manufacture products with toxic ingredients, don't seem to care very much about our well-being. Meanwhile as bureaucracy moves at a snail's pace in forbidding the use of such harmful ingredients in personal products, we continue to suffer because of it. I find this rather alarming therefore it's left up to us as consumers, in recognizing the dangers to our health and to stop buying these products. Perhaps only then, the message will be carried across to the multimillion dollar companies.

You have a choice

Ultimately, it's up to us as consumers, to make the necessary changes. YES! You and I have a choice, so let's begin by educating ourselves and arming ourselves with knowledge, most importantly, to become aware of the negative consequences these toxic chemicals carry to our body. So before you buy, read every label in every product, with the understanding that by choosing products that are safe to use, will take you to the path of health instead of one of detriment.