![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
From http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=110&s=hair
products published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 100 percent
of shampoos tested contained ingredients that have not been assessed for
safety by either the Cosmetic Industry Review panel (an industry body)
or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is charged with
regulating cosmetic ingredients. Other hair-raising facts:
*69 percent of hair-dye products may pose cancer risks
*76 percent of conditioners contain ingredients that are allergens
*93 percent of shampoos possibly contain harmful impurities linked to
cancer or other health problems. "
Top Four Ingredients to Avoid
1. Phthalates: These chemicals get covered up on labels by the general
term "fragrance," which the FDA permits to protect "trade secrets." But
they're readily absorbed by our fingernails, skin and lungs. This July,
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported finding the
metabolized forms of dibutyl phthalates, used in nail polish and
synthetic fragrance, in every person tested in their national "body
burden" study. Studies have found that phthalates can lead to liver
cancer and birth defects in lab animals, and now research into the
effects on humans is beginning to emerge.
For example, a study from the University of Minnesota, published in the
May 2005 Environmental Health Perspectives, found a connection between
phthalates and genital abnormalities in baby boys. Researchers measured
the level of phthalates in the urine of 85 pregnant women and found that
mothers with high levels of phthalates gave birth to boys with one or
more developmental issues, including problems such as smaller penises
and scrotums or less developed testicles. Although Dr. Christine
Ternand, one of the study's authors and an assistant professor of
clinical medicine at the University of Minnesota, said it was
"premature" to instruct women to avoid these chemicals altogether, she
added, "If I were pregnant or trying to get pregnant, I would reduce my
exposure-and my fetus's exposure-to products containing phthalates."
To reduce exposures to phthalates, steer clear of shampoos and
conditioners listing "fragrance" as an ingredient. Although some
manufacturers have recently declared that they've removed phthalates
from their products (see below), in the absence of specific labeling it
remains unclear to what extent, and in which products, this is actually
the case. Instead, choose products whose labels list only non-synthetic
fragrancing ingredients, such as essential oils of lavender, mint or
verbena. And before trying any new cosmetic product, do a
touch-and-sniff test, since natural oils can cause irritation or
allergic reactions in some people.
2. Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, ethyl- and butyl): Some studies have
shown that parabens mimic estrogen in rodents; the chemicals also have
been shown to stimulate growth of human breast-cancer cells in the lab.
3. Coal Tar: In 1993, the FDA issued a warning to consumers about coal
tar being a possible cancer risk. Coal tar appears in many hair dyes and
strong dandruff and psoriasis shampoos, but the FDA failed to ban it
even though studies have linked it to cancer in lab animals. The EWG
found that 71 hair-dye products contained ingredients derived from coal
tar. John Masters of John Masters Organics, a New York City hair stylist
for 30 years, says that he shuns the use of coal tars in his hair dyes
for his own safety and the safety of his clients and staff. "The skin
absorbs 70 percent of what we put on it. It's important that people know
what they're applying and taking into their body," Masters says.
4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are
found in some shampoos and conditioners and may cause hair loss and
scalp irritation.
Companies and Governments Making Healthy Changes
If you live in Europe, you're somewhat better protected than you are
here in the States. In September 2004, a European Union ruling went into
effect banning hundreds of carcinogens and reproductive toxins from all
personal-care products on the European market. To put that in
perspective, in its 67-year history of monitoring cosmetics, the FDA has
banned only nine chemicals.
In response to the EU ruling, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is urging
American companies to sign its Compact for Safe Cosmetics pledge to stop
using dangerous chemicals. More than 150 companies, including Aubrey,
Avalon, Burt's Bees and Terressentials, have signed. But as of July
2005, several mainstream companies had not. "We continue to be surprised
by the lack of willingness on the part of major conventional cosmetics
companies, like Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, Revlon, Avon,
Unilever and Procter & Gamble, to make the commitment," says Janet
Nudelman, coordinator for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Complicating matters is an ongoing debate as to what constitutes a
health risk. A May 2005 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) review of 79 studies did not find "strong evidence" of a "marked
increase" in cancer among personal hair-dye users, even though risk of
some cancers was significantly, though slightly, increased. But
according to Tongzhang Zheng, M.D., head of the Division of
Environmental Health Sciences at Yale University and an author of a 2002
hair-dye study examined by the JAMA reviewers, "The report ignored
important information. Because [this report] didn't have original data
from individual studies, the analyses had to select some results from
each published paper," he says. The JAMA writers chose to include
studies based on systematic criteria (such as the way the study was
designed). As a result, however, the analysis left out some related
research, such as a study Dr. Zheng published in the American Journal of
Epidemiology in 2004. "In [that] report," he says, "we found that the
risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was doubled for those using darker
permanent hair-coloring products for more than 25 years."
Until scientists agree as to what's risky (which may not happen soon),
consumers can take the simple step of avoiding potentially dangerous
ingredients. Below are some products that are in agreement with the
EWG's safety concerns and that avoid chemicals on The Green Guide's
Dirty Dozen list. "It's great to know that there are safe options out
there," says Kapfer. "I don't have to compromise my health to look
good."
Safe Shampoos
Not your traditional shampoo, Terressentials Organic Pure Earth Hair
Wash in Fragrance Free, Cool Mint and three other varieties contains no
synthetic ingredients or detergents. Made from Moroccan clay, this
unique, non-lathering mud wash was ranked number one by the EWG.
(www.terressentials.com, 8 oz., $10.75)
If you want to ditch the bottle, you can try a bar of Burt's Bees
Rosemary Mint Shampoo. It contains oat protein, peppermint oil, nettle
leaf, rosemary leaf, avocado oil and coconut oil. Plus the smell is
totally invigorating. (www.burtsbees.com, 3.5 oz., $6)
The phthalate- and paraben-free Rosa Mosqueta shampoo from Aubrey
Organics is great for color-treated hair. Added bonus: The
rosy scent lasts all day long.
(www.aubrey-organics.com, 11 oz., $9.50)
Conditioners
The EWG ranked Weleda's Rosemary Phyto conditioner number three, and
it's great for treating brittle split ends. (usa.weleda.com, 8 oz., $10)
All of Avalon Organics' products are phthalate- and paraben-free, but
the Lemon Clarifying Conditioner is one of the best. It contains 100
percent vegetarian ingredients and brings out your hair's natural
highlights.
(www.avalonorganics.com, 14 oz., $8)
A great product that controls tangles and flyaways is Aubrey Organics'
Green Tea Finishing Cream Rinse. (www.aubrey-organics.com, 11 oz., $9.50)
Hair Dyes
According to David Steinman, M.S., author of the Safe Shopper's Bible,
the easiest way to determine if your hair dye is dangerous is to check
for a "warning label" instructing you to avoid the eyebrow area. This
means that the product likely contains dyes that could potentially cause
cancer, Steinman says. He adds that if you're pregnant or trying to
conceive, "This is not the time to be dying your hair." As a general
rule, avoid permanent dyes and caustic ammonia, which can burn scalp and
eyes. Semi- or demi-permanent colors are gentler.
Safer Options
Aubrey Organics' henna-based dye Color Me Natural is free of coal tar.
(www.aubrey-organics. com, 4 oz., $11.95)
Light Mountain's 100 percent henna-based dye works wonders covering up
gray. (7 oz., $11)
If you'd rather hit the salon, John Masters Organic Salon, in New York
City, offers clay and herbal-based highlights that are 100 percent
ammonia and coal-tar free and contain very little hydrogen peroxide.
(www.johnmasters.com, herbal dye starts at $90; clay highlights start at
$125)
Or try Aveda's very gentle, semi-permanent color-enhancing shampoos and
conditioners. (www.aveda.com, for prices call 866-823-1425)
no subject
But it's just disgusting all the products that include it. It's not even just shampoos. Pretty much all body washes and toothpastes contain it too! I hate them because they used to put it rats' eyes just to test how much it irritates the eyes and skin. >:(
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
My sympathies on your scalp. ^^ I'm rather lucky with my hair. It's nice and thick and stright with no real problems, and if I let it dry in a bun it has a real neat wave. :D
no subject
You can normaly find alot of this stuff in the 4-8 price range. It lasts longer then then cheepo crap too.
http://www.mothernature.com/shop/sections/index.cfm/s/98670 <-- to show the price range in stuff. Anything with Essenitial oils is gonna be more expencive cause of the price of those things. But it's one of those 'get what you pay for' sorts of things. I always find the natural bottles o shampoo last me alot longer then he cheepo ones too. So it's sorta like getting a 50buck pair of jeans that you know will last you a good 10 years if you don't change size vs spending 15 bucks for some walmart special cheep thing that'll wear out in a year.
no subject
no subject
I never really fit right into Walmart jeans. Short and tubby is a nitch market. @_@ And the ones I could get in always wore out or ripped quickly.
So it was a bad analgy. :D Either way, you can find stuff that's better for you in about the same price range as a crappy stuff, unless you use dollar a bottle shampoo.
no subject
I'm, er, on the heavy side m'self (stupid thyroid just had to go and conk out on me -- I used to be skinny), but I'm tall. That helps a bit. ;)
And I use the 97 cents a bottle (or less) stuff. Unless more of the Paul Mitchell stuff turns up at one of the cosmetic outlets. LOL I can usually get *that* for around $1 a bottle.
no subject
My thyroid's busted as well. 5 foot 1 and over the 200lb mark onthe scale. ^^ I was so happy... the Fashonbug plus section had short cut 18s that fit AWSOMELY.
Only, I only manage to get one pair.. >< Must go back and check to see if they have those again, they were so awsome last year....
no subject