Standard hair products contain a myriad of chemicals, including many that are known to be harmful. The products you put in your hair will get absorbed into the skin and accumulate over time. Look for healthier hair products in the “Natural & Healthy” areas of your grocery store or go to a health food store for safe options.
Standard Hair Colourings contain the following harmful ingredients:
Ammonia: can lead to upper respiratory tract symptoms and hand, wrist & arm dermatitis for hair dressers- Coal Tar ingredients: AKA “aminophenol”, “diaminobenzene” & “p-phenylenediamine (PPD) are all known human carcinogens. PPD is considered toxic in Europe but widely used in Canada. These can irritate the skin, causing blistering, burning and itching
- Hydrogen Peroxide: a chemical called monoethanotamine can cause skin irritation and hair loss
- Parabens like propylparaben, butylparaben, isopropylparaben and isobutylparaben are cosmetic preservatives that cause endocrine disruption as well as developmental and reproductive disorders
- Phthalates are also endocrine disruptors and can cause cancer, infertility and diabetes
- Resorcinol is irritating to the skin and toxic to the immune system
- more names to avoid include: diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, quaternium 15, sodium laurel or laureth sulphate
Ammonia: can lead to upper respiratory tract symptoms and hand, wrist & arm dermatitis for hair dressersNatural options:
- use a moisturizing serum with ingredients like bamboo extract and argan oil to help reduce static and friciton
- for Dandruff, use aloe vera with a 30% aloe emulsion to reduce itchiness and scaliness
- use a 2% Lemongrass shampoo
- use a 5% tea tree oil shampoo
- CoQ10 stimulates the production of hair keratin which is essential for strong and healthy hair