The Dangers of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

June 3, 2019Leave a comment

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is in just about every foaming product you find on the shelves; shampoo, body wash, hand soap, toothpastes, lotions, sunscreen, you name it, SLS is most likely in it.

I have been wanting to blog solely about SLS. There is controversy surrounding this ingredient. It’s in everything. Why?

SLS is an anionic detergent and surfactant that creates a foamy lather everyone loves when they are shampooing or soaping up in the shower. SLS is listed as a moderate hazard. It has been linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation and endocrine disruption.

The Environment Canada Domestic Substance List has SLS listed as a concern and “expected to be toxic or harmful.” Specifically a high concern for irritation in the eyes, skin and lungs.

With even the slightest concern of toxicity to us, why put it in our products? To me, it doesn’t make sense. I can’t comprehend it.

SLS has been deemed safe in the States on a single factor. When washing your hair or cleansing with soap, it is quick. It is meant to be rinsed off. The short period of time that it is in contact with your skin, it shouldn’t affect you. As long as SLS stays under 1% in any product, the FDA approves it.

In a previous blog I made regarding Head and Shoulders I noted that because SLS is an irritant, if not completely rinsed from the scalp it can cause hair loss due to the irritation it causes in the follicle.

SLS is still a noted sulfate. From my cosmetologist standpoint, it should be avoided if you have colored hair. It infact will fade your color.

My journey for finding products that are clean, chemical free and safe has become successful with the discovery of Arbonne. SLS and a similar sulfate SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are two of the many ingredients banned in Arbonne products.

What are you putting on your skin? Have you done your ingredient research? It’s detrimental to your health you become your own advocate and learn what you are putting on and in your body.

SOURCES:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/174367-dangers-of-sodium-lauryl-sulfate/

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/706110/SODIUM_LAURYL_SULFATE/

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulfate#possible-dangers

DevaCurl High Shine

April 23, 2019Leave a comment

After using High Shine for the first time, I have to say I was incredibly impressed. Most shine sprays are immensely heavy and tend to weigh the hair down. Not this finishing spray! This formula is super light weight and will last you a LONG time. You only need a small amount. A little goes a long way. There are five beneficial main oils in this formula.

Ingredient Break Down

The five oils in high shine are coconut oil, flaxseed oil, babassu oil, passion fruit oil and pequi oil. There are no silicones, NO sulfates, including sodium lauryl sulfate (which is detrimental, as discussed in a previous blog post), no mineral oil and contains less than 1% of synthetic fragrance; which in today’s beauty world, it is almost unheard of to have a product without synthetic fragrance.

Coconut oil in this formula is the frizz tamer. Flaxseed oil gives the hair nutrients and strength. Babassu oil gives hair light weight shine without leaving build up in your curls. Which as many curly girls know, in order to have healthy, hydrated curls, the products you use cannot leave residue in your hair… Otherwise you have to deal with frizz. Pequi oil also aids in taming frizz while helping to define curls. Lastly, and MOST importantly, passion fruit oil infuses moisture into your curls making them luscious and hydrated.

How do I use it?

My personal favorite way to use it is to spray it on my hands to get a more controlled application. I will then run it through the ends of the hair and (gently) scrunch up as a finishing touch. You can spray all over your hair while it’s wet, before air drying or diffusing.

Who is it for?

All curl types! I, personally, love to use it on all textured hair types. Of course I use it on my curly girls, but I love it for my coarse haired ladies to tame flyaways and give a smooth, light-weight shine finishing touch!

If you haven’t tried it, I definitely suggest it! Like I said earlier in this post, you only need a small amount. I use one to two sprays in my hand before applying to the hair. Somethings two sprays is too much. Just be mindful of that!

Your hair will thank you for using this silicone/sulfate free product!

SOURCE:

https://www.devacurl.com/high-shine-oil.html

Foods That Aid in Hair Growth

April 4, 2019Leave a comment

Did you know a poor diet can lead to hair loss? The nutrients from foods we eat impacts the health of our hair. With proper nutrition and sulfate free cleansers/conditioners, you will not only have strong, healthy hair, but you will help the growing process! To better understand how hair growth works, I will break down the main phases of the growth cycle.

Three Phases of Hair Growth

The first stage of hair growth is Anagen or the “growth” phase. It occurs in the hair follicle. The hair remains in this stage for approximately 2-8 years and is usually determined by genetics. In this stage, the hair grows around 1 centimeter every 28 days. “The root of the hair is dividing rapidly, adding to the hair shaft.”

Catagen is the next stage. It lasts about 2-3 weeks and completes the active hair growth. The hair becomes “club” hair. “A club hair is formed during the catagen phase when the part of the hair follicle in contact with the lower portion of the hair becomes attached to the hair shaft.” Blood supply ceases at this this point. Once the club hair is completed, on to the telogen phase.

Telogen is known as the “resting phase” and lasts about 3 months. When the body becomes extremely stressed, up to 70% of the hair can enter this stage too early and cause hair loss. The club hair becomes “dead keratinized” hair and completes the telogen phase.

Avocados

Egyptians were known for using avocados in their hair because of their moisturizing qualities. Avocados are an excellent source of fatty acids and vitamins B and E.

Vitamin E is known for its protective qualities when it comes to the skin and scalp. If you are struggling with damage to your scalp, hair growth may be delayed. Your body cannot naturally produce the fatty acids it needs. They are necessary for healthy cells. “A deficiency in fatty acids have been linked to hair loss.”

Bottom line: Eat your guacamole! Avocados provide the essential vitamins and fatty acids your scalp and cells need to promote hair growth!

Sweet Potatoes

My fiance’ and I LIVE off sweet potatoes. They are full of beta-carotene which the body transforms into Vitamin A.

Vitamin A aids in the production of sebum. Sebum as we know is necessary to keep the hair naturally hydrated and healthy. Vitamin A has been thought to speed up the growth process but simultaneously protects the follicle as it does.

A sweet potato at about 114 grams has enough beta-carotene to create four times the amount vitamin A the body requires daily.

Spinach

Spinach is such an amazing, nutrient packed, vegetable. It contains vitamin A, iron, beta-carotene, folate and vitamin c. As previously discussed, vitamin A is great for sebum production. Beta-Carotene helps promote speedy hair growth and the folate and iron help battle brittle hair. If you do not receive enough of your daily iron intake, it can lead to hair loss.

Chicken and Turkey (The Lean Meats)

PROTEIN. Protein is immensely important to maintaining constant and consistent hair growth. When you do not get enough protein, your hair will become stagnant in growth and remain in a resting phase. Chicken and turkey are better options than pork and beef because the saturated fat content is significantly lower.

Eggs

Eggs are high in both protein and biotin. Biotin is a B vitamin. Biotin aids in hair and nail growth. If you are not receiving enough biotin in your diet, it can result in hair loss. If you think about it, your hair is made up of keratin, a protein. Your hair follicle needs that protein to produce healthy, strong hair.

Berries

Berries are full of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants play an important role in keeping the follicle damage free from free radicals that are present in the environment. Vitamin C also is trivial to collagen protection. Collagen is important in fighting brittle hair, preventing breakage in the process.

1 cup of strawberries gives you 141% of your daily vitamin c intake.

Cinnamon

My favorite way to incorporate cinnamon into my diet is by sprinkling some in my coffee. It makes my coffee taste like fall all year round! You can also use a dash of cinnamon on your sweet potatoes! That’s how my fiance’ loves to eat his.

But, in all seriousness, cinnamon has numerous health benefits. Cinnamon is a great aid in circulation, it reduces heart disease and it is such a powerful antioxidant it can be used to preserve food.

By introducing cinnamon into your diet, it will help allow the nutrients and oxygen to reach the follicle because of its ability to enhance circulation.

You Are What You Eat

Eating these healthier, nutritious foods will only benefit you. You can’t expect to eat cheeseburgers and fries every day and have long, luscious, locks. Feeding your body what it needs to create strong, shiny, healthy hair is going to not only make YOU feel better, but make your hair feel like it has never felt before!

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-for-hair-growth#section2

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-foods-healthy-hair

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon#section4

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-the-hair#1