Today, we would like to share a brief lesson on hair to help our clients obtain a better understanding of the strands that make up our crowning glory, why we think organic beats traditional shampoo, and a list of ingredients you should avoid when purchasing for your precious locks.
Understanding the strands of hair
Hair has three main components: It’s made of protein (mainly a kind called keratin) along with natural oils that keep hair flexible and water. The outside, or the part that everyone sees, is called the cuticle and is made of five to ten, overlapping layers of protein like shingles on a roof. These protect what’s underneath, which is the middle section called the cortex. The cortex holds long bundles of proteins that give hair its strength and keep it from breaking. And at the center is an empty zone called the medulla that helps insulate the hair. Not all hair has the medulla. It’s usually found in coarse, dark hair.
When it comes to hair products, the most important part is the cuticle. When the layers of protein lie smoothly against each other, hair looks shiny and smooth. Everyday things, like brushing and washing hair, makes the cuticle stand up straight. That makes it frizzy and more prone to breaking and split ends. One of the most damaging things for hair is a simple wash and dry because the water swells the hair and messes up the cuticle.
Organic beats traditional shampoo
Unlike traditional shampoos, Organic shampoos won’t irritate and dry out your scalp because they are soft and gentle. Lack of chemicals means that your hair won’t be damaged or dried out. If you have colored hair, natural shampoo is safe to use for you because it doesn’t strip color, and can actually make it look more radiant. All the nutrients, vitamins, and oils in organic shampoos will provide the nourishment your hair needs, making it healthy and beautiful. They are absolutely safe to use, so you don’t need to be worried about ingesting harmful chemicals into your body and skin.
The fantastic smelling foam we all love so much that lathers up our hair actually contains many harmful ingredients such as sulfate, alcohol, silicone, parabens, and even traces of anti-freeze. Organic shampoos don’t have the chemicals present in traditional shampoos. They contain natural ingredients like proteins, essential oils, vitamins, fruit extracts and so much other goodness. These ingredients in themselves are amazing nutrients for your hair. Natural shampoos also don’t have the SLS ingredient, which means that they don’t lather up as well. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that they don’t clean your hair just as well. Simply give an extra rinse, and your hair will be just as clean and shiny as ever.
Here is a main list of ingredients you should avoid:
Alcohol (if listed as one of the first four ingredients)
Sodium Laureth sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Ammonium lauryl sulfate
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Triethanolamine (TEA)
Parabens
Polyethylene glycol
Synthetic Fragrance/Parfum
Propylene Glycol (aka anti-freeze)
Dimethicone
Formaldehyde
Petrolatum
Siloxanes (ending in -siloxane or -methicone)
