shiatsu^26
08-24-2010, 12:30 AM
If your wondering why you are seeing more Sulfate & Paraben Free Products on the super market shelves this is why.....
The break down on Parabens & Sulfates in our Hair & Body Care.
Okay, so I have been doing an enormous amount of research on everything pertaining to hair & hair care ingredients since I decided to venture into extending my product line. Making Shampoos & Conditioners has taken me over 9 months of researching, formulating & testing to get to the point I am at. Since I wanted to keep my product as natural as possible, I decided that Sulfate Free & Paraben Free would be the route I would take. Here is a crash Course of my findings.
What are Sulfates?
Sulfates are surfactants (detergents) that are in Shampoos & Washes.
You will see them as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, and TEA Sulfate.
We NEED detergents in our shampoos, as that is what get the dirt, oil & Hair product off of our hair. While these surfactants are usually derived from coconuts, they are considered toxic. The FDA has approved “usage levels” in Shampoos & Washes to be safe, but Sulfates are notoriously know as an irritant to millions of people. Some sulfates are considered milder than others. TEA Sulfate is one I have found to be the most gentle.
Statistically, Shampoos & Washes containing Sulfates are among the HIGHEST products reported to the FDA, for reason of irritations, rashes, & other skin & hair problems EACH YEAR.
Since Sulfates are so Harsh, they are known to strip Hair color as well. Some higher end salon Shampoos will include additives to their formulations in attempt to counter this effect.
Why Sulfates are considered a Health Risk
Aside from the Harshness of the ingredient stated above, the molecule structure of sulfates is so small that it can be absorbed into the body & blood stream via the skin & scalp. What health risk does this pose to us when we use them over a period of 20 – 50 years? WE DONT KNOW YET. That is the dilemma. Since Sulfates came about around the 1920's, and structured lab tests were not available to until much later, no long term tests have been performed yet to determine how high the risk factors are.
The theory is, If these surfactants have the KNOWN ability to corrode the skin, how much damage are they doing to us in the long run?
Parabens
Parabens are found at the bottom of most ingredient labels. Methylparaben (and) Propylparaben
(and) Ethylparaben (and) Butylparaben Are examples of how you would see them. Once again, these ingredients have such a small molecule structure that they can absorb through the skin.
What long term effects this can have is still in the gray area. At LEAST with these ingredients, the usage rate in usually between .5 & 1% in formulations, therefore the skin is only taking in very small quantities.
If any of you are having issues with the products you are using shoot me a PM, I make damn near everything from scratch, the beauty in that is I get to know WHAT my ingredients are. So mabey I can give some insight for ya , if you're having an issue. If you have any questions about skin , body hair & Muscle care let me know, Here or through a PM. This is actually a field I am very Comfortable with.
Take Care guys
The break down on Parabens & Sulfates in our Hair & Body Care.
Okay, so I have been doing an enormous amount of research on everything pertaining to hair & hair care ingredients since I decided to venture into extending my product line. Making Shampoos & Conditioners has taken me over 9 months of researching, formulating & testing to get to the point I am at. Since I wanted to keep my product as natural as possible, I decided that Sulfate Free & Paraben Free would be the route I would take. Here is a crash Course of my findings.
What are Sulfates?
Sulfates are surfactants (detergents) that are in Shampoos & Washes.
You will see them as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, and TEA Sulfate.
We NEED detergents in our shampoos, as that is what get the dirt, oil & Hair product off of our hair. While these surfactants are usually derived from coconuts, they are considered toxic. The FDA has approved “usage levels” in Shampoos & Washes to be safe, but Sulfates are notoriously know as an irritant to millions of people. Some sulfates are considered milder than others. TEA Sulfate is one I have found to be the most gentle.
Statistically, Shampoos & Washes containing Sulfates are among the HIGHEST products reported to the FDA, for reason of irritations, rashes, & other skin & hair problems EACH YEAR.
Since Sulfates are so Harsh, they are known to strip Hair color as well. Some higher end salon Shampoos will include additives to their formulations in attempt to counter this effect.
Why Sulfates are considered a Health Risk
Aside from the Harshness of the ingredient stated above, the molecule structure of sulfates is so small that it can be absorbed into the body & blood stream via the skin & scalp. What health risk does this pose to us when we use them over a period of 20 – 50 years? WE DONT KNOW YET. That is the dilemma. Since Sulfates came about around the 1920's, and structured lab tests were not available to until much later, no long term tests have been performed yet to determine how high the risk factors are.
The theory is, If these surfactants have the KNOWN ability to corrode the skin, how much damage are they doing to us in the long run?
Parabens
Parabens are found at the bottom of most ingredient labels. Methylparaben (and) Propylparaben
(and) Ethylparaben (and) Butylparaben Are examples of how you would see them. Once again, these ingredients have such a small molecule structure that they can absorb through the skin.
What long term effects this can have is still in the gray area. At LEAST with these ingredients, the usage rate in usually between .5 & 1% in formulations, therefore the skin is only taking in very small quantities.
If any of you are having issues with the products you are using shoot me a PM, I make damn near everything from scratch, the beauty in that is I get to know WHAT my ingredients are. So mabey I can give some insight for ya , if you're having an issue. If you have any questions about skin , body hair & Muscle care let me know, Here or through a PM. This is actually a field I am very Comfortable with.
Take Care guys