Change A Bad Hair Day To A Good One…!
What ingredients to avoid in hair products? Have you been pondering on this topic every now and then? We are here with the exact answers. Of Course, there is so much exciting history of hair care on the way!!
Keep reading!!
Brief History: Haircare
- The Ancient Chinese washed their hair with Cedrela-an aromatic plant.
- Whereas, in Ancient Egypt, people used to shave their hair off to get rid of hair lice. Rather they would wear wigs. Almond oil was their conditioner of choice. These wigs were later washed with citrus juice that would help in dissolving the oils.Â
- While the Romans and Greeks used vinegar to wash their hair. (It is still one of the most useful home remedies for good hair and scalp health.) They would use olive oil as a conditioner.
Middle Ages, Europe, and Hair Care
- It is a well-known fact that during the Middle Ages- in Europe, people did not like to take baths. They would rather wash their hair using different herb-infused water like thyme, licorice, mint, parsley, rosemary, and nettles to name a few. Reed root, willow root, and elm bark will be boiled with water and later used to wash hair.
- In Italy, vinegar, animal fats, lye soap, and licorice were also used to wash and condition the hair.
- The 17th and 18th Centuries saw a huge wave of wigs everywhere. They were present in different colors and sizes. The higher the wig, the greater the status. These wigs were mostly made out of human hair, but sometimes they were also made with animal hair.
- It was during the Victorian era, that doctors stressed the importance of taking a daily bath. The health benefits are too many to count. Victorians would dilute pure ammonia in warm water and use it as shampoo. This would also lighten their hair tone, which added class to their overall look. Decidedly, it was among the earliest uses of bleach.
When was First Shampoo invented anyway?
When was the First Commercial Shampoo made?
What Ingredients To Avoid In Hair Products?
1. Parabens
2. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
3. Sulfates
4. Retinol
Retinol is present in hair-growth products and serums. It increases cellular turnover. If used for long, it may lead to scaly patches or dandruff-like effects on the scalp. In addition to this, they may irritate the skin in terms of itching, dryness, and redness. Retinol may contribute to reproductive and developmental toxicity. So, it is better to avoid it during pregnancy.
5. Fragrances
No matter how pleasant-smelling, your shampoo or conditioner is, it must ring a bell LOUD enough to wake up the entire neighborhood.
Whenever purchasing a haircare product, check whether the fragrance is all-natural or not.
Quite sadly, the companies are not legally entitled to mention what exactly goes into the making of Synthetic Fragrances or Parfum.
More than 95% of synthetic fragrances come from petrochemicals. Fragrances increase the UV-sensitivity and skin irritation. They may lead to hives, itching, dermatitis, and redness.
6. Phthalates
These are some of the hidden ingredients in fragrances. Although, banned by toy companies but are still used freely in haircare products. They are carcinogenic in nature.
7. Triclosan
It is an antimicrobial agent in self-care products but it has ties to hormonal imbalance and skin irritation.
8. Synthetic Colors
Some of the synthetic colors used in hair-coloring agents and dyes got banned by European Union. These include FD&C Blue1 and D&C Red 27. They may result in ADHD in children. Whereas, cancer, and skin irritation in adults. They comprise petroleum or coal derivatives.
9. Preservatives
Undoubtedly, used to increase the shelf life of hair care products but they do more harm than benefit. Commonly used haircare product preservatives like Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and Methylisothiazolinone(MI) are skin irritants and trigger an allergic reaction.
In order to minimize their harmful impacts, they are being used in low concentrations and are being skipped altogether from leave-on products. So, do watch out for them in your hairsprays, hair dyes, shampoos, and conditioners.
10. Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
It is present in most of the permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes that are either present in saloons or drugstores.
PPD is the most common cause of allergic reactions to hair dyes. It can most likely cause cancer and acute toxicity.
11. Silicones
They are hydrophobic or water-hater in nature. It means that with time they build up on the hair, weighing it down, coating, and blocking the hair follicle. This results in hair breaking. In this way, the hair loses its luster and strength.
12. Toluene
It is a petrochemical derived from coal tar or petroleum sources. In hair care products, it is labeled as toluol, benzene, or phenyl methane. Toluene is present in hair dyes and bleaching agents. Pregnant ladies shall not use it, as it may cause mutations in the fetus. It is bad for the lungs, is a skin allergen, and may cause nausea.
13. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde along with its derivatives is present in hair care products like shampoo and conditioner to stop any bacterial growth. On the contrary, it weakens the immune system and may cause nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer.
14. Mineral Oil
Also listed as Paraffin, Liquid Paraffin, Liquid Petrolatum, Paraffin Wax, Petroleum, and White Petroleum.
And like Silicones, it is also hydrophobic and coats the scalp resulting in hair loss. It builds upon the scalp and coats the hair. It does not leave the hair that easily. Additionally, it results in acne breakouts, itching, redness, and rashes.
15. Coal Tar
Evidently, many hair dyes have got coal tar in them. They have many trace elements and metals that are carcinogenic and may result in brain damage.
Takeaway
Since hair acts as a crown for us. We need to look good inside out taking care of our hair. Now you know very well, what ingredients to avoid in hair products!! Do your thorough research and then set your hands on any hair product. Better still, go all natural!! Just like old times!:)