Ok so I am always careful with my shampoos since I have fine hair (Im not balding either but my head is not exactly as covered as Shakira's), and I've never minded spending a couple extra bucks to make sure I have a gentle, good quality shampoo that leaves my hair clean but it is not too harsh on my scalp.
So lately I was happy I had found the french brand Klorane, which costs a bit more (11 euro, 14.25 dlls) than regular shampoos, can only be bought in drugstores, seemed quite natural in terms of their ingredient list and leaves my hair really clean and soft. So I thought it was all good, until towards the end of my first bottle I started shedding, much more than I would normally shed. So I took a closer look at the ingredient list and researched a bit on the internet, and there it was:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate.
What are SLES & SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)?
Turns out the stuff is a harsh chemical detergent which is commonly added on shampoos because it is very effective to remove dirt, it foams a lot and is very inexpensive.
It is so strong it is used to clean motor engines and in larges quantities it is used in laboratories to break up DNA. Even when it's 'FDA approved' in small quantities ($$$), the stuff really penetrates skin and flows through your bloodstream.
This stuff has been proved to cause: depression, eye damage, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, corrosion and death." According to the American College of Toxicology states both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research has indicated SLS is damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin.
Skin layers exposed to the substance separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. [
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It is possibly the most dangerous of all ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which cause the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate-contaminated food." According to the American College of Toxicity report,"SLS stays in the body for up to five days..." Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste." [
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This stuff is also in your toothpaste
Now this stuff is not only probably in your shampoo right now,
but also in your toothpaste! That's right, you been ingesting it all along and scientific research has proved that
long-term oral exposure increased tumor appearances in both humans and rats. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease registry states that long-term skin exposure mainly effects the liver and the kidney with links to cancer. [
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So now that I just made the mistake of buying my second bottle of Klorane which I have sitting in my tub brand new I am struggling to find a good shampoo that is sulfate free. After hours of research I have found Kiehl’s Superbly Smoothing Argan which contains Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate as an alternative, which is supposed to be much less dangerous for your health compared to SLS and SLES. It might be a bit more expensive, might not foam as much, and it might not leave my hair squeeky clean (which can also be a good sign since a healthy natural shampoo should not strip away all of the natural oils in your hair), but I'd rather take care of my hair and health than save a couple of bucks while I head myself for some 'fun' tumors and cancer.
