Hair Care

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Intro paragraph

Sulfates
(Sulfates help create the lather and bubbles in some shampoos)

Purpose: Shampoo lather

Commonly found in: Shampoos

Side effects: Skin and eye irritation, frizzy hair

Some of the most common surfactants (surface acting agents):

Ammonium lauryl sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)

Parabens (Formaldehyde)

Purpose: Preservative

Commonly found in: Shampoos, conditioners, chemical hair straighteners, hair smoothers (keratin treatments)

Side effects: Skin irritation, suspected hormone disruption and possible carcinogens

 

Formaldehyde
Multiple-use chemical that you may find in products across many industries. It’s sometimes referred to as:
Methylene glycol
Formalin

 

 

Silicones
Typically colorless oils /rubberlike substances / heat resistant

Purpose: Preservative

Commonly found in: Shampoos and conditioners

Side effects: Skin irritation, suspected hormone disruption and possible carcinogens

Types of Silicones:
Water-soluble silicones: These can be easily washed out of the hair with water, making them less likely to build up.
Non-water-soluble silicones: These do not dissolve in water and can accumulate on the hair over time if not thoroughly cleansed, potentially leading to buildup.
Evaporating silicones: Often found in leave-in products, these silicones evaporate after application, leaving minimal residue on the hair.

Some common types of silicones found in hair care products are:
Dimethicone
Phenyl trimethicone
Cyclomethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane
Cyclohexasiloxane

Silicone can build up with repeated use. It seals your hair cuticles in a layer that prevents moisture access, meaning your hair can actually dry out over time. Silicone can also weigh your hair down and flatten curls.

 

Coal Tar

Purpose: Product coloration

Commonly found in: Hair gels and dyes

Side effects: Cancer

Coal tar is used to dye all kinds of cosmetics. It’s a petroleum byproduct — specifically from coal processing — and like many petroleum products, it is a possible carcinogen that can contribute to the development of cancer in the lungs, digestive tract, kidneys and bladder at high concentrations. Coal tar can also contain other known carcinogens.

Because of its nature as a carcinogen, Canada and most of Europe banned coal tar for use. However, it’s still a legal additive for products in the United States.

 

Coal Tar

Purpose: Product coloration

Commonly found in: Hair gels and dyes

Side effects: Cancer

Coal tar is used to dye all kinds of cosmetics. It’s a petroleum byproduct — specifically from coal processing — and like many petroleum products, it is a possible carcinogen that can contribute to the development of cancer in the lungs, digestive tract, kidneys and bladder at high concentrations. Coal tar can also contain other known carcinogens.

Because of its nature as a carcinogen, Canada and most of Europe banned coal tar for use. However, it’s still a legal additive for products in the United States.

 


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