The biggest contributor by far to hair damage is the act of shampooing. Eliminating this practice is obviously not the solution, however! Understanding how and why it damages your hair makes it easier to reduce the negative effects. We are a nation of frequent shampooers; the average number of weekly shampoos a week has risen to five with more than 40% of women shampooing daily. In addition, the act of shampooing, which includes vigorous massaging and scrubbing with your fingers or scrubber, causes abrasion to hair when it is most vulnerable to damage. When washing, gently rub your scalp with the ball of your fingers in a circular motion. Water disrupts the hydrogen bond in hair, making it weaker than dry hair. Research shows that you hair is three times weaker when it is wet than when it is dry, making is much more vulnerable to stretching, breaking, and developing split ends. The combination of wet and tangled is a perfect setup for damage. So it is important to treat wet hair with extra TLC when combing and scrubbing. Do not comb your hair when it is wet, and only use large tooth combs and picks to put wet hair into place.
   
Be careful of using products that are not natural on the hair. Styling products, permanent waves and other chemicals cause severe damage by reducing and breaking disulfide bonds between protein amino acids (which help keep our hair strong). Allergic reactions to chemicals in many hair care products occur frequently. Always alternate your shampoos among several different all-natural shampoos that are pH-balanced. Most of the chemical-laden shampoos people use are partially responsible for hair damage. Foaming and cleansing agents known as "surfactants" some disguised under two names, "SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE" and "SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE." Unfortunately the commonly used foaming agent and emulsifier, sodium lauryl sulfate, is the harshest chemical. By mixing harsh shampooing with skin irritants the stage is set for not only unhealthy hair and scalp but an unhealthy skin condition as well. The second agent, sodium laureth sulfate, which is common in water softeners and baby shampoos, is a leading cause of dermatological problems such as dandruff, irritated skins, rashes, and inflamed skin itches. These abrasive chemicals overly strip hair of natural oils, setting up a cycle that dooms hair and scalp to dryness. Though hair may appear fuller and healthier this will not last for long. Dry hair soon weakens and breaks leaving you with less hair, dry and damaged ends that split, and a dry, flaky, and itchy scalp. Commonly present in most personal soaps and toothpaste, this cleanser is not only harsh on the hair but it is irritating to the scalp and skin. These chemicals are used in testing labs as a standard skin irritant to test the healing properties of other ingredients. Industrial uses for them include garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and car wash soaps. PROPYLENE GLYCOL is commonly found in baby wipes, lotions, cosmetics, facial creams, hair conditioners, and deodorants. Labeled as "humectant" in personal care products, this chemical is actually "industrial antifreeze" and a major ingredient in brake fluid, with warnings to avoid skin contact and health related cautions. DEA (diethanolamine) based cleansers are commonly found in shampoos, bubble baths, lotions, shower and bath gels, hand soaps, dishwashing and laundry soaps and other cleaners. For protection during shampooing, choose a vitamin or herbal shampoo and/or conditioner without harsh detergents or chemicals.

NEW!  Frederic Fekkai Beaute de Provence
Ironically, Frederic Fekkai is most famous for what he doesn't do: Follow fads, create "overdone" hair, or invent unnecessary products. Rather, Frederic is best known worldwide for his streamlined, common-sense approach to beauty and style. His philosophy: "The most simple and natural is the most beautiful."


Biolage Hair Conditioner by Matrix Essentials -- a harmonious blend of pure biological extracts and scientific ingredients that beautifies and restores hair.  This applies only to Biolage conditioners; avoid using the shampoos which have harsh chemical ingredients (found only in salons and Walmart Supercenter salons).

Mastey DeParis Products -- a pure and natural combination of essential vitamins, minerals, lipids, and amino acids along with a unique moisturizing factor to maintain the health and structure of hair (found in drug stores, salons, and Walmart).

Botanical Benefits Shampoos & Conditioners -- unique formulas that are free of harsh chemicals, with special blends of herbal extracts by Nature's Sunshine Products. These formulas are gentle on the hair as well as effectively beneficial to hair health and repair (available from NSP dealers and health food stores).

Nature's Gate Herbal Conditioner -- made from all natural ingredients, organic, pH balanced and biodegradable.

Safe and Effective Personal Care Products by Maximal Health. For more information about Hair Care Products free of harmful chemicals visit their web site.

Young Living Essential Oil's ROYAL ESSENTIALS Shampoos are made from the most natural products possible: vegetable oils and lecithin for lather, panthenol and panthetine to strengthen and feed the hair shaft, and herbal extracts to clean the hair and scalp. Selected essential oils carry the nutrients to the hair follicles and subdermal cells to improve hair texture as well as to protect the hair and scalp from exposure to chemicals, hair spray, permanents and coloring.

"Your Glory" Shampoo Bar - An all-natural, long-hair shampoo bar formulated from glycerin, jojoba, calendula, and pure essention oils and herbal extracts along with organic stabilizers makes this a super product that prevents shampoo buildup while nourishing the hair.  Available from Health for You Ministry.  

J.R. Liggett's Old Fashioned Shampoo Bar. Long lasting bar made entirely from pure 100% natural oils with no petroleum
based detergents, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, DEA, animal products or preservatives. It gives your hair body, and manageability and will not strip hair of its natural oils.
Soignée Botanicals Hair Products. Free from harsh chemicals and preservatives. Natural ingredients such as ASC-III, Liposomes, MSM, Essential Oils and Glycogen keep your hair and skin looking youthful and radiant.
For additional information on harsh chemicals visit Healthlinks

For additional information on harsh chemicals visit AwesomeHealth