Common chemicals found in shampoo are:
 Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS)
and more
Most regular shampoos and most of the "natural" shampoos advertised will contain one of these chemical additives as one of its top ingredients.
Other ingredients found in shampoo often include:
DEA or Diethanolamine
and Propylene Glycol
 These compounds are used as detergents, surfactants and foaming agents, and can be found in almost any kind of industrial cleaning product. They are also widely used as major ingredients in cosmetics, hair conditioners, toothpaste and shampoos.
There has been a lot of industry publicity about the safety of SLS, SLES, and ALS. Here are the facts from several sources including the 'Alert Bulletin' by the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review), the expert panel used by the CTFA (Cosmetics, Toiletries, & Fragrance Association):
| Skin & Eye Irritant |
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"The Panel wishes to point out that these two ingredients (SLS & ALS) produce eye and/or skin irritation in experimental animals and in some human test subjects ...."
The panel then quotes from the 1983 JACT report ('Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate', Journal of the American College of Toxicology, Vol. 2 #7, 1983) "...the longer the ingredients stay in contact with the skin, the greater the likelihood of irritation, which may or may not be evident to the user ... (SLS).... causes severe epidermal changes to the area of the skin of mice to which it was applied. The two problems - possible hair loss -- along with proven irritancy should be considered in the formulation of cosmetic products."
SLS is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart, and liver, which may result in harmful long-term effects. SLS could retard healing, cause cataracts in adults, and keep children’s eyes from developing properly. In fact, studies have shown that washing your hair one time with a shampoo containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate could put as many nitrates into your bloodstream as eating a whole pound of bacon. And that is just ONE application.
SLES is "Contaminated with a very potent carcinogen Dioxane, and is very easily absorbed through the skin", states Dr. Epstein. SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. Both SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other product ingredients.
| Ulcers and More |
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Another research paper shows that SLS has protein-denaturing properties, causing skin to separate and become inflamed. ('Denaturation of Epidermal Keratin by Surface Active Agents', Journal Invest Dermatology, 32-81; 1959.) It is this property that may leave mucous membranes in the mouth open to microscopic damage. SLS has been shown to contribute to mouth and gastrointestinal ulcers ('Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and recurrent aphthous ulcers- a Preliminary Study' - ACTA Odontol Scan, 52, 1994: pp 257-259 and 'The Effect of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers.')
Shampoos contain far more components than just surfactants. There are usually other synthetic chemicals used as preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners, colour additives and foam boosters. In some cases, a residue may accumulate, referred to in the trade as "build-up.” This has resulted in introduction of specialty shampoos claiming to eliminate the social horror of limp, sticky and dull hair.
Ideally, a shampoo should smooth down the cuticle. This is achieved by the inclusion of other ingredients such as Glycerol or Propylene glycol, which are also used as the active ingredients in antifreeze for radiators. Propylene glycol [PG] is also used as a solvent in acrylics, stains, inks and dyes, and in cellophane and brake fluid. Propylene glycol can penetrate into the skin and cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage according to Material Safety Data Sheets. PG can have an anaesthetic effect.
Other side effects on animals exposed to PG include heart arrhythmia, stunted growth, decreased blood pressure, and even death. Propylene glycol is a highly toxic substance and is a cause of a significant number of reactions and a primary irritant to the skin even in low levels of concentrations. Some of its adverse effects include dermatitis, kidney and liver abnormalities and it has been shown to inhibit skin cell growth and damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage to the skin.
Because of the many unhealthy side effects of chemical shampoos, a number of companies realized that "natural" had a good ring to it, and has since become a buzzword used by the companies trying to exploit the niche market of natural products. ‘Natural’ implies wholesomeness and environmental friendliness. Yet, major companies anxious to tap into the natural products market are now scrambling to produce "natural" shampoos, hair dyes, and skin care products. These so-called "natural" products are primarily composed of synthetic chemicals mixed with some natural ingredients.
The result is that many shampoos, including "natural" shampoos, sold today, are potentially harmful to the body, skin, and hair. Your best chances of protecting yourself today are to educate yourself about the products you use, to keep informed, and especially to READ LABELS and ingredient lists. |
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