What the heck is Sodium lauryl sulfate?

 Have you ever read the back of a shampoo bottle and wondered what the heck you were reading? I know I have. It's easy to get caught up in the promises of fuller, thicker, glossier hair but have you ever taken the time to find out if the ingredients are good for your hair? 

Knowing what's in your hair care products is one of the first steps in improving the health of your hair, using a leave-in that is full of alcohol is like a double negative if you're using it for the purpose of adding moisture to your hair. I want to give you all a list of some of the more popular ingredients and hopefully you can become better educated on what is best for your hair :)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- Drying detergent cleanser. May strip hair color by causing hair shaft to swell, increasing the chances of pigment being released. “Rumors were circulating at one time that sulfates were causing cancer. According to snopes.com, SLS does not cause cancer. But it can be an irritant if left on the skin” This is the ingredient that produces the bubbles and suds that we all love, but this is also the active ingredient used in engine degreasers, scary huh? It's ok as an occasional clarifying treatment but when used regularly it can damage and dry out your hair, definitely one to avoid.

Isopropyl/ Isopropyl alcohol- A ingredient that is used to cut the oil in your hair but it also strips it of some of the needed natural oils, its basically rubbing alcohol, which is extremely drying and damaging for your hair. 

Diethanolamine- Another popular cleaner and lather producer, its also used to produce a creamy or sudsy product. In low doses it's deemed safe but when paired with formaldehyde it can create nitrosamines which is a known carcinogen. Scary. 


Triethanolamine- Used to keep oil and water from separating in products but it can irritate the scalp and aggravate allergies . It can also  deplete the natural keratin in your hair which in turn causes your hair to become hard  and brittle


Propylene Glycol- Another common ingredient found in shampoos and beauty products, its used to keep the products from freezing during shipping and handling. Fun/Gross fact- It's also the antifreeze that we use in our cars. Delightful. 


Stay tuned for a list of shampoos that are actually good for your hair. :)

Natural hair is not for me

I have heard this statement several times and it always makes me pause; how can the hair you're born with not be for you? Now I know it's no walk in the park and for some people they prefer the manageability that chemical processes allow them but I would implore them to let go of those reservations and explore the options that come with having natural hair.

The first step to going natural is research, research, research. Why? If you don't know what your hair likes and what products are best them you will fall right back into the clutches of the creamy crack and the process will start all over again.  The research that you conduct should include finding out what curl pattern you have, Those with a coarser texture can create beautiful  locs, twists,braid outs and puffs. If you have a looser curl texture your hair may not be able to style your hair in the same manner, but that doesn't mean you can't rock a wash & go or a sleek curly ponytail.

The next step is deciding whether you want to go all out and do the big chop or transition into your natural hair; I wasn't brave enough to chop all my hair off so I went the slower route and transitioned but once again research, research, research! Find what's best for you before proclaiming that natural hair is not for you.

Natural Hair journey

Natural hair is something that has been gaining a lot of popularity over the last few years, it fell out of popularity in the 1980"s but if you rocked a natural fro in the 60's & 70's then not only were you making a political statement then you were also at the height of fashion. 

In this day and age its not quite a political statement but many people have found it to be an important change in their life. I chose this to be the focus of my blog because I believe that it is a lot more than just hair. Each week I will explore a different facet of hair care and hair styles and discuss some of the history of natural hair within the African-American community.