The scalp is the most absorbent part of our body. We eagerly wash,
moisturize, condition, straighten, add volume and shine to our hair, which is
why choosing genuinely green hair care should certainly be at the top of
your priority list. However, beware of the word "organic" on the
label of mainstream products, more often than not we see an ingredient
like, aloe-vera on the label that only (believe it or not) accounts for 1 percent of
the product. Reading labels is so important and what we all can start
learning is in-deed; the bulk of the shampoo is what truly matters for the
health of our hair. The quality of detergents and amount of emollients (oils)
both have to be derived without the use of toxic chemicals process. While we love the idea of an all-natural shampoo containing herbs, oils and botanical ingredients. Mainstream "herbal" shampoos just can't do that for us. Many mainstream shampoo products found in Wal-mart, Shoppers Drug Mart, Wal-greens and many others, exaggerate about the claims to be a natural product. They contain harsh detergents, preservatives and petroleum derived silicones. The very nature of detergent itself interferes with the scalps natural barrier function and makes it even easier for chemicals to penetrate the scalp... We all know what is underneath our scalp don't we?
If you’re looking at the ingredient list most often you'll find sodium laureth sulfate and its milder companion, laureth sulfate. Both have actually been questioned as cancer-causing ingredients although the cosmetic industry has declared them 'safe" for use. One of the greenest available cleansing agents is laurly glucoside which is a soapy blend of coconut oil, corn starch and sugar, but isn't frequently used because of its higher price.
So what should you be using?
While humectants and emollients in shampoos are a nice touch, they make very little difference because they are simply washed off too quickly. Still, vegetable glycerin, aloe extract, jojoba oil, honey and lecithin make shampoo nourishing as they fill in the pores of the hair shaft and keep the hair surface smooth and soothe and moisturize the scalp. Many organic brands offer concentrated shampoos with little added water which makes it very economical; this eliminates the need for strong preservatives. Grapefruit seed oil, wheat germ oil vitamin A, C, E and benzoin extract act as natural preservatives in these shampoos.
How often should you wash?
It depends on the state of your hair, if your hair is fine and dry, daily shampooing even with the mildest product can increase dryness. If you you spend a lot of time in the sun or wear a lot of styling products shampooing everyday-to-every other day is recommended. By taking a look at the condition of your hair you should act accordingly. However, be aware of frequent amount of washes, which, can make your hair brittle dry and prone to split ends; especially with hard water.
Woman of color should shampoo once a week since it is much harder to retain the little oils our scalp produces in our scalp due to the kinks and coils of our hair texture. If you work out often or simply just presepire a lot in in your scalp 2 times a week is recommended.
Next post: A list of green shampoos and non-green shampoos that may help in retaining moisture and your scalp natural oils
