Are you curious about the ingredients in your hair dye?
Do you pick up the box at your local supermarket and question the chemicals that are seemingly challenging to pronounce?
How about questioning your hairstylist?
We are all guilty of just buying what is on the shelves and never questioning if it will be of potential harm to our bodies.
But that has to change, let’s dive in.
Black Curly Hair Products can be Harmful
A study done by the Battle Memorial Institute and Silent Spring Institute in 2018, concluded that many harmful chemicals can be found in hair products targeted toward black women and children.
The hair products tested contained 45 endocrine disrupting or asthma-associated chemicals.
Also, the EWG or Environmental working group found the less than 25% of cosmetics marketed to black women scored low for hazardous ingredients in their Skin Deep Database.
As the US significantly trails the EU in banning many of the toxic chemicals found in cosmetics, we outlined a few ingredients to be mindful of when you pick up a box of hair dye:
Parabens
Studies have shown that Parabens cause severe allergies, skin irritation and are an endocrine disruptor.
Parabens do not belong in your hair products.
As many become more aware of this particular chemical globally, there are more products on the market that are paraben-free.
Ammonia
Do you ever dread opening a bottle of hair dye because of that horrible smell and your eyes water immediately?
Yes, that smell would be ammonia which may cause:
- Itchy scalp
- Skin Irritation
- Throat Irritation
- Burning sensation in the lungs
Phthalates
Phthalates are used to soften plastics and as solvents in cosmetics.
They can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system.
Pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers are the most vulnerable.
Formaldehyde
According to the CDC, formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, strong smell and is used in certain manufactured wood products such as cabinets, furniture, plywood, particleboard, and laminate flooring.
Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen. It has been linked to cancer and causes skin irritation.
How to Review Product Ingredients for Safety
Lastly, always read the labels of hair dye and do a quick search one of the following cosmetics databases for a more in-depth review of ingredients to avoid.
It’s your turn
Leave a comment and let us know what products you stopped using because they had harmful ingredients or if you checked them out EWG Skin Deep and didn’t like what you found.
1 comment
Can I use clairol on my hair to cover my gray now I use curl mix I’m concerned
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