Five Hair Products to Avoid: Tips from Eco Beauty Salon
People are often surprised to learn that products used in the hair industry are not as regulated as cosmetic consumer products. Sneaky labeling can hide chemical ingredients that are known carcinogens, hormone disruptors, and more. Ask your salon and lead the labels. Here are five hair product ingredients to avoid:
Ammonia
Many hair colors use this harsh chemical as a pH adjustor to open the cuticles of the hair for the pigment to take hold. Because of its corrosive nature, too much exposure to ammonia can lead to damage in the skin, eyes, lungs, liver, and kidneys. If both the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization label ammonia as a toxic substance, it’s probably a good idea to switch to ammonia-free products. Oway and O&M are two examples of brands that feature healthier ammonia-free color. (Eco Beauty Salon carries both and more.)
Formaldehyde
Even though many companies have removed this known cancer-causing chemical from their ingredients list, some companies still include formaldehyde in their products in the form of methylene glycol, which is formaldehyde mixed with water. The problem is that heating tools such as flat irons or blow dryers release the formaldehyde from the methylene glycol. Steer clear of products with either name on the label.
PEGs aka polyethylene glycols
Many cosmetic and hair products contain these synthetic petrochemicals, and the higher percentage of these PEGs used in a product, the easier it makes it for other harmful chemicals to penetrate the skin. Beware: The closer PEGs are to the top of the ingredients list, the higher percentage of PEGs is in that product.
4 Synthetic Fragrance
This seemingly innocent ingredient name covers nearly 5,000 additional chemicals, and the FDA does not require companies to disclose which specific chemical their synthetic fragrance ingredients are. This often means that benzene, styrene, phthalates, petroleum, and other chemicals that mimic hormones and disrupt normal body functions may all be hiding under the “synthetic fragrance” label legally. Products that instead use natural ingredients and essential oils for their fragrance are much better ingredients that not only smell great but have great health benefits to them as well.
PPD aka paraphenelyndiamine
PPD is a pigment chemical some people may be highly sensitive to, so ask your hair stylist for a patch test to be done 48-72 hours before your hair color appointment to make sure your skin can tolerate the hair color formula. You can also ask your stylist if they have any low-PPD or even PPD-free color options available.
Owner Dally Khourshid always promotes safer, more eco-friendly options at
Eco-Beauty Salon. They offer a wide array of hair services including healthier
alternatives to conventional hair products. Take advantage of their Summer
Special: $20 OFF services for new clients! Located in East Orlando (448 S. Alafaya
Trail, #14, Orl 32828), appts can be made online or 407-704-3147.
Find the salon at www.ecobeautyorlando.com or on Instagram@ecobeauty_orlando.
