I didn’t realise how toxic washing my hair actually was.
I always thought the steam and hot water from the shower would wash away the many chemicals in shampoo products and that would be the end of it!
But ignorance is bliss. After doing a lot of research, I now know that shampoo is a toxic storm and terrible for your health and immune system. This is because the natural oils in hair (produced by the immune system) actually act as a protective layer on the scalp and washing these oils away frequently, leaves the skin more vulnerable to absorbing toxins in shampoo.
The problem was that the more I washed my hair, the more I NEEDED to wash it. Each time I was stripping away natural oils, and just like when you cleanse your skin with chemical products, the body tries to replenish with more oil. When my hair is too oily it becomes flat, dull and lifeless and the only way to resurrect my luscious locks is to wash it again.
But, the less you wash the better for your overall health. Plus, who has time to wash their hair every day, then blow dry and add styling products? I am late for work just thinking about it!
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How can shampooing be bad for my immune system?
Most commercial shampoo and conditioners contain toxic ingredients; in fact there are 12 really toxic ingredients in most of them. Here are just a few that are found in everyday shampoo:
Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfate
A known skin irritant and is also found in carpet cleaners, stain removers, pesticides and laundry detergent. Anything used to remove stains is potent and harsh and when it’s chemical-based, it’s a recipe for disaster. Not only is this ingredient bad for your health, it’s also a pollutant and toxic to fish and other aquatic animals.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Supposedly “natural” and derived from coconuts, this ingredient was voted “allergen of the year” in 2004 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. 14 years on and it’s still used in hair and body products.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
And these are just a few. Other chemicals include Fragrances, Triclosan, Polysorbates, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride and Quaternium-15, the latter being a preservative that the European Union has deemed unsafe
So imagine you wash your hair, sometimes even twice, in hot water and steam then rinse it off and it runs all over your body. It’s the perfect environment for the toxins to be absorbed straight into your body and scalp. Multiply that by 4 days per week or even 7 and you’re massively increasing your body’s toxic load. By this I mean your liver and kidneys are saying “Polyethylene Glycol … hasn’t that been linked to cancer? Quick let’s work overtime to get it out of here!”
I first heard about dry shampoo several years ago. Although the benefits were appealing to me, it was the harsh chemicals that kept me at bay. Many of the dry shampoos made by big brands use powders like Talc as the active ingredient.
Talc does a good job of absorbing moisture, however long term use of Talc has been under investigation to have an increased risk of cancers including lung cancer (from inhalation) and ovarian cancer (for women who use talc in nether regions)1. I simply wasn’t prepared to use a product with attached health risks just for the convenience of less hair washing.
Many dry shampoos still come in a spray can and that means something like Butane, Propane or Isobutane is needed to make it spray. These things are highly toxic to your body!
Benzene is a toxic chemical found in many common products, including aerosol dry shampoos. Benzene is a known carcinogen that can cause serious health problems over time. Despite this fact, many popular brands of dry shampoo still contain high levels of benzene, putting consumers at risk every time they use these products. In fact, several aerosol dry shampoos have recently been recalled due to their high levels of benzene and other potentially dangerous chemicals.
Why is benzene so bad for your health? In short, it causes damage to your DNA, which can lead to a number of serious health issues including damage to the central nervous system, and respiratory problems, it can also impair the body's immune system and makes it more prone to disease and infection. Benzene can be especially harmful to children and pregnant women, as it can interfere with normal brain development and disrupt hormone levels.
You should avoid using any aerosol dry shampoo products that contain benzene or other harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, Benzene is less expensive than many other chemical alternatives, making it an appealing choice for many manufacturers. However, given the serious risks associated with Benzene exposure, we should all be doing our best to avoid this toxic chemical whenever possible. Whether that means refusing to use products that contain Benzene or urging lawmakers to crack down on its use in consumer products, we all have a role to play in reducing Benzene exposure for ourselves and our families.
Enter natural, non-toxic dry shampoo
Thankfully, there are Benzene Free Dry Shampoo natural options available that offer all the same benefits without any of the harmful additives. One such product is Black Chicken Remedies Natural Dry Shampoo, this unique product contains a powerful blend of natural ingredients that work together to absorb excess oil, leaving your hair looking healthy, thicker, and more voluminous. Some key ingredients in this amazing dry shampoo include bamboo powder, which acts as an absorbent that also gives your hair volume, fossil shell powder, which contains silica and is great for your hair, clary sage, which regulates sebum production and helps to fight dandruff and an itchy scalp, and rosemary, which stimulates hair growth and prevents premature greying. Whether you are dealing with oily or damaged hair or an itchy scalp or slow hair growth, this innovative dry shampoo can help to give you the head of hair that you have always dreamed of. Unlike many mainstream dry shampoos, Black Chicken Remedies Natural Dry Shampoo isn't filled with nasty chemicals or artificial fragrances.
So if you're looking for a safe and effective alternative to conventional dry shampoo formulas, look no further than Black Chicken Remedies Natural Dry Shampoo!
How is Black Chicken Remedies Dry Shampoo different?
"For a while I’d been thinking about creating a healthy version of dry shampoo, with ingredients that would nourish my hair and not cause any harm to the body. I also wanted to reduce the amount of chemicals I was using on my hair through regular washing.
There’s really no need for using toxic ingredients in hair products. Natural ingredients work just as well and are so much better for us. Our Dry Shampoo is made with all natural and non-toxic ingredients including Corn Starch, Bamboo Powder, Tapioca Powder and essential oils of Rosemary and Clary Sage.
I spent a lot of time researching and testing what would work best and nourish my hair at the same time. And as an added benefit, it also smells divine. If you haven’t yet experienced the benefits of dry shampoo, here are my top reasons why you should try dry…" Chey - Black Chicken Remdies Founder & CEO xx
Check out our 10 reasons as to why it’s good for your hair and health!
1. Less shampoo equals healthier hair
Have you ever looked at the ingredients list on the back of a shampoo bottle? Most shampoos use agents such as Ammonium Chloride, Glycol or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate along with a host of other chemicals to create a foamy lather when mixed with water. The more often you wash, the more chemicals you are feeding your hair. Over time this will damage your hair and scalp. Sometimes this leads to dry hair, premature greying, dandruff and a dry, itchy scalp. The best way to combat these issues is to limit the use of conventional shampoos.
2. Dry shampoo helps regulate oil production
Although washing your hair leaves it looking and feeling clean and fresh, we all know this is temporary. After a few days, your hair becomes oily once more and requires washing again. It’s natural for your hair to be slightly oily, but dry shampoo allows you to manage the amount of oil and increase the time between washes.
3. Dry shampoo is convenient and saves time
It takes less than a minute to apply and you don’t need water! In fact you don’t even need to shower and you can use it anywhere. Keep it in your gym bag to apply after a workout and you can simply style and go. Save time getting ready for work and social outings by removing the dreaded hair-wash and blow-dry routine.
4. Dry shampoo adds volume and texture to your hair
The natural powders used will add volume to your hair. Just use your fingers to create texture and style. This is particularly good for thin and fine hair which tends to fall flat especially when on the oily side. The Bamboo adds lift and volume while Silica (contained in Diatomaceous Earth Powder) helps improve damaged hair and soothes irritated scalps. Use it as a styling product and create beautiful do’s.
“It’s natural for your hair to be slightly oily, but dry shampoo allows you to manage the amount of oil and increase the time between washes.”
5. Dry shampoo can deliver nutrients to your hair
Our Dry Shampoo is a great way to treat your hair to plant-based nutrients and essential oils including rosemary and clary sage. Use as a ‘leave-in’ treatment and as often as you like to help keep your locks as healthy as possible.
6. Dry shampoo can help prevent premature hair greying
By eliminating chemicals, your hair will stay healthier and naturally vibrant for longer. We have used Rosemary essential oil, well known to nourish the scalp and hair follicles, helping to stimulate hair growth and prevent premature greying.
7. Decreases the effect of heat damage
After washing your hair, what’s the first thing you do? Blow dry, often followed by flat ironing or curling. Excessive heat creates damaged, irreparable ends. By extending your time between washes you reduce the need for heat to dry your hair after washing, taking the pressure off your hair and scalp.
8. Dry shampoo is travel friendly
Our dry shampoo comes in powder form so perfectly safe to take with you in carry-on bags and suitcases. It’s light and easy to carry around every day. It’s the perfect hair product to take to warmer climates with high humidity to keep oil and grease away.
9. Dry shampoo allows you to be more active without having to wash your hair
One of the things I love about dry shampoo is that I can exercise without having to factor in extra time to wash my hair after a workout. Which means I can exercise more… win-win!
10. Natural dry shampoo can treat hair lice
That’s right! We use a safe and natural ingredient called diatomaceous earth, which is hailed as a natural pesticide. It’s used in a range of food and home-care products, it’s non-toxic and it’s proven effective in killing small insects including lice!
Try dry shampoo for yourself
To apply, just separate hair into sections and sprinkle the powder onto your scalp. Gently massage for up to one minute and comb or brush out any excess powder through the length of your hair if required.
Say goodbye greasy hair, and hello pine fresh locks!
