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What is
really in your body care?
Shampoos
are among the products most frequently cited in complaints by
consumers made to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is
important that you are fully informed of the ingredients used in Body
Care you and your family use daily, as well as their effects.
Generally, shampoos fit into three major categories at the retail
level; these are:
-
The
basic, over-the-counter brands
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The
more expensive Salon quality "fashion" brands
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Medically recommended brands
Most of
the shampoos fall in under the first two categories, and even some of
those found in category three are composed of about 40% Sodium Laurel
Sulfate (SLS), 40% Filtered water, and a medley of other synthetic
ingredients, often including diazodinyl urea (horse or human urine),
mineral oil (which is similar to a diluted form of turpentine), FD&C
Colorings, and Artificial Fragrances.
SLS (also known as Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or Sodium Laureth
Sulfate)
SLS is a
phosphate lathering agent added as an inexpensive way of reducing
surface tension in liquids such as water and oil. SLS serves as a
“sudsing agent”, and is commonly used in engine degreasers, car wash
soaps, and garage floor cleaners. It is also used as a major
ingredient in over 80% of the over the counter and fashion brand
shampoos. SLS is added not to get your hair cleaner, but only to
produce thick lather.
Research on SLS at a medical laboratory at the University of Tokyo has
determined it to be a “mutagen”, i.e., that it is capable of actually
changing the information and genetic material found in human cells
after prolonged use or exposure. For example, their studies have
shown that SLS ctually denatures protein, and human hair and skin are
highly composed of protein. SLS is routinely used in clinical studies
to deliberately irritate the skin so that the effects of other
substances can be tested for their efficiency. Modern testing is
proving time and time again that many ingredients used in personal
care products are not good for the body, skin, or hair.
SLS has several side effects. It has been documented to cause:
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Improper eye development in children affecting the protein structure
of the eye. Children under six are especially vulnerable
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Cataracts in adults and delays of healing wounds on the cornea
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Nitrate
absorption. Nitrates are known cancer causing agents
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Penetration and buildup in the heart, liver lungs and brain
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Flaking
and separation of the skin, causing substantial roughness
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Dysfunction of the biological systems of the skin
SLS is a caustic cleanser that actually corrodes the hair follicle and
impairs its ability to grow.
Furthermore, when SLS, Is combined with certain other synthetic
chemicals, it becomes a nitrosating agent, i.e., it produces harmful
nitrates, which can be absorbed into the body at potentially unsafe
levels with prolonged use. For example, when SLS is used in
combination with Diethanolamine (DEA, only one of the many chemicals
found in shampoo that causes this reaction), the nitrate absorption in
just two 8 ounce bottles is the same as that produced from eating ONE
POUND OF BACON. This is just when it reacts with one chemical, and
most shampoos contains more than one, which can increase the amount
you absorbed to ONE POUND of bacon’s worth or nitrates every time you
shampoo.
Check
your Body Care Products for the following nitrosating agents, when
combined with SLS, they become carcinogens, cancer causing agents:
2
bromo-2-nitropane-1,3- dial, Cocyl Sarcosine, Diethanolamine (DEA),
DEA with any other chemical. Imidazolidinyl Urea, Formaldehyde,
Hydrolyzed Animal Protein, Lauryl Sarcosine, Monethanolamine (MEA),
MEA with any other chemical, Quaternium 7,15,31,60, etc, Sodium Methyl
Cocoyl Taurate, Triethanolamine (TEA), and TEA with any other
chemical.
Many new Body Care companies who are claiming to be “All Natural” are
using sly wording and advertising techniques. You will read that SLS
is all natural from a coconut. It may start out as some form of a
coconut but it is then mixed and diluted with many toxic chemicals to
make it SLS. Be careful just because it originated from something
natural does not mean that it is still in that natural state.
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Propylene Glycol
This
common ingredient is found in many beauty creams, cleansers, and make
up. It is also found in children’s personal care products. The
American Academy of Dermatologists Inc. published a clinical review in
January 1991, which showed Propylene Glycol to cause a significant
number of reactions, and was a primary irritant to the skin even at
low levels of concentrations. It has been shown that Propylene
Glycol:
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Has
severe adverse side effects and has been found to cause contact
dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities
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Inhibits skin cell growth in tests on humans
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Damages
cell membranes, causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage to the
skin
The Material Safety Data Sheet for Propylene
Glycol clearly states to “AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN.” In the industrial
world Propylene Glycol is used in:
Anti freeze, brake and hydraulic fluid, airplane
deicer, paints and coatings, floor wax, portable water systems,
swimming pool products, liquid laundry detergent, pet food, and
tobacco products.
Diazolidinyl Urea or Imidiazolinyl Urea
Derived
from horse and/or human urine. Research shows that it can damage skin
function, causing thinning of the top layer of the epidermis (skin)
and causes changes in the skin when used in high concentrations. May
also release formaldehyde.
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Alcohol is derived from Spermaceti. Spermaceti is a wax derived
from the head of a Sperm Whale, can become easily rancid and causes
skin irritations, contact eczema, and has a low toxicity.
Methyl Paraben
Methyl
Paraben – Methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate is a cellular toxin used as a cheap
preservative that can cause allergic reactions.
Propylparaben
Propylparaben – Propyl-p-hydroxybenzoate is also a cellular toxin,
also used as a cheap preservative that can cause contact dermatitis.
It is irritating to the skin in formulations higher than 5%, and many
commercial products contain higher amounts than this.
Reference:
A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients
Beauty to Die For, The Cosmetic Consequence
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Please Note: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific
health claim for
any products. Any attempt to diagnose and treat illness should come
under the
direction of your health care practitioner.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease.
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