Keratin Treatments May Blow Out More Than Your Hair

Damaged hair requires natural healing

Keratin hair treatments have been around for more than a few years now. Many people have raved over its miraculous ability to straighten all types of hair. Apparently kinky, damaged, colored or otherwise distressed hair is no match for the Keratin treatments. And since Keratin is a naturally occurring protein these treatments have been regarded on some occasions as being a natural product. Women from around the country and the world have lined up to get this “natural” straightening marvel as the answer to their "hair hell" prayers. This marvel, however, is often little more than a cleverly marketed deception.

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment, as it is formally known, will cost you anywhere between $150 to $800 USD in a salon and is reported to last approximately 3-4 months. The claim of the Keratin treatment system is that the Keratin protein is responsible for the straightening action but there is another ingredient of great concern at work. That ingredient is Formaldehyde. Recently the U.S. government added Formaldehyde to the list of substances known to cause cancer (refer to my posts from 6/12/11 and 6/16/11 for more regarding Formaldehyde). Many experts believe that it is the Formaldehyde doing most of the heavy lifting as it relates to straightening.

The use of Formaldehyde and its parent chemicals Aldehyde and Aldehyde Salts (more on these in a bit) pose immediate and long term risk to the client, beautician/stylist, and by-standing customers and visitors. When the Keratin treatment is applied it is heated vaporizing some of the formaldehyde allowing it to be taken directly into the lungs. The potential for respiratory distress from the vapors is increased with each inhalation and could be felt immediately or develop over time. In addition, the formaldehyde applied to hair that is not vaporized breaks down over time and can be absorbed through the scalp and skin . The Cosmetic Ingredient Expert review panel has set the “safe” limit (as safe as a poison can be) at .2%. Test were initiated by Allure Magazine on some Keratin treatment products and found 10 times the recommended “safe” amount of Formaldehyde in them. In 2010 the Oregon OSHA and Oregon Health and Sciences University found that one popular treatment called Brazilian Blowout Solution contained 8% Formaldehyde while the company’s website insisted their product was Formaldehyde free.

Splitting Hairs (pun intended)

Many Keratin treatment producers have caught on that their customers do not want Formaldehyde in the products they buy. These companies also know that their products will not work nearly as well without Formaldehyde. What is a company to do? Some have chosen deception for the sake of profit. The deception goes like this: Step 1 - Remove the Formaldehyde to make the product more desirable. Step 2 - Add an Aldehyde or Aldehyde salt to achieve straightening ability. Step 3 - Advertise to the public your product is Formaldehyde free...brilliant! Unfortunately the same potential adverse health effects exist. Aldehyde is the parent chemical of Formaldehyde and possesses the same inherent dangers. Dubious and devious, indeed.

Consumer beware. Straightening your hair should not be detrimental to your health. Seek trustworthy companies that make safe products or seek to go natural. Choose wisely and be sure to tip your stylist (by tip I mean share this post with them).

Damaged hair requires natural healing

Sources:

http://www.orosha.org/pdf/Final_Hair_Smoothing_Report.pdf

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/brazilian-keratin-hair-treatment-product-linked-to-formaldehyde

http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/retexturizing/post-keratin-treatment-methods

http://www.carolina.com/category/teacher%20resources/material%20data%20safety%20sheets%20(msds)/msds-%20a-c/acetic%20aldehyde.do

Formaldehyde is not for the Living: Part 2

Flawless cosmetics without poisonous ingredients

Formaldehyde is an extremely nasty substance. At just 0.1 parts per million, which is not very much, it can cause eye irritation and significant breathing problems. If a person is asthmatic formaldehyde can be a nightmare triggering an asthma response without ever being fingered as the culprit. Continued exposure has caused cancer in animals and has long been regarded to cause cancer in humans. Studies of mortuary workers have revealed an increase in rare nasal cancers after being exposed to high levels of formaldehyde.
Does anyone remember the FEMA trailers used after Hurricane Katrina? After many complaints and hospitalizations of the occupants the trailers were all but abandoned with some choosing to live on the street instead of the trailers. Why? Formaldehyde was making the people sick causing a plethora of medical conditions. If the hurricane didn’t get them then the formaldehyde did.

The Chemical Industry
As you can imagine the chemical industry is incensed. There is nothing wrong with formaldehyde they say. This will cost American jobs they say. The science does not bear out the findings they say. Interestingly in 1999 the Canadian government, using science, labeled formaldehyde a toxic substance. And to this date many European nations have completely banned the use of formaldehyde based on scientific studies. It seems the only science the chemical industry likes is their own manipulated version (which is not science) with all other science being wrong. As far as jobs are concerned the job market in the European nations did not collapse do to the banning of this toxin.

Reducing exposure
There isn’t much a person can do about their work environment or the home that is already built. However, what follows are some things you can do now and in the future to avoid formaldehyde:
1. Avoid all personal care products that contain formaldehyde. Look at nail polish and any other nail care product. Also pay attention to all hair treatments and conditioners.
2. If you are having a new home built be sure the material used are labeled as U.L.E.F. (ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde), N.A.F. (no added formaldehyde) or C.A.R.B. (California Air Resources Board) Phase 1 or Phase 2 compliant.
3. Ventilate new cars as much as possible. This will assist in ridding the car of excessive formaldehyde accumulation do to off-gassing. New car smell is hazardous to one’s health.

We should be encouraged by our government finally stepping up on behalf of ‘we the people’. I would not be surprised one bit, though, if the government bends to the will of the chemical industry in the name of profit and recants its position. Regardless, we now know what most of the world as known for some time. Go in good health and prosperity.

Interested in a complete line of non-toxic personal care products and beauty aids including nail polish and make up? Visit mysisel.com/thoughtfulhealth.

Sources:
http://healthland.time.com/2011/06/11/why-the-federal-government-finally-acted-on-chemical-safety/

http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/roc12.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/28/the-awful-odyssey-of-femas-hurricane-katrina-trailers/

Flawless cosmetics without poisonous ingredients

Formaldehyde is not for the Living: Part 1

Flawless cosmetics without poisonous ingredients
http://thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com/v1/Products/beauty/mineral_pressed_foundation.aspx

Just recently the U.S. government finally issued a safety warning about formaldehyde and placed it on the list of known carcinogens. It would seem that the U.S. is catching up to the rest of the world even if it is years after the fact. But why is formaldehydes new designation important to us?
Formaldehyde is a widely used substance and can be found in the products we interact with the most. Chief among these products are our homes, automobiles and personal care items.
The plywood used in home building is usually treated with formaldehyde. Automobile upholstery and other components are also treated or manufactured with formaldehyde. So the next time you are enjoying that new home or new car smell please know that it is the carcinogen (cancer causing) formaldehyde off-gassing right into your lungs. One exposure will probably not do too much damage but how long have you been inhaling these noxious vapors…10, 20, 30 years?
If you have ever been in a nail salon (or anywhere else where nails are done) you probably noticed the nail technician using a mask to cover their mouth and nose. It is not because they are afraid of your germs. They cover themselves to avoid exposure to particulates containing formaldehyde (as well as other harmful chemicals to include parabens). You may have also noticed who doesn’t have their faces covered. That would be the customers and anyone else who is with them like husbands, friends and children.
Hair salons are not exempt either. In fact, the exposure can be even more hideous since a good bit of heat steams the formaldehyde through any potential filters (read nasal cilia aka nose hair). Even certain treatments regarded as safe can contain formaldehyde or its parent chemical aldehyde (more on this in an upcoming post).
Part 2 will be posted within the next few days with important information on the chemical industry and how to avoid or minimize exposure to formaldehyde.
Interested in a complete line of non-toxic personal care products and beauty aids including nail polish and make up? Visit mysisel.com/thoughtfulhealth.

Flawless cosmetics without poisonous ingredients
http://thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com/v1/Products/beauty/mineral_liquid_foundation.aspx

Sources:
http://healthland.time.com/2011/06/11/why-the-federal-government-finally-acted-on-chemical-safety/
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/roc12.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/28/the-awful-odyssey-of-femas-hurricane-katrina-trailers/

Artificial Sweeteners and Weight Gain

Our grocery and retail shelves are flooded with diet foods, diet aids, and even some "health" foods that contain artificial sweeteners added to them like aspartame and sucralose. Even items like toothpaste and cough syrup have artificial sweeteners in them. They are touted as the zero calorie/low calorie saviors for those who wish to either control their weight or lose weight. What actually happens in the end is something that has the potential to not only increase weight but also lead to other ailments and/or adverse health conditions.

Over the next few post a number of issues revolving around artificial sweeteners, in particular aspartame, will be reviewed. Issues covered will be how aspartame is broken down (metabolized) in the body, how they affect blood sugar and cravings, and the potential to become addicted to artificial sweeteners.
The liver is the body's primary organ for fat burning and metabolism. When aspartame is consumed it passes directly to the liver from the small intestines. The liver has to work overtime to break down aspartame into its key components: phenylalanine, aspartic acid, formaldehyde and methanol. Each one of these components disrupts the body's ability to perform key functions but I will digress for the sake of brevity. Back to metabolism. The liver has to utilize a great amount of energy to metabolize aspartame. From the moment it enters the liver it is given priority over most every other metabolic function. While the liver is working furiously to breakdown aspartame into several different poisons it is unable to fully metabolize fats (beneficial fats or otherwise) found in our foods or fats already stored in the body. The problem is now obvious. Whenever fat from food is not fully metabolized it is stored away and fat already in the body is not processed for fuel (which leads to its removal). This is how consuming products with artificial sweeteners like aspartame can actually help pack on the pounds instead of decreasing them. Contrary to popular belief losing weight is not all about calorie restriction because even low calorie artificially sweetened foods can cause weight gain by retarding the livers ability to metabolize what we eat and cause strong cravings (more on cravings later).

Foods sweetened with aspartame can slow the livers ability to metabolize so much that the liver itself can become fatty. Once this happens total liver functionality, such as blood cleansing, enzyme production and hormone production, becomes impaired causing systemic problems throughout the entire body. Also, a fatty liver makes losing weight a frustrating endeavor. As previously mentioned a fatty liver can not breakdown and utilize fat for fuel efficiently. All the time spent working out at home or in a gym has the potential of being negated from a fat burning perspective when low fat/non fat foods spiked with artificial sweeteners are consumed coupled with a fatty, over-worked liver. By no means is this a condemnation of working out as we all should strive to be more active. Care about what we consume is the emphasis here. I am providing some resources below for perusal. The next post will cover how artificial sweeteners affect blood sugar and cravings. Bon appetit!

Sources:
http://www.savvypatients.com/sweeteners.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvFRLIjOLOU&feature=player_embedded#!