Sodium Laural Sulfate

Did you know that 90% of all commercial soaps and shampoos use a detergent called sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and/or sodium laurel sulfate (SLS).  Did you know that as little as a single drop can be retained in tissues up to 5 days?

SLS is systemic, and can penetrate and be retrained in the eye, brain, heart, liver etc., with potentially harmful long-term effects. It could retard healing, cause cataracts in adults, and can keep children's eyes from developing properly.  If that is not bad enough, SLS has a tendency to react with other ingredients to form NDELA, a nitrosamine and potent carcinogen.

Bathing or Shampooing just once a day can add enough nitrate absorption to the body as eating an entire pound of bacon!
The FDA has has repeatedly warned shampoo manufacturers of unacceptable levels of dioxin in products containing SLES.  Yet we constantly hear of allergic responses to yet more toxins and allergens.

Here are just a few other products which contain SLS or one of it's derivatives.

Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing, or through house cleaning. SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating but may cause more drying. Both SLS and SLES can enter the blood stream. They are used widely due to the fact that they are cheap for the manufacturers.  After all, a small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thickens to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated.

Here are some natural ingredients you would be better to look for in your shampoos and creme rinses.  They can help condition the hair and scalp with no harmful affects.  Aloe vera, Fenugreek- a stimulant that increases blood flow to the root of the hair.  Ivy burdock- a deep cleanser that can help block hormones that cause hair problems in the scalp.
Emu oil- loaded with omega 3's and essential fatty acids that are needed for cell reproduction. Many claim that it darkens gray hair and awakens hair follicles. Ginseng-Gotu Kula-Jojoba oil.  Marigold extracts- soothes inflammation in the scalp and works well for dry hair.  Thyme-Sage-Spirulina and Zinc pca (an amino acid derivative)

In the table below, you can learn a great deal about which natural ingredients are used in place of synthetics.

Here are some great resources for additional learning.

Kalyx.com: has organic and healthy Herbs, Foods, Supplements, Bath & Body Products
 

Internal Cleansing : Rid Your Body of Toxins to Naturally and Effectively Fight Heart Disease, Chronic Pain, Fatigue, PMS and Menopause Symptoms, and More (Revised 2nd Edition)
 

Herbs for Detoxification: Herbs to Strengthen the Immune System and Improve Health by Countering the Environmental Toxins That Surround Us (Keats Good Herb Guide Series)
 

The Healthy House: How to Buy One, How to Build One, How to Cure a "Sick" One