Want green hair?

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Want green hair?

By Tracy Riggs – December 2, 2009

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Have you ever noticed how bubbly your shampoo can get while you’re washing your hair?

Or, how wonderful the scent is as you close your eyes and imagine tropical fruits and berries while you’re on some remote island?

“Ahhh, “ you say to yourself as you rinse the conditioner out, “my hair feels good.”

Well, not so fast.

The truth is, a lot of those ingredients in your shampoo and conditioners are highly toxic.

Now, I want you to go in your bathroom and get your shampoo and conditioner bottles. Go ahead; I’ll wait.

Look on the back label. Do you see the word sodium lauryn?

This chemical is found in engine de-greasers and in garage floor cleaners. It enters the body through the skin and can have highly damaging effects, like hair loss, and can even cause blindness.

Here are some other chemicals to look for in your products:

Parabens: Used to extend the shelf life of products. They may cause skin irritations, including dermatitis and allergic reactions.

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate: Contains a substance called “ether” and is absorbed by the skin easily. This chemical is known to be highly toxic and cancer causing.

Propylene Glycol: Used in antifreeze. Can you believe it?

Lauramide Dea: Makes the shampoo bubbly. It is found to cause cancer and it also dries out the skin and hair.
If you find you have an itchy scalp, hair loss or sores that are appearing on your scalp at no fault of your own, you could be experiencing a reaction to one of the above chemicals.

So, I guess you're asking: Tracy, what should I use?

Well, consider making your own shampoo and conditioner.

You will need organic liquid castile soap. Also, I’ve listed some oil and herb combinations to use, depending on your hair care needs.

Begin with 4 ounces of castile soap and place in an 8 oz bottle.

For dandruff control: Mix ½ oz Tea tree oil and 2-½ oz of strained chamomile tea.

For extra shine: 2½ oz strained lemongrass tea and ½ oz. rosemary oil.

To thicken hair: 1 oz Rosemary oil and ½ oz strained nettles.

To make conditioner: Simply mix 2 tablespoons of honey and a half a cup of coconut oil or organic olive oil. Warm on the stove. (Note: do not microwave). Keep on stove long enough so that ingredients are easy to mix.

Apply to hair after shampooing. Leave the conditioner on your hair for 15 minutes with a plastic cap. Remove cap then shampoo and style.

Not feeling that adventurous? Here are a couple of all-natural products I highly recommend.

Oyinhandmade.com is an all-natural product line. The black-owned company uses recycled materials for their packaging and this earth-friendly product is made here in the USA. Another favorite is a black-owned company, Createdbynature.ecrater.com.

We only get one body and one earth, so love yourself and treat the earth with care.

Email your questions to tracy@tracyrigggsinc.com or visit www.tracyriggsinc.com.