Popular Black Hair Care Products Contain Toxic Chemicals that Cause Cancer, Infertility, Obesity & Hair Loss

A recent study of black hair products by the Silent Springs Institute has uncovered that 80% of the most popular hair care products for black women and children contain toxic parabens that cause cancer, infertility obesity and hair loss.

Tests were conducted on 18 of the most popular hair products in the black hair care market and there were divided into six different categories:

• Hot oil treatment
• Anti frizz
• Leave in conditioner
• Root stimulator
• Hair Lotion
• Relaxer

Of the 18 tested products, 80% contained an alarming number of hormone disrupting chemicals, known as parabens, which are used as preservatives and mimic oestrogen, increasing the risk of cancer, weight gain and reduced muscle mass.  The research noted a correlation between the exposure of toxic chemicals in hair oil and relaxers and the rising trend of black women and children suffering from asthma, early menstruation, infertility, uterine fibroids, premature birth and breast and endometrial cancers.

Further, 11 of the 18 products analysed contained chemicals that are banned under the EU cosmetic regulations because of their links to cancer and infertility. The tests also revealed that 84% of the chemicals that were detected in the products were not listed on the products labels.

Toxic Chemicals and Hair Loss

The Toxic chemicals identified in 80% of black hair products are not limited to causing cancer, obesity, asthma and infertility, but they can also cause hair loss and balding because they hinder hair regrowth. The following ingredients are frequently used in hot oil treatments, anti frizz products, leave in conditioners, root stimulators, hair lotions and relaxers and they restrict hair growth:

• Mineral Oil – coats the skin like plastic wrap, restricting the capacity for hair to sprout through the scalp.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – a lathering agent that is used in most shampoos. This is a potent de-greaser that binds to the dirt and grease on your scalp. After you rinse your hair the grime is drawn down the drain by SLS. However, after rinsing, it is not uncommon for remnants of SLS to remain on the scalp and because it is such a potent chemical (it is also used in detergents that clean garage floors, such is its strength) it will strip your skin of its vital oils, causing dryness. Also, when open hair follicles are exposed to SLS through repeated hair washing, the harsh chemical kills the hair follicles causing balding.
• Diethanolamine (DEA), Momoethanolamine (MEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) – these are disrupting chemicals that can cause cancer and hair loss. DEA, MEA and TEA are potential irritants which can cause scalp inflammation or allergic reactions, making hair thin or brittle and prone to breakage.
• FD & C Color Pigments – can irritate the skin and increase skin sensitivity, as well as striping the hair of the oxygen it needs to grow.

The research by The Silent Spring Institute concluded that there were higher levels of parabens unearthed in hair products made for black women as opposed to hair products that were targeted at white women, which explains why as a community we are more prone to illness and hair loss.

If you recognise symptoms of hair loss or any of the illnesses mentioned in this blog, then the hair products you are using and the hair care regime you are following is not working for you so, why not try ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy Shampoo and Lotion.

The most popular black hair care products are manufactured in the USA and China. ProTress Essential Scalp Therapy 12 Week Treatment Pack is manufactured in the Italy, which is in the EU. The EU prohibits the use of the harmful chemicals which are in the most popular black hair product, unlike China and the USA. ProTress 12 Week Treatment Pack is made with natural extracts of Rosemary, Nettle and Passionflower and is free of the toxic parabens which cause illness and hair loss.