Which specific chemicals are bad for African-American hair?

Question

Hi, after the frustrating and damaging effects of relaxes, I have decided to go natural. I've heard some things like staying away from like shampoos other hair products with mineral oil, petrolatum, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc. Are there any other chemicals that also are not good for our hair?

Answer 1

Hello, I am natural too.

DMDM Hydantoin, Urea, methylparabens, synthetic dyes, artificial fragrances (which often times contain toxins that are able to seep though to the scalp). Some times naturtal products can cost a tad bit more than drug store brands because they are organic and derived from natural plants, when the costs of food rises so does the price of natural products. As for the SLS, there are different types of SLS and the one most people are concerned about can be avoided if you use Sulfate-Free products. There are a lot of misconceptions about shampoos and in the Natural Hair Care circle many people will tell you to just stay away from shampoos altogether...this is simply not true...you CAN and SHOULD use a shampoo...you just need to use one that contains no sulfate.  Currently, I have switched over to a 100% natural hair care line for Black women called Mineral Indulgence. Unlike Carol's Daughter, they don't use chemical preservatives or DMDM Hydantoin, so it works best on natural hair. The Napturally Sulfate-Free Shampoo, the Shea & Mango Butter Conditioner, and the Kiwi Coconut Hair Smoothie work fabulously on natural hair. The shampoo deeply cleanses the scalp, but because it contain aloe butter moisturizes and detangles the hair VERY well, the conditioner adds a nice sheen to the hair furthering the detangling process, and the Kiwi Coconut Hair Smoothie accentuates your natural hair curls and softens it as well. There are many other chemicals to look out for, but I think that on the site they go deeper in to detail as to which ones are potentially the most dangerous.

Hope I helped.