I'm back to natural shampoo, what a difference!!
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
January 25, 2009 10:12pm CST
I found out a few years ago that sodium laurel sulfate was originally an engine degreaser and is the main ingredient in shampoo. It causes the hair to fall out, kills follicle cells and is generally a bad thing. I moved in the last 18 months and health food stores are few in my area. I finally found a natural shampoo that didn't have that ingredient at Mejier's the other day.
My shampoo had been used up two months ago. When I started using regular shampoos, I noticed my hair falling out a LOT again and thinning. Now, after two shampoos with the natural stuff, I don't get a lot of hair in my brush.
I had my mom using the natural shampoo while she was here. She's 84 and her hair is falling out so badly that the left side of her head is mostly bald. When she went home, she had new growth on that side and I think it's because of using shampoo that doesn't have sodium laurel sulfate as an ingredient.
It can't hurt, and might save your hair! Natural shampoo doesn't cost all that much, about $4 a bottle. Please try it. You'll be glad you did! 
2 people like this
8 responses
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
26 Jan 09
I've been using natural shampoos for about 12 years now. But one thing I just noticed, thanks to your post, is that the shampoo that I'm currently using contains sodium laurel sulfate. Great. Now I have to find another shampoo. Okay, I know I don't have to, but after reading up on some of these chemicals, it makes me want to find one that doesn't contain things that can be harmful.
Here's a link that I found about some Natural Shampoos if you want to read about it: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-dirt-on-natural-shampoos.html
So what's the name of the shampoo you decided to get dragon?
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
26 Jan 09
That's a great link, thank you! The health food store I bought my shampoo at doesn't carry it any more, all their shampoo has the SLS in it. I used Avalon but can't find it so I bought something called Jason's. It does a good job with no poison in it. Nature's Gate is another one I like, I'll probably have to order that online. I wish these natural products would quit scenting their stuff, I prefer unscented.
2 people like this
@shamsta19 (3224)
• United States
27 Jan 09
What about Sodium Ammonium Sulfate? I read something about this a few weeks ago and suddenly started noticing hair loss. I have been using a shampoo with Sodium Ammonium Sulfate and wondered if it was the same product? I have been making every attempt to avoid these things on my hair now though.
2 people like this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Interesting, thank you for the imput. i am going to check this out right now.
Cheers.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I haven't heard of sodium ammonium sulfate but it can't be good. Things like that attack the roots of the hair and destroy it. Get a natural shampoo and see if it makes a difference, I'll bet it does!
Be sure to rinse well, though. Without all those chemicals, some ingredients will stick with your hair so you need to rinse well. You'll also not get all the lather and suds that you get with chemical shampoos but you'll get used to that.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
26 Jan 09
Well now this is certainly an interesting subject.
Thank you for your discussion!
Interesting and I think I may try it indeed.
I wash my dog in natural shampoo but mine is the
Fructis, made by Garnier and it too has the sodium laurel sulfate
listed as the second ingredient.
Commonly known as SLS, sodium laurel sulfate is also used in toothpaste!
Here is an extremely interesting link that explains in depth:
http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html
"Cleans by corrosion and is harmful to skin and hair"!
Wow.
Even more interesting is this Government Alert on SLS:
Scroll down to the conclusion of the report. Rather shocking.
http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsalert.html
How can companies still use this in their products designed for human use, on our skin and in our hair? Even toothpaste?
Lastly, here is the [b]MSDS [material safety data sheet]on SLS[/b:
http://www.healthy-communications.com/msdssodiumlaurylsulfate.html
Thank you very much for this valuable information dragon54u.
I will be switching my shampoo immediately.
I find quite a lot of hair in my brush weekly also.
1 person likes this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
You are most welcome!
I agree it is insane to use engine degreaser to wash our hair.
Dido on the toothpaste. I am going for Tom's natural toothpaste now and see what is listed on those ingredients.
Funny, I checked the conditioner I use and the SLS wasn't listed. I likely wont use it anymore either.
I must find a decent natural shampoo. What brand are you using?
My hair is very long. I will need something with good conditioning otherwise I may not be able to brush it out very easily..
I too would be shocked to find anymore hair in my brush than I already do.
This is all somewhat appalling when brought to light.
Thank you for your comment and for posting this topic. Good on you.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
26 Jan 09
At 54, I'm quite alarmed when I use regular shampoo and there is a bunch of hair in my brush!! The thought of using engine degreaser on my hair is insane.
I also don't use toothpaste. My dentist says it's for purely sensual reasons--people feel their teeth are cleaner with it, their breath fresher but it really does no good. Even the de-sensitizing toothpastes don't do any real good.
I'm glad you posted those links, they will reinforce my position. Thanks!
@sameroad (3179)
• United States
28 Jan 09
That's interesting. I've thought about using natural shampoo before because they say it's better to use. I will have to buy some next time I run out of shampoo and give it a try. I know when I use baby shampoo vs regular i can tell a difference.
i don't know if baby shampoo has the ingredient you were talking about but it's not as harsh to the hair.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I think I remember checking baby shampoo and seeing that ingredient there.
I've had someone say she uses plain water and sometimes some vinegar for her hair and it's nice and clean. Another said conditioner and lemon juice do a great job on the hair. Try those before you spend money on natural shampoo, because it's expensive (in my opinion).
Isn't it strange that everything that's good for you--natural foods and shampoos, fresh vegetables and fruits, etc--is more expensive than what's bad for you? 
@mommamusic (882)
• United States
26 Jan 09
Hey thanks for that good tip iwill buy that on my next shopping trip.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
26 Jan 09
It costs more. I used to buy Suave for $.99 a bottle and felt good about it. But seeing the difference between losing my hair and keeping it is well worth the extra I pay for natural shampoo with no sodium laurel sulfate.
@MdImranHossain (336)
• Bangladesh
31 Jan 09
A helpful information, really only mylotters can share good informations with their friends. I didn't know about such ingredient in shanpoos like soduim laurel sulfate and such bad effect of it to hair. Though I never use a shampoo but I tell it to my friends a families. O yes I must suggest them to use natural shampoos.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I had another person say they don't use shampoo. When I think about it, a good rinsing would probably do just as good a job!
@MdImranHossain (336)
• Bangladesh
31 Jan 09
May shampoos are really for rinsing but I never use them. A anytipe of soap is enough for me. And this is the only cosmetic item I use. I think I no problem with out any further cosmetics.
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
27 Jan 09
I'm almost scared to say this, as I'm expecting people to shout 'oh, disgusting' without thinking about it, but I don't use shampoo at all. I just rinse my hair in clear water, or with vinegar if I feel it needs more help.
There are only a few people in my 'real life' who know, and none of them had guessed before I told them.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
28 Jan 09
That's not disgusting, that's what people did before we became brainwashed into thinking we needed chemicals on our hair. So that works, huh? Let me try it next time my hair needs washed. I have oily hair but it makes sense that warm water and a scalp massage would clear away all the dirt and oil. Vinegar is also a great grease cutter and I know it makes the hair nice and soft. Thanks for the info, I'll try it!
1 person likes this
@bookreadermom08 (5614)
• United States
26 Jan 09
oh my gosh, I didnt know this. Thank you for the information, as I have in the last year have had a lot of hair breakage, I wonder if this is a cause of this as well.
I will look into the natural shampoo and test it out since I was getting worried and I also thought it was a hormonal thing after having a baby last year.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
26 Jan 09
I know from experience that hormones can cause havoc when you give birth!
But from what I've seen--my mom getting her hair growing back, my own not falling out anymore--I need shampoo like this. Everybody's system is different and yours might not be subject to this chemical. Try it for a month and see. You can get it at health food stores but be sure to read the labels!!!!
