Natural hair products vs chemical hair products

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Natural hair products vs chemical hair products

When deciding to use hair products, many of us are often confronted with the question of whether or not chemical-based hair products like shampoos and conditioners will damage our precious locks. The truth is that we all have different hair types, and therefore several factors may come into play when considering the choice of the product. Another factor if you happen to operate a hairdressing business using natural products may reduce the costs of your hair salon insurance.

John Brennan, CEO of Fuente Australia, weighs up the pros and cons of both organic hair products and chemical-based hair products and the outcome is concerning. Despite a tolerable level in the short term, it has been shown that synthetic products can cause severe long-term damage not only to the quality of hair, but also our overall physical as well as psychological health and well-being. His study has revealed that there are untested and unsafe ingredients in hair care products that we use every day. In some cases, these ingredients have been linked to toxicity in the nervous system, weaknesses of the immune system and even cancer.

Chemical-based products advantages

Some chemical-based hair care products can be specially formulated to direct and manage hair problems that can result from constant bleaching or hair colouring, which makes them a saviour for severely damaged hair.
Most synthetic hair products offer a short-term solution to problems such as dryness, breakage, and dandruff, thus significantly helps in the relief and management of these conditions. However, the results are short-term and do not address the underlying problems. Chemicals ingredients in them can cause even more damage.
Synthetic hair products often designed to help prevent heat damage caused by the frequent use of hair straighteners or hairdryers.

Disadvantages

Isopropyl alcohol is an active ingredient found in a large range of synthetic hair products, especially in hair colour rinses. It is a denaturant, which means that it can change the natural qualities of your hair, and its inhalation in vapour form can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and in some cases, vomiting. Long-term effects on health are not known, but are generally considered of great concern.
Artificial additives such as colours, fragrances, preservatives, stabilisers and thickeners are found in many products for scalp care to extend the life of the product. These hazardous substances are highly absorbable into the skin and can cause significant irritation to sensitive people., The long-term effects of these chemical additives on health are not known but are generally considered to be very concerning.
Synthetic hair products can cause more harm than good for relatively natural hair that has not been exposed to constant staining and in some cases, have led to toxicity in the nervous system and even cancer.

Natural hair product advantages

The biological products gently infused hair follicles and skin cells with natural minerals, extracts, and herbal oils. This protects the integrity of the hair fibre and ensures long-term protection. Natrual hair products gradually feed your hair to its healthiest state possible.
Natural hair products are free of hazardous elements found in chemical-based products. As such, the likelihood of irritation, an allergic reaction or harmful exposure is significantly lower, if at all, than that of synthetic products.
These products are eco-friendly and much better for the environment than chemical ones. Since the ingredients are of natural origin, they cause less harm to the environment. They tend to be safer for animals on water or land, more biodegradable in landfills and better for washing down the drain.

Disadvantages

Natural hair products are relatively more expensive than synthetics counterparts.
Most of these products are less commercial and therefore harder to find as compared to standard hair care products at your local supermarket.
Repairing instant damage is not a characteristic of natural products because natural ingredients take longer to be absorbed by your hair than synthetic ingredients.

Summary

In short, while synthetic hair products can provide immediate results and provide a long-term shelf life, general health effects are of great concern. Natural products, despite being relatively non-commercial and little more expensive, offer longer lasting results.