What products/chemicals to avoid???

[Glib Gurl]

I've been so busy reading up on what products and treatments to start using that it never occured to me to ask what things you all avoid putting on your hair . . . any info is greatly appreciated!

 

[Glib Gurl]

bumping up . . .

 

[HoneyDew]

There was a recent thread about this. I will see if i can find it.

Personally I avoid alcohol altogether. I don't totally avoid 'cones, mineral oil or petroleum, but I try not to use leave ins and moisturizers with those. I have a few finishing products with these and that's fine for shine or whatever. I actually love a few of those. And I could not live without my cones for heat protectants. But, for base moisture, I use products without 'cones, mineral oil or petroleum first. I have been able to maintain more moisture that way. I don't have to moisturize daily, as a result.

 

[HoneyDew]

Here are a few threads:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=121450

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=119062

 

[Divine Inspiration]

I avoid alcohol. I also avoid cones when possible, espeically in leave-ins and daily moisturizers. I avoid parabens, EDTA, and DMDM Hyantoin when possible as well. Mineral oil isn't as much of an issue for me in conditioners, etc, but I don't put it on my scalp because it causes dandruff and itchy scalp for me.

 

[HoneyDew]

I avoid alcohol. I also avoid cones when possible, espeically in leave-ins and daily moisturizers. I avoid parabens, EDTA, and DMDM Hyantoin when possible as well. Mineral oil isn't as much of an issue for me in conditioners, etc, but I don't put it on my scalp because it causes dandruff and itchy scalp for me.

same for me! I never realized it until I stopped using them on my scalp and I NEVER get itching or dandruff now.


DI, is there a reason why you avoid EDTA? I have to use it because of my water quality, but is in dangerous or unhealthy? I would hate that because EDTAs have been so beneficial for me. Citric acid works well for me, but it is not as good.

 

[sizefouramour]

There was a recent thread about this. I will see if i can find it.

Personally I avoid alcohol altogether. I don't totally avoid 'cones, mineral oil or petroleum, but I try not to use leave ins and moisturizers with those. I have a few finishing products with these and that's fine for shine or whatever. I actually love a few of those. And I could not live without my cones for heat protectants. But, for base moisture, I use products without 'cones, mineral oil or petroleum first. I have been able to maintain more moisture that way. I don't have to moisturize daily, as a result.

what's wrong with petroleum? j/w because i have been using it in a hair product of mine.

 

[HoneyDew]

what's wrong with petroleum? j/w because i have been using it in a hair product of mine.

Not a thang!! I really don't have a problem with it and I don't think its bad. It's just that since I have been using leave-ins and conditioners w/o it, my hair has been doing MUCH better as far as moisture is concerned. I still use products with petroleum if I need to, but only after my other products for shine or whatever.

 

[Ms Red]

I avoid:

Alcohol
Lanolin
Mineral Oil if it is one of the first three ingredients
Pink Oil Moisturizer lol

 

[Glib Gurl]

Thanks for the responses. But wait - what are "cones"????

 

[HoneyDew]

Thanks for the responses. But wait - what are "cones"????

Silicone. I use these in heat protectants, but I try not to layer them too much on a day to day basis. That was causing my relaxers to underprocess.

 

[imstush]

I only avoid products with alcohol

 

[lizjoseph]

From what I've read, alot of ladies avoid petroleum because it blocks the hair from receiving moisture. Instead of moisturizing, you're creating a barrier against moisture. So your hair is shiny on the outside, but dry on the inside. Kinda like putting your hair in a permanent shower cap; no real moisture can get in.

what's wrong with petroleum? j/w because i have been using it in a hair product of mine.

 

[alundra]

Thanks for the responses. But wait - what are "cones"????

From what I understand, they are products that end in -cone. *hunts down Aveda gloss, which is cone city*

Examples: Trimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone

Someone on another thread said they coat hair. This means that it can hold in moisture and protect from heat. Someone else said that it means that sometimes you can't tell if your hair is really damaged or not, because it gives the illusion of health, so to speak. If you use them too much *without* clarifying, it can cause your relaxer to underprocess.

One of the main things in "Silicone Mix" are cones.

My hair loves cones. Many people here use cones on a regular basis. They also clarify to clear their hair of the cones.

I hope that was correct and not too lengthy.

 

[ellebelle88]

From what I understand, they are products that end in -cone. *hunts down Aveda gloss, which is cone city*

Examples: Trimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone

Someone on another thread said they coat hair. This means that it can hold in moisture and protect from heat. Someone else said that it means that sometimes you can't tell if your hair is really damaged or not, because it gives the illusion of health, so to speak. If you use them too much *without* clarifying, it can cause your relaxer to underprocess.

One of the main things in "Silicone Mix" are cones.

My hair loves cones. Many people here use cones on a regular basis. They also clarify to clear their hair of the cones.

I hope that was correct and not too lengthy.

You did a perfect job of explaining that. Thank you! I've always been wondering exactly what cones were!

 

[whitneysimone]

i try to avoid alcohol and mineral oil like the plague. some of my staples have mineral oil, however, and they have done wonders for my hair but most other mineral oil products just seem to sit on my hair, so i guess it just depends...

 

[PinkSkates]

Glib Gurl if I avoided everything that was suppossed to be bad for my hair ,my hair would be a hot mess. I pretty much use whatever I want on my hair, I just use the products in moderation. Silicones (cones) are in most styling hair care products. They are bad and good. They are bad because they can lock out moisture from your hair strands, but at the same time they are excellent as a heat protectant for your hair strands. So you just have to balance the good with the not so good.

 

[sareca]

Alcohol
Lanolin
Cones that are not water-soluable.

 

[NuMe2004]

I would definitely agree with the other ladies in that anything with alcohol needs to be avoided. Petroleum can be heavy, but I don't think it's nearly as bad as beeswax. Beeswax can weigh the hair down and cause a ton of dirt and grime to accumulate.

 

[HoneyDew]

Glib Gurl if I avoided everything that was suppossed to be bad for my hair ,my hair would be a hot mess. I pretty much use whatever I want on my hair, I just use the products in moderation. Silicones (cones) are in most styling hair care products. They are bad and good. They are bad because they can lock out moisture from your hair strands, but at the same time they are excellent as a heat protectant for your hair strands. So you just have to balance the good with the not so good.

I agree. I used to use so much silicone that my hair would not move. It never seemed totally clean, either. That stuff started building up and my hair felt sticky even after shampoos sometimes.

Now I know when to use them and also how to use them without the heavy hand.