Do I have to cut it??
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Category: Long Hair Happenings
Forum Name: Long Hair Support
Forum Description: Growing it long takes commitment and support.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=543
Printed Date: October 21 2025 at 5:00am
Topic: Do I have to cut it??
Posted By: Unregistered Guest
Subject: Do I have to cut it??
Date Posted: April 21 2003 at 7:02pm
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I have fairly thick hair down to my bra strap. Its been damaged like crazy from me blow drying it, straightening it with an iron, and washing it daily. I have TONS of problems with split ends and even breakage. I get it trimmed every 6 weeks, but I still have problems! If I don't wash it every day, my hair gets oily and gross looking. If I let it dry naturally, it dries HALF straight, HALF wavy and becomes a poofy mess. I use shampoo's and conditioners for coarse, dry hair. I do a conditioning treatment on it once a week but nothing works. its starting to look worse and worse. Do I have to cut my hair and go for a fresh start??  Or is there something else I can do?
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Replies:
Posted By: hairalways
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 6:40am
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Yes, I have the same type of hair and it was suffering from overexertion too. I stopped blowdrying it, straightening it and bsaically let it take a vacation. I started washing it only three times a week with an all natural shampoo - no SLS in it which has been proven to deteriorate the surface of the hair. Condition it after every rinse and deep condition it once a week. I don't use a brush in it, only a hand cut comb. i put jojoba oil on the ends as needed. A few months later my hair was like it has never been in my life! It shines all by itself and does not dry all wierd and frizzy. I have no need to trim it even. I went 7 months before I finall went in just to trim 1/8" off.Oh, and take some hair vitamins. Try this - I am sure your hair just needs a little break. Jacqui ------------- |
Posted By: SuperGrover
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 11:48am
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I agree with HairAlways. It sounds like your hair just needs a break to regain its natural strength. It's going to take time though. I had awful damaged, dry frizzy hair once and it took several years to fully recover. Progress is gradual. But to answer your question "Do I have to cut it?", I think the answer is yes. But not necessarily all at once. I just had my damage cut off gradually, 2 inches at a time over the course of a couple years. HairAlways, I'm curious about what you said about SLS being damaging. I thought Sodium Laureth Sulfate was supposed to be OK, and it was just Sodium Lauryl Sulfate you are supposed to avoid. Are they both bad? And what kind of natural shampoo do you use. I know that just because I shampoo says it is "natural" that does not necessarily mean it's gentle. Uzma once recommended a natural shampoo called Shikakai, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Thanks! ------------- "Hair is a part of you. It is not a part of me, because I am a frog." - Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street1b/N/ii ~ ??"/27"/32" |
Posted By: hairalways
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 12:00pm
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Sodum Lauryl and Laureth, ammonium Lauryl and laureth - Both are irritants to the hair and skin. There are quite a few more on that list too. Sodium Cocoyl Sulfate is also. One is less irritating than the other, but still an irritant just by the nature of what it does, which is cause friction between the product and your hair - enough to make a lather. I have a really long, technical explanation - but it would make my hands hurt typing and bore you to death. There are a few great books out there on environmental toxins. Anyway - I use Aubrey Organics products, as well as Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Haircare Line. Both work well as long as you come to the realization that to get clean hair, you don't need a mountain of lather, just enough to get the product through your hair. I am using the Kiss My Face, Whenever Daily Shampoo with Eucalyptus and Chamomile and it is wonderful. Great question Supergrover! hope I was able to shed some light on this for you. Jacqui ------------- |
Posted By: uzma
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 12:52pm
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SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a member of a group of fatty alcohol sulphates (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Magnesium Lauryl Sulphate, TEA Lauryl Sulphate, etc…). This group of "surfactants" comprise the most widely used range of foaming and cleansing agents for shampoos, bubble baths, shower gels, hand cleansers, etc., in North America. In fact, more than 80% of all major brand shampoos contain at least one of the Lauryl Sulfates or Laureth Sulfates. Laureth Sulphates (like Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are simply Lauryl Sulfates that have been ethoxylated (treated with ethylene oxide) to make them more gentle on the skin. After the ethoxylation process, the ethylene oxide is also removed from the Sodium Laureth Sulfate, leaving us with a safe, gentle cleansing agent. A number of years ago, in 1983, Sodium Laureth Sulfate received some bad publicity because small amounts of dioxin (a toxic and carcinogenic compound) were found in some batches of the raw material. Since then, the better suppliers of Sodium Laureth Sulfate have improved their production techniques to a point where dioxin levels are no longer an issue. As to irritation - irritation studies are done on the skin with an "occlusive" patch test. This means that the SLS is applied to the skin, and then it is sealed with a special patch so that the compound cannot be washed off for 24 to 72 hours. Under these conditions, more than 90% of all cosmetic compounds will cause skin irritation to some degree. Keep in mind that SLS is used primarily in wash-off products such as shampoos and some skin cleansers. SLS is not a substantive compound, which means that it does not remain on the skin or hair if proper rinsing is done, so the exposure time on the skin is usually less than 60 seconds. High concentrations (above 10%) certainly can be irritating if the SLS is not modified with other desensitizing compounds - like the amphoterics. A typical Baby Shampoo does contain about 7% SLS, but it also contains ingredients such as Sodium Amphoglycinate to give a product that is not only non-irritating but non-stinging to the eyes as well. It must be pointed out again; concentration means everything to irritation potential. www.lifestyler.com ………………………………………….. SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE As a concerned and aware consumer, do you really have anything to worry about as far as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) is concerned? It would appear that we have two quite differing views on the safety of using and exposing the body to constant low levels of potentially toxic chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS). I feel it is only fair we look at the facts as they are reported by the chemical industry and other concerned individuals in regard to SLS. I would like to quote word for word as reported in the book "Health Wars" written by investigative medical journalist Phillip Day: You make up your own mind about the wisdom of using Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) in your shampoo and children's bubble bath after reading both sides of the story! "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) is a very harsh detergent found in almost all shampoos and more than a few toothpastes. Pick up a cross section of these products next time you visit the supermarket and you will find Sodium Lauryl Sulphate SLS or Sodium Lauryth Sulphate (SLES) in pride of place under the ingredients label. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate started its career as an industrial degreasant and garage floor cleaner. When applied to human skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer and then irritating and eroding the skin, leaving it rough and pitted. Studies on SLS have shown that:" (Judi Vance, Beauty To Die For, Promotion Publishing, 1998) 1. "Shampoos with SLS could retard healing and keep children's eyes from developing properly. Children under six years old are especially vulnerable to improper eye development. (Summary of Report of Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. conference." 2. "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate can cause cataracts in adults and delays the healing of wounds in the surface of the cornea." 3. "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate has a low molecular weight and so is easily absorbed by the body. It builds up in the heart, liver and brain and can cause major problems in these areas." 4. "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate causes skin to flake and to separate and causes roughness on the skin." 5. "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate causes dysfunction of the biological systems of the skin." 6. "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is such a caustic cleanser that it actually corrodes the hair follicle and impairs the ability to grow hair." 7. "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is routinely used in clinical studies deliberately to irritate the skin so that the effects of other substances can be tested." (Study cited by the Wall St Journal, 1st November 1998) http://www.health-report.co.uk/sodium_lauryl_sulphate.htm - http://www.health-report.co.uk/sodium_lauryl_sulphate.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hope the above helps inform your choices. Take care Uzma ------------- Uzi |
Posted By: Isla Q.
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 2:35pm
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This is interesting stuff! I just checked and all the shampoos I have at the moment, contain a type of laureth sulfate as well as lauryl sulfate. I no absolutely nothing about all the ingredients that are listed on the bottles. Aqua is the only one that rings a bell  .I'm definitely going to start looking at labels more. What else is there to look out for? ------------- |
Posted By: SuperGrover
Date Posted: April 22 2003 at 8:59pm
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Gosh! Scary stuff! It's good to know, but... I have so many products that contain SLS! A large supply of Redken All-Soft alone, plus many others. I hate to throw them away. I think I will see about trying natural products though, in the near future. Thanks for the information! ------------- "Hair is a part of you. It is not a part of me, because I am a frog." - Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street1b/N/ii ~ ??"/27"/32" |
Posted By: Lyris
Date Posted: April 23 2003 at 7:42am
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Traci, you don't have to throw your beloved All Soft away. While it is certainly true that any surfactant (and, I might add, a variety of natural substances including lemongrass, peppermint, sage and clove) can cause irritation. It really depends on your scalp's sensitivity. However, sodium laureth sulfate (which is abbreviated SLES--sodium lauryl sulfate is SLS) is considered the mildest of the sulfates group. As Uzma pointed out, it did generate a spat of negative publicity with its alleged carcinogenous properties but this myth has been debunked. Check out the following link: http://www.snopes.com/toxins/shampoo.htm - http://www.snopes.com/toxins/shampoo.htm The Urban Legends Reference Pages is an extremely well-documented site, and this particular article cites OSHA's Material Safety Data Sheets for SLS and SLES, the FDA and the National Toxicology Program. Hope this helps--everyone have a lovely Wednesday! ------------- Look for beauty, and you will find no intelligence. Look for intelligence and you will find both.Proud member of the Cult of All Soft |
Posted By: Lyris
Date Posted: April 23 2003 at 11:32am
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Hey Isla, A few potentially drying ingredients to avoid: Alkyl benzene sulfonate, Alkyl sodium sulfate, Ammonium Xylenesulfanate, Benzyl/ethyl/Isopropyl alcohol, kaolin (otherwise known as clay), papain, SD alcohol 40, Sodium C 14-16 olefin sulfate, Sodium dodecyl sulfonate, SLS, Sodium polystyrene/styrene, sulfur, Sodium Thiosulfate, TEA Laureth Sulfate and TEA-dodecylbenzene. Surfactants that ARE okay are the coconut-derived cocamidopropyl betaine and PEG-80 sorbitan laurate. While these are extremely mild, they lack good cleansing ability and typically only baby shampoos use just these ingredients as the main detergent. Usually you'll find them in conjunction with another surfactant, such as SLES. ------------- Look for beauty, and you will find no intelligence. Look for intelligence and you will find both.Proud member of the Cult of All Soft |
Posted By: SuperGrover
Date Posted: April 23 2003 at 7:48pm
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Thank you Lyris! That's a helpful website. I wasn't going to throw it away.  It's too expensive to do that, and I've been using it for so long, I'm kind of attached.But I am a little concerned to hear that << 6. "Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is such a caustic cleanser that it actually corrodes the hair follicle and impairs the ability to grow hair." >> Maybe that's part of the reason why my hair sticks together like cornsilk. It must corrode the hair cuticle as well. Sigh... sometimes I think it would be nice to just toss all of my hair products and shave my head and start all over again! But I live in the real world, that isn't going to actually happen. ------------- "Hair is a part of you. It is not a part of me, because I am a frog." - Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street1b/N/ii ~ ??"/27"/32" |
Posted By: Isla Q.
Date Posted: April 24 2003 at 3:03am
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Thanks Lyris! Your knowledge of this stuff never ceases to amaze me! ------------- |
Posted By: Lyris
Date Posted: April 24 2003 at 7:12am
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Thanks for your kind words Isla. Honestly, I don't really know that much. I just read a lot and ask many questions. Hi Traci! Fortunately you don't see sodium lauryl sulfate it in most salon brands (although Biolage "moisturizing" shampoo uses it. Unbelievable!) All Soft doesn't have it either--I wouldn't use it and love it if it did! Just can't get away from that goopy peach stuff :-) ------------- Look for beauty, and you will find no intelligence. Look for intelligence and you will find both.Proud member of the Cult of All Soft |
Posted By: uzma
Date Posted: April 24 2003 at 9:44am
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Hi Lyris Thanks for providing the latest info on these chemicals. I stopped using them a while back so haven't kept up to date. I think it's really great that everyone brings their own particular specialism to these boards and shares their knowledge so freely. Wonderful!!!! Take care Uzma ------------- Uzi |