We’ve all had the probing question if it’s really THAT beneficial for you to purchase professional hair care products versus drug store products. Here at J Michael’s we believe so, especially when you’re investing in your cut and color with your hard earned money. Yes, you will be spending more if you buy professional, but you’ll also be maintaining the color and cut with good healthy products. Think of it as an investment in your hair and mostly importantly your health!

Most large hair care corporations will do anything to make a dollar as fast as they can, adding in unnecessary chemicals to shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products. The best way to combat this is to READ your labels. Please. As a stylist, I want you to walk out of this salon feeling wonderful about yourself and your hair. I also want you to recreate the same style at home, and the products I use on your hair in the salon will help you best do that if you are also using them in every day life.

So let’s learn how best to read the label. Put your chemist coat on and jump full throttle with me into the world of hair care ingredients. Some you will want to avoid and some you won’t want to live without. First, let’s dig into which ones to dodge.

– Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: found in most drug store shampoos, it causes foaming lather, which strips the hair of its natural oils.

– Sodium chloride: also known as table salt, it creates thickness in shampoos and conditioners. Causes dry and itchy scalp in addition to hair loss.

– Dimethindene (DEA) & Triethanolamine (TEA): causes scalp irritation, severe allergic reactions, and destroys keratin while making the hair dry, brittle, and lifeless.

– Parabens: used to prolong shelf life in products. Known for its toxic nature, not only irritating the skin, but also affecting your hormonal balance and causing hair loss.

– Synthetic fragrance/parfum: a mixture of different chemicals, some three thousand used for just one fragrance.

– Propylene Glycol: also known as anti-freeze, this is a common ingredient in shampoos and other personal care products to keep it from freezing while being shipped or stored in a warehouse.

– Dimethicone: synthetic form of silicone. This ingredient causes scalp and skin irritation, chapped dry skin, rashes, burning, itching, clogged pores, as well as sealing in oils and bacteria.

These are just a handful of dangerous ingredients that a large majority of the population is pouring into their hair and skin. Several studies even show some of these chemicals may cause cancer! What we know for a fact is they are in no way beneficial to our bodies. As we continue to slather these products on, our genes become more prone to the harsh side effects.

Now onto ingredients you need to look for! Can we get some applause for the chemist out there who found ways to use natural ingredients to clean your hair instead of manmade chemicals? Remember your skin is the largest organ you have and it soaks up every ounce of what’s put on it.

The word “derived” means to obtain something from a specified source, so please note that as you read.

– Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate: large molecules derived from coconut that cannot penetrate the skin and cannot irritate it either. Used to emulsify oils and cleanse the scalp.

– Cocamidopropyl Betaine: also derived from coconut oil’s fatty acid. This helps reduce skin irritation as well as cleanse the scalp.

– Decyl Glucoside: comes from corn/coconuts and prevents skin dryness, improving skin tolerance. Helps moisturize skin to prevent inflammation and itchiness.

– Nymphaea Alba flower extract: moisturizing agent derived from water lilies. This ingredient purifies and protects the skin.

– Saliva Officinals (sage): prevents hair loss as well as gives the hair shine.

– Thymus Vulgaris (thyme) extract: helps treat dandruff.

– Panthenol: adds moisture and protects hair from breakage.

– Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase: human hair protein.

– Polysaccharides & Glycoproteins: stimulates skin to repair and help hair grow, as well as reduces skin inflammation.

There are plenty of wonderful products out there for you to use! Read the labels, look up the ingredients right then, and know what you are using. Become educated about your products and put a stop to big companies lying about what they are using. It’s causing more harm than good, but you can fight it. There are many independent companies that are trying to combat this problem, many of which we are proud to use in J Michael’s. Help us keep you and your loved ones healthy, one product at a time! For more information about great hair products, visit our Products page  or contact us today.

– Britney Dunbar, Master Stylist & Colorist, Salon Assistant Manager, Wedding Concierge