The Irreversible Damage of Chemical Relaxers
It’s time to seriously reconsider that relaxer on your three year old! A NEW medical research report from the University of Cape Town says using hair relaxers on children and younger women can lead to total baldness.
Dermatologist Nhlanhla Khumalo, who works at the university and at Groote Schuur Hospital, found that chemical relaxers cause irreversible damage to the scalp.
NEW KNOWLEDGE: Research has found that chemical relaxers cause irreversible damage to the scalp.
Khumalo published her research in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology last month.
She wrote that “the link between relaxers and hair loss was becoming clearer”. The highest risk of hair loss happens when hairstyles and braids are done on relaxe
d hair.
Based on a study of school girls and young women in Langa, Cape Town, Khumalo’s research found that up to 70percent of schoolgirls and adults were using hair relaxers to straighten their hair.
“For black African women, the most worrying cause of hair loss is traction alopecia (TA) – the loss of hair which is most common in the hairline as a result of pulling hair into a tight pony tail, braids and weaves,” she said.
The highest risk occurs when the hairstyles are done on relaxed hair which is already soft, she said.
Hair relaxers change the level of cystine – a protein responsible for strengthening the hair.
“The end result is that the hair is fragile and brittle compared to the original unrelaxed hair,” Khumalo said.
She said adding hairstyles like braids and extensions onto the hair puts pressure on the relaxed hair, which results in hair breaking or falling out.
Lucy Mibey, hairdresser and owner of Braids Sensation Hair and Beauty Salon in Mowbray, Cape Town, said “the problem is that the majority of African black people have no proper knowledge and education about hair grooming”.
Mibey said many people who had lost their hair had passed through the doors of her salon and that even dermatologists had not been able to help some of them, 
she said.
“The hair products industry is a booming one, and unfortunately quality hair products and relaxers are expensive and many people cannot afford them.”
In her opinion, many hairdressers have “no knowledge at all” about the dangers of chemical hair products.
Khumalo said: “If you do use hair relaxers, stay away from braids and extensions which will add more weight to the hair – or else go natural.”
In 1999 the American Journal of Epidemiology released a publication that began with, “Several studies suggest that toxic chemicals in hair products may be absorbed through the scalp in sufficient amounts to increase the risks of adverse health effects in women or their infants.” Some of the effects are low birth rate and premature delivery. The studies were on black women and the effects their hair relaxers might have on their unborn babies. Sodium hydroxide, ammonium, and formaldehyde are just a few named chemical ingredients that can penetrate the scalp skin and enter the body of the mother and unborn baby. Outside of straightening hair, these same chemicals are used as drain cleaners, household cleansers, and embalming fluid.
Additionally, according to the EWG (Environmental Working Group) many of the chemicals contained in hair relaxers result in those specific relaxers being banned in those countries. For example, Luster’s PCJ No-Lye have been banned in Canada because they contain phenolphthalein. Phenolphthalein has been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, developmental/reproductive toxicity and much more. Hair relaxers are not the only culprits. You check check out the Banned in Other Countries List on EWG’s SkinDeep.com.
Reportedly, most of the black women with straight hair that lays sickly thin against their scalps are the same women who chose at-home box kit relaxers. These relaxers can be up to $70 cheaper than a chemical process at a salon. The truth is lye relaxers or professional strength relaxers contain the best quality products for the hair. As a result, they are sold exclusively to professional salon professional. The comforting news is that a licensed cosmetologist has been trained to apply relaxers in the proper manner. They can usually assure the scalp is not burned by the chemical and the hair is not over processed. Our advice, if you choose to use hair relaxers, go to a trained professional.
Qhemet Biologic’s Amla & Olive Heavy Cream
April 1, 2010 by COREN BURCH
Filed under Beauty, Beauty Reviews, Hair Reviews, Products We Love, Shopping
http://www.qhemetbiologics.com/ 8oz./ $16.50
Product Description
Our nourishingly rich blend of old world oils, organic herbs and natural humectants leaves coarse, dry and brittle hair extra soft, healthy and supple!
Key Ingredients: Our ultra thick cream contains Amla, Brahmi and African Aloe, premium Afro-Indian botanicals used for thousands of years to nourish the scalp and strengthen and condition hair. MSM sulfur nurtures follicles and encourages healthy hair growth, Mediterranean Olive Oil delivers emollience and lubricity while Vegetable Glycerin and pure African Castor Oil lends sheen, softness and intense moisture.
A perfect all-in-one for moisturizing and softening afro’s, coils, curls, pony puffs, two strand twists, braids, cornrows, fades, chemical and color processes, softening new growth and restoring softness and elasticity to dry brittle ends. Also helps weigh down kinks and coils.
Use as a:
My Experience: I absolutely LOVE this product! I have thick, 4b hair (see Andre Walker’s hair classification system) and this product has been a staple for me. I use this product on my hair, (along with a styling product) while it is wet and do two strand twists. Also, I may divide it in sections and just use it as a leave-in. There are so many uses for this product! My hair dries very, very soft and well hydrated. The moisture lasts for days! It doesn’t give the hair a lot of shine, but I remedy that by applying coconut oil to seal the moisture or mixing it with Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm.
With it being handmade product, the ship time is a little longer. Especially for those of you who are used to getting things in 3-5 days. When I have called to get information about my order, they have been very timely in responding. That made waiting a little easier. They offer promotions a couple of times a year so I try to get mulitples of what I use and maybe try something new.
All in all, it is an excellent item to try. If you don’t want to purchase a full-size jar, they also sell sample sizes.
Product Review: Supa Natural Products
Looking for a moisturizing body butter to preserve your skin through the winter months? If you have sensitive and/or dry skin you know how difficult it can be to find a moisturizer to meet your needs. Selebrity from Supa Natural Products has created a line that meets the needs of sensitive, dry skin. Take a look for a full product review.
SupaNaturalProducts.com
Body Butters are currently on sale for $10 .
Good Health God’s Way
October 11, 2009 by admin
Filed under Beauty, Christian Living, Features, Nutrition, Self Improvement, Weightloss
1. A sliced Carrot resembles the human eye including the pupil, iris, and radiating lines. Science indicates that carrots help protect the vision, especially night vision. WHFoods: Carrots
2. A Tomato has up to four chambers and is commonly red. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and helps prevent heart disease, prostate cancer, breast cancer and more. Tomato juice can also reduce the tendency toward blood clotting. WHFoods: Tomatoes
3. Grapes hang in a cluster that resembles the shape of the heart. The stronger the color of the grape is, the higher the concentration of phytonutrients. Grapes prevent heart disease and reduce platelet clumping and harmful blood clots. WHFoods: Grapes
4. Walnuts resemble the brain, mimicking the wrinkles and folds of the neocortex. Research suggests that walnuts may reduce the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Walnut – Wikipedia The high concentration of omega-3 fats in walnuts promotes healthy brain function. WHFoods: Walnuts
5. Kidney Beans, true to their name are kidney shaped. They provide nutrients that are helpful to the human kidneys. Kidney beans contain molybdenum, which helps sulfite oxidase to form and is responsible for detoxifying sulfites WHFoods: Kidney beans. Animal research has shown that chronic renal failure has been associated with oxidative stress Sulfite-mediated oxidative stress in kidney cells.
7. Avocados were used by the Aztecs as a sex stimulant and the Aztec name for avocado was ahuacatl, meaning “testicle” History of Avocados. An extract of avocado impedes the growth of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. WHFoods: Avocados
8. Figs have a rich history and often been referred to as a sexual food, this is partly symbolic due to the appearance of the fruit. Figs are loaded with seeds and when halved, many note a resemblance to female genitalia. The Hindu name for fig is anjeer and research has shown that anjeer is helpful for sexual weakness Ficus carica – medicinal plants. Figs have also been mentioned as a source helpful for male fertility and motility. Health-info.org
9. Oranges, Grapefruits and other Citrus fruits have been compared to the appearance of female mammary glands. These fruits contain nutrients that are helpful in the fight against breast cancer. Health Benefits of Citrus Limonoids Explored
10. Sliced Onions resemble skin cells and contain quercetin. Studies have shown when treated with a combination of quercetin and ultrasound at 20 kHz for 1-minute duration, skin and prostate cancers show a 90% mortality within 48 hours with no visible mortality of normal cells. Quercetin – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
11. Sweet Potatoes resemble the pancreas and have a low glycemic index count, which is beneficial for diabetics. North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission
12. Olives resemble ovaries and may help reduce hot flashes in women going through menopause. WHFoods: Olives Research indicates that Olive Oil may reduce ovarian cancer by 30%. ACS: Olive Oil May Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk
It’s been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish… all before making a human. God made and provided what we’d need before we were born. These foods are best and more powerful when eaten raw. God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
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A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye… and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. |
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A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food. |
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Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food. |
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A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. |
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Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys. |
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Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body. |
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Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female – they look just like these organs. Today’s research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (mo dern science has only studied and named about 141 of them). |
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Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility. |
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Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actual ly bal ance the glycemic index of diabetics. |
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Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries |
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Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just l ike the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. |
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Onions look like the body’s cells. Research shows onions clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. Garlic also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body. |
Tresses of Choice
August 27, 2009 by COREN BURCH
Filed under Beauty, Society & Culture
Check out this article (audio) on nytimes.com. Listen and tell us what you think.
“When it comes to straightening hair or letting it be natural, the choice still pushes deep emotional buttons for many African-American women. Others ask, why can’t hair just be hair? Nine black women discuss their hairstyles and the attitudes surrounding their hair.”
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/08/27/fashion/20090827-hair-interactive.html
Andrea’s Beau
July 12, 2009 by COREN BURCH
Filed under Beauty, Shopping
While reading a blog devoted to hair care, I ran across the company Andrea’s Beau. She specializes in hair ornaments for women and girls and I was blown away by her beautiful creations. Her intricate, detailed handywork would be a treasure for anyone desiring that special piece for that special occassion. With a background deeply rooted in fashion, it was only natural for Andrea to fall in love with color, textures, and fabrics. Here is the company’s mission:
Our primary goal is to create irresistibly pretty accessories for girls and women.
Andrea’s Beau products are handmade in the United States by a team of remarkable women who love the idea that their creations adorn girls and women throughout the world. Our flexible work schedules allow these women to balance their professional and private lives. We don’t outsource because we believe that the personal connection each of us feels toward our beautiful products fosters a joyful atmosphere in the workplace, results in superior workmanship, and elevates our brand.
Our goal is also to ensure that we reach excellence in customer service, environmental practices, and charitable acts. We measure our success by our own smiles at the end of a work day and by the outpouring of laudatory comments we receive from our customers.
Andrea’s Beau products can be purchased online or you may be able to find her products locally by searching at www.andreasbeau.com.
“Exquisite ribbon, a silk flower, beaded trim, a passementerie tassel… each inspires me to create ornaments that delight not only the wearer, but all who see her. If my designs evoke a delighted ‘ahhh!,’ I’m happy.”
— Andrea
God Honouring Weight Loss
May 27, 2009 by COREN BURCH
Filed under Beauty
What do you say to yourself when you look in the mirror?
Do you compliment yourself or are your eyes automatically drawn to the flaws that you see? If we are honest with ourselves, most of us are very critical of ourselves—in fact, we are our biggest critics.
Now let me ask you this—what do you think God says about you? Would God ever call you any of the unflattering names you call yourself?
David prayed to God that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart would
be pleasing in the Lord’s sight. Let that be your prayer also.
We sometimes say a lot of thoughtless and often self-deprecating things about ourselves—at times we are not even conscious of what we are saying.
Speak the word of God over your life. When Jesus was being tempted in the dessert he said that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of his mouth. He told us that every word we say can give us life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to make you more conscious of the negative words that you speak about yourself.
God will honor your request to release weight and live in good health, but you have to align your words with your desires. God honors commitment, not wants and wishes.
Try some of these tips to help you develop a positive attitude towards your body:
• Read something daily that supports your new level of awareness – a fitness magazine, motivational book, the Bible.
• Encourage someone else who is facing challenges similar to yours.
• Ask your friends and family to hold you accountable if they hear you speaking in non-supportive ways.
• Always speak in a positive way about your body, and other people’s bodies.
• See your health as a lifelong journey that constantly ebbs and flows — you are not your weight and you are not your appearance only.
• Cultivate a sense of gratitude for everything — gratitude cultivates positivity. Write down the things you are grateful for, so you don’t forget, and start with gratitude for your health daily.
• Revel in the mundane about your body — walking, moving, and eating, for example – these are privileges that not everyone gets to experience.
Source: http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=86413
Is Your Hair Keeping You From Exercising?
May 13, 2009 by COREN BURCH
Filed under Beauty
African-American women and their hair, where do we begin? I found a news clip speaking about why some black women don’t exercise-trying to keep their hair straight. I found it rather interesting because this is a conversation that many of us have had amongst our girlfriends, but I’ve never heard it outside of that. Having been natural for a year, I must say that this is not a problem for me now. Take a look and tell us what you think!
httpv://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/black_hair_2_apr09
Kitchen Beauticians
May 6, 2009 by COREN BURCH
Filed under Beauty
Here is an interesting article about ingredients in your cabinet that are beneficial to your hair. Please read and be enlightened!
http://www.theroot.com/views/kitchen-beauticians
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