YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

What you eat, determines not only how you look but how you feel.  Diet is extremely important if you want to have the healthiest hair and skin possible.   The hair papilla that lies at the root of the hair follicle receives its nourishment from the quality of the blood.  Life and death is always in the quality of the blood.  Feed your body the best quality vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains and legumes that you can afford.  It will really make a difference in the quality of hair that that grows from your scalp.  I have seen over the years how some women and mens hair loss is a result of what they put in there bodies.  Avoid the fast and processed foods that contain many chemicals that have been linked to hair loss and cancer.  If you do not take care of you who will?

WVON RADIO INTERVIEW

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to inform you all that I will be on the radio (WVON 1690 AM) this week. The information is as follows. Please tell all of your family and friends to tune in this week. Thursday, Sept. 13th, from 8:35am - 8:45am. I will be speaking about fall tips for hair health.  Please post and tweet my info to people you know. Also remind them to like the Ashley Lauren page.

Thanks much,

FDA Considers Lead Limits For Lipstick

FDA Considers Lead Limits For Lipstick. The FDA has found low levels of lead in 400 brands of lipstick, prompting a coalition of advocacy groups called the campaign for safe cosmetics to renew and push for strict limits on the neurotoxin metal in cosmetics. For more information on this topic see http://www.cen-online.org/ Ashley Lauren

Chemical & Engineering News | Serving the chemical, life sciences and laboratory worlds

http://www.cen-online.org/

Natural Cosmetic Companies Sued For Mislabeling Products

 Cosmetic products are far less regulated than you might think, and now several popular hair and skin care companies are being sued over their use of the word "organic." While companies claim their products are more natural than that of their competitors, a watchdog group found many products don't have the required amount of organic ingredients, and some even contain potentially toxic chemicals.

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) filed a class action lawsuit against 26 cosmetics companies for allegedly violating a California law that says products must contain at least 70% organic ingredients to use the term on packaging.

CEH decided to file the suit after its researchers performed tests on beauty items bought at several Bay Area stores including Target, Walgreens, and Whole Foods. Based on their ingredients lists, these "organic" products contained very few, or in some cases no ingredients considered organic. The group said in a press release:

Some of the "organic" labeled products contain ingredients linked to health concerns. For example, a "Kids Hair Softening System" made by the company "Organics by Africa's Best" contains BHA and cocamide DEA, chemicals that have been classified as cancer-causing by government agencies, triethanolamine, which has caused asthma in exposed workers, and parabens, chemicals that have disrupted hormones in laboratory tests. The package, colorfully decorated with images of young girls, warns: "Keep away from eyes. Can cause blindness…Serious injury can result…if ingested…" and "Keep out of reach of children."

CEH has compiled a list of all 26 brands named in the suit and an example of one of the allegedly mislabeled items, though there are many more. If you've bought any so called natural beauty product in the past few years, there's a good chance items made by these companies are in your home.

•  Namasté Laboratories: Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Pak
• Kinky-Curly Hair Care: Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz
• Curls, LLC: Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream Organic Shampoo
• Shea Moisture, Sundial Brands/ Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture  Shampoo
• Nubian Heritage Group/Sundial Group LLC: Coconut & Papaya with Vanilla Bean  Body Wash
• Advantage Research Laboratories, Inc./Murray's Worldwide, Inc.: Parnevu T-Tree No Lye  Relaxer
•  Strength of Nature Global, LLC: Elasta QP Intense Fortifying Hair Conditioning Treatment
• Colomer U.S.A.: Crème of Nature Kiwi & Citrus Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo
•  Aubrey Organics, Inc: Collagen & Almond Enriching Moisturizing Lotion
• Beauty Without Cruelty/Lotus Brands, Inc: Organic Aromatherapy Facial Cleanser
• Boots Retail USA Inc: Boots Amazon Forest Brazil Nut & Vanilla Body Wash
• California Inside & Out, Inc: Out of Africa Handwash Tea Tree with Essential Oil
• Cosway Company, Inc/Head Organics Company: Clearly Head Conditioner
• derma e® Natural Bodycare/Stearns Products, Inc: Psorzema Body Wash
• Hain Celestial Group: Jason Thin-to-Thick Conditioner and Baby Avalon Organics Silky  Baby Powder
• House of Cheatham, Inc: Organics by Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise
• International Trade Routes of New York, Inc/Laboratorios Phergal: Naturtint Green Technologies Kiss My Face Corporation: Hold Up Styling Mousse
• Lafe's Natural BodyCare/Lafe T. Larson, Inc: Deodorant Stone With Holder
• Morrocco Method, Inc: Euro Organic Oil Simply Pure Hair & Scalp Therapy
• Nature's Baby Products, Inc: Nature's Baby ORGANICS Shampoo & Body Wash in Vanilla-Tangerine Scent or Lavender-Chamomile Scent
• Nutrition Resource, Inc. dba NutriBiotic: NutriBiotic Everyday Clean Conditioner Botanical Blend
• Rainbow Research Corporation: Rainbow Baby Oh Baby Unscented Organic Herbal Shampoo
• Renpure, L.L.C: Renpure Organics I Love My Hair! Body and Shine Shampoo
• The Himalaya Drug Company: Organique by Himalaya Toothpaste
• Todd Christopher International, Inc/Vogue International: Hydrating Teatree Mint Conditioner
• Cosway Company, Inc/Head Organics Company: Clearly Head Conditioner

If these claims are proven to be true, these brands are going to have plenty of upset customers.   Consumers need to investigate the brands and the products that they are using.  Always go with a trusted manufacturer that you know something about.  Manufacturers need to be concerned with more than just profits.  Consumers also deserve truth in labeling.  When we read the packaging on bottles or jars the ingredients should be there and they should be safe!

Georgia The Chemist

Greetings!

Hello Ladies and Gents,

I hope all is well with your health and your hair.  I know that it has been a minute since I updated my blog.  I have been busy in the laboratory making hair and skin care products.   I am super passionate about beautiful skin and healthy, growing, strong hair.  I hope that you all have been taking good care of yours.  Remember that it is very important  to cover your hair during theses winter months.  Don't forget to use your jojoba oil on a regular basis to guarantee lovely tresses this spring.
Ashley Lauren will have a new skin cream available this year for (Melasma) Dark Spots on the face. 
Stay tuned:
Yours truly,
Georgia The Chemist

Seasonal Hair Loss

Some of my clients have expressed that they notice more hair shedding in the winter months, so I decided to comment on seasonal hair loss.  Our hair goes through stages anagen, catagen and telegen where it grows, rest and is shed from the hair follicle during its life cycle.  During the winter seasons some people have a higher percentage of hairs in the telegen stage, so they will see increased hairs in the comb.  Now is a good time to provide your hair and scalp with special care.  Shampoo your hair less frequently and moisturize it more.  You should apply extra Jojoba Hair Oil or Leave In conditioner to your hair  to keep it nourished and hydrated during the winter months.  Don't forget to cover your hair with a nice scarf  or hat to help protect your hair from the harsh winter weather.  I hope this information is helpful.

Types of Hair Loss

Hair loss occurs do to a variety of reasons.  They can be internal or external.  A consultation, along with a microscopic examination of your hairs chemical structure and scalp condition,  by a qualified medical professional will help you make an informed decision regarding your hair loss.  Listed below are some forms of hair loss.

 

Andogenetic Alopecia

Androgenic alopecia can be caused by a variety of factors usually, tied to a genetic predisposition,  hormones, pregnancy, and menopause. The hormone DHT appears to be  partially the blame for the miniaturization of hair follicles in men and women suffering with male\female pattern baldness. Heredity also plays a major factor in the disease.

Telogen Effluvium

When your body goes through something traumatic like surgery, major dietary changes  ill health or  heavy stress, many of the  hairs in the anagen (growing) phase can shift all at once into the shedding (telogen) phase. About 6 weeks to three months after the stressful event is usually when the condition telogen effluvium can begin.

Anagen Effluvium

Anagen effluvium occurs after any insult to the hair follicle that impairs its metabolic activity. This hair loss is commonly associated with chemotherapy. Since chemotherapy targets your body’s rapidly dividing  cells, your body’s other rapidly dividing cells such as hair follicles  are also greatly affected. 

Traction Alopecia

This condition is caused by localized trauma to the hair follicles from tight hairstyles such as pony tails, braids, corn rows, wigs etc. If the condition is detected early enough, the hair will regrow.  

Alopecia Areata
This has shown to be related to the immune system.  If you think that you might have this condition, you should see your doctor immediately.

Will hair products help my hair grow thicker?

Some products will and some will not.  Our natural  hair products will help your hair grow in  thicker and stronger  if your follicles are intact. Ashley Lauren’s hair products accelerates the growth rate of your hair by allowing your scalp to receive more oxygen to the hair follicle, thus preventing your scalp from becoming clogged with substances that can stunt hair growth and contribute to thinning. General health, age, diet and hair styling choices will also affect the speed at which your  hair grows.  You are always welcome to come in for a consultation or see your doctor.

Georgia The Chemist