Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff Shampoo

August 10th, 2010

Scalp Care For Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis

Most people think more about their hair than their scalp.  The truth is that beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp.  Scalp care is an important part of hair care. 

The scalp requires a delicate balance of oil.  An extremely dry scalp or oily scalp can lead to all sorts of problems.  When the scalp is dry the hair follicle tends to be left open allowing dirt and bacteria to be trapped.  This leads to pimples and scalp acne breakouts.  It can also result in a condition known as folliculitis.  Bumps on the head are usually itchy and can be hard to treat because they are covered in hair.  They must be dealt with differently than other skin breakouts. 

An oily scalp can produce seborrhea also known as seborrheic dermatitis and other scalp conditions.  Too much oil on the scalp can become trapped in and around the hair follicle leading to breakouts.  It can also trap bacteria.  Fungus feeds on oil and can spread rapidly when there is extra oil on the scalp.  Most dandruff outbreaks are attributed to an excess of fungus on the scalp.  Other conditions that can occur when the scalp is out of balance are psoriasis, eczema, and seborrhic dermatitis.  All of these conditions are troublesome and can be hard to get rid of once established.

Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis

The best scalp care involves creating the proper oil balance.  Balancing the scalp will remedy current problems and help you avoid future scalp issues.  Many commercial products contain harsh chemicals that take away too much oil leaving the scalp dry.  Natural products are a better way to go.  Some of the best natural ingredients for scalp care are jojoba oil, emu oil, tea tree oil, and zinc pca.  These ingredients are great for naturally and gently cleaning the scalp when it comes to scalp conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.  Zinc pca and jojoba oil are also very good at regulating the amount of oil produced by the sebum gland.  A balanced scalp is healthy and will help produce beautiful hair.

Paraben Free Skin Care and Hair Care Products

May 21st, 2010

Why Choose Paraben Free Skin Care

Parabens can be found in many healthcare products like shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansers, and toothpastes.   In fact, so many personal care products contain parabens that they are hard to avoid.   They are used in these products as a preservative.   There are a variety of parabens including methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl.  They can also often be found in pharmaceuticals and some food. 

So why should parabens be avoided?  Many studies have been done and there is evidence that parabens can be very bad for you.  They are easily absorbed directly through the skin.  They can mimic the hormone estrogen, which has been shown to aid in the development of breast cancer.  They have also been shown to have a potential adverse affect on the reproductive health of both men and women.  In some studies parabens have been shown to disrupt endocrine in women.  They have been linked to other forms of cancer as well.  One paraben, Methylparaben, has actually been banned in the United Kingdom for use in all fragrances. 

It is also believed that parabens have an affect on development of adults and children.  The exact reason it has these affects are not know.  But it is best not to take the risk when there are good alternative available.  Instead you can use natural products without parabens.  Because so many products and popular brand names contain parabens you have to check you labels closely.  Even products labeled organic may contain parabens.  With a little homework it is possible to find good products that are labeled paraben free.