Shampoo Free Regimen

This is when you use alternative methods of cleansing the hair and scalp. You can use baking soda and water or vinegar and water or just use conditioner to cleanse your hair. Lorraine Massey is the author of the book "Curly Girl" where she explains the conditioner washing technique. 

The theory is that sulfates in shampoo especially the ones that end in yl(example sodium lauryl sulfate) cause curly hair to be stripped of it's natural moisture leaving it dry and brittle. Instead of using harsh sulfate shampoos the hair is cleansed with conditioner. This works best with light conditioners that do not contain silicone.  

If you or someone that you know suffers from allergies,chronic eye irritation,or hair loss check the ingredients in your personal care products.
 
Examples of sulfates are listed below

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate-removes oils from the skin, and can cause skin and eye irritation

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate-In high concentrations this molecule may cause severe irritation to eyes and skin. Inhalation may cause irritation to the respiratory system. Ingestion may cause irritation, nausea or diarrhea

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate-advertised as mild but it cleanses by causing corrosion..dries out skin by stripping it of it's protective barrier throwing off the skins ability to replenish it's natural moisture 

Sodium Myreth Sulfate- milder but it can cause allergic reactions  

Sodium Laureth Sulfate-Not as harsh as SLS but some evidence suggests that it can cause mild irritation after extended exposure. Gentle enough to be used in baby products.

Search Wikipedia for more info on any of these

Silicones are used in hair and skin to provide a protective barrier that protects from moisture loss.Silicones are also used to protect the hair from the heat of curling irons and blow dryers. For those that suffer with tangles you can use silicone to smooth the cuticle and detangle the hair. You can apply silicone serum to the hair prior to relaxing the new growth to protect the previously processed hair. Silicone offers slip(silkiness)for ease in styling resulting in less broken hair during combing and brushing.   

Silicone Use with Skin and Hair


Silicone can buildup and block your hair from receiving moisture. It requires a shampoo containing a surfactant to remove(example Cocomidopropyl Betaine,sodium laureth sulfate)I use silicone serum in my hair for styling and I use my moisturizing shampoo(sulfate free contains Cocomidopropyl Betaine)) to remove the silicone without a problem.   

Unmodified silicones will stay on or near the surface of the skin. The molecules too big to physically enter past the upper living cells They cannot penetrate cell membranes due to their large size. 

Cyclomethicones are unmodified silicones. They evaporate quickly after helping to carry oils into the top layer of epidermis. From there, they may be absorbed by the skin. Cyclomethicones offer similar function in hair care products by helping nutrients enter the hair shaft.

Dimethicones are also unmodified silicones. They form a barrier layer on the skin which must be renewed as the skin sloughs off. Dimethicones coat the surface of the hair and lubricate it, improving combing providing detangling, and thus, hair loss and breakage.

Silicones form a protective layer which helps prevent transdermal water loss -- a very useful characteristic for many products. Silicon act to seal moisture into the hair, which helps prevent many kinds of damage.