Last week I met up with my friend whom I haven’t seen for ages.  She also has a son with autism so it’s nice to meet up with our “special” boys.

Usually, my friend is very hair conscious and is always having it cut and coloured, because like most of us as we age, she’s getting a few grey hairs.

Okay – a lot of grey hairs!

Anyway, much to my surprise, my friend had let her colour grow out and said she was going to just going to go grey naturally, like me. 

I stopped colouring my hair several years ago after I discovered I had mercury poisoning caused by my teeth.

My friend said she was fed up of all the hassle and expense of having her hair done every few weeks. Also, she was concerned about all the chemicals in the hair products.

She should be.

Not only do all the lab-generated, synthetic chemicals in most hair care products seep into our scalps, but also billions of toxic chemicals waft into the air, get washed down the drains into our ground water, and then get in the food chain.

It’s no wonder there are so many illnesses around.

The thing is, even if we do disguise our age on the outside, we can’t stop the internal clock.  I’m not suggesting we should all “let ourselves go”, but just be more cautious about how and why we want to create a false standard of beauty and aging.

I read something the other day that compared our lives to the seasons.

In Spring, we burst forth in life so fresh, smooth and delicate and with such possibility, the whole world wants to embrace us.

In Summer, we bloom bright and beautiful, and with such strong potential, it takes the breath away.

In Autumn, we start to change, but with such grace and loveliness, people want to bask in the sheer joy of our experience and calm.

In Winter, we get to rest, reflect, rejoice in the life we’ve built, taking all in with the wisdom and sagacity of one who has been there and knows, and can now sit back and simply enjoy.

My friend and I are both in the Autumn of our lives, and hopefully if we avoid as many toxic chemicals as possible, we’ll both get to Winter.

Incidentally, you might want to check what’s in your hair care products. You can discover some nasty ones here – http://www.bestorganicsforhealth.com/toxicingredients.html

Be particularly wary if you if you see these –

Cocoamide DEA (diethanolamine) – is a detergent that causes allergic reactions, including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin and can be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Propylene Glycol – is a petroleum derivative and industrial antifreeze. EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles , and because it penetrates the skin so quickly the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate,  Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate – is used in car washes and engine degreasers, and in 90% of products that foam.  It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation that it “comes from coconut”.  Animals exposed to SLS and ALS experience eye damagae, central nervous system depression, laboured breathing, dirrhea, severe skin irritation and even death.

Suttocide (sodium hydroxymethylglycinate) is a formaldehyde releasing preservative used in many “natural” shampoos.  Formaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen and is extremely toxic when inhaled or swallowed.

Fragrances can contain allergens and sensitisers, which can trigger asthma attacks.  Fragrances also contain chemicals called phthalates, which are hormone disrupters that can affect foetal development and fertility as well as damage sperm in men.

Ext.  D & C synthetic colours are made from coal tar and are certified safe for drugs and cosmetics but not for food.  Toxic coal tar has been shown to be carcinogenic in animal tests and many people are allergic to it.

So you see, the potential side effects of  synthetic chemicals can be pretty nasty, especially if you allow the toxins to build up in your body over time, so my friend has made a wise decision.

Just in case you haven’t read my free skincare report, I’ll just remind you, your skin will absorb up to 60% of whatever you put on it.  If you want to reach your Winter, you might want to read a few labels and maybe change your products to ones which actually feed and nourish your crowning glory

- or even just your scalp!

Take care

Jean