WHAT am I putting in my hair?
Reflections on the eclipse and lessons learned at a hair conference.
Hello dear readers! I’m writing to you from Dallas, Texas where I was one of the lucky millions to experience totality in the eclipse yesterday. Gathered with hundreds of dermatologists and scientists on the roof terrace of a hotel in downtown Dallas, I shared the incredible experience of day shifting to night and back again over the period of minutes. It was the first time I’ve ever had the chance to experience a total eclipse. It was a breathtaking experience.
Beyond the pull of the moon and sun, the reason I’m in Dallas is that I am a speaker and session chair at the 13th World Congress for Hair Research. I’ve seen some incredible presentations and there is much to digest. Top among these is that there is clear scientific evidence that psychological stress is linked to greying of the hair (but that it may be reversible if stress levels are lowered in time) and that I may be putting things in my hair that are horrible for the environment (and maybe my own health)!!
There is a lot that I need to unpack from these lectures, and many scientific studies that I need to read, but I am definitely taking a closer look at my hair and body care products after these lectures. Chief among them, I’m looking for signs of silcones in the ingredients. Unfortunately, I’ve already seen dimethicone (a type of silicone) in one of my favorite hair products. There's some research indicating that silicones could be bad for the environment. They might build up in nature and harm fish, wildlife, and natural systems. I need to read up on this, but for now—based on some of the lessons shared in today’s sessions at the conference—I’m concerned. How many “forever” chemicals do we use on a daily basis without really understanding what is in our beauty/cosmetic, personal hygiene, and haircare products?
I don’t have many answers for you in today’s post. It is more of a reflection on things I plan to research and share with you soon.
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a scientist, author, speaker, podcast host, wife, mother, explorer, and professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She teaches college courses and leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription, with founding members receiving an autographed 1st edition hardcover copy of her book, The Plant Hunter.
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