Parabens are in our makeup, skincare, and haircare. So, are they bad for you? Are they harmless? Do they make a difference in the quality of your products?
We here at Vida Bars believe parabens can be harmful to your hair, skin, and health. But, the real question is: Why are parabens bad for your hair? We'll explain in this post.
Parabens and their Purpose
Parabens are a preservative added to beauty products that extend their shelf life. They prevent products from developing bacteria, fungus, mold, or any of the other repulsive gunk we don't want in our beauty routines. Preservatives are necessary in beauty products. But they're not worth including when they cause the damage that parabens can cause.
Butylparaben, Methylparaben, and Propylparaben are some parabens you may find on your beauty products. These are the most common parabens and have been around since the 1950s. But the safety of parabens became a concern in 2004 after a study revealed traces of the chemical in the tissue of breast cancer patients. The study made it clear that its results don't mean parabens cause cancer but that parabens can pass through our skin into our tissue. There also is concern that parabens mimic estrogen, interrupting the endocrine system and potentially causing reproductive health issues.
While these things are a risk, the U.S. doesn't outlaw parabens because they are typically well-tolerated by humans.
But, parabens also place risk on the environment. Another study revealed that products people use and wash into the sewage system are fed into the environment. Releasing chemicals into the ocean can affect marine mammals.
There is still no solid evidence that parabens cause cancer in humans or marine mammals. This lack of concrete evidence is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate them. The risk is there, but the guaranteed diagnosis of cancer is not. The important thing is to understand what parabens are and decide whether the risk is worth it to you.
Why Parabens are Bad for Your Hair
You're probably still thinking, "Okay, Vida Bars, but why are parabens bad for your hair?" Parabens can cause drying of the hair, irritation of the scalp, fading of hair color, and even hair loss.
So, while you may have a product with extended shelf life, you could be acquiring damage and less than desirable results in your mane, Curlfriend. Drying, fading, irritation, and hair loss will end up costing you more time and money in the long run, so why take the risk? Use high-quality products to prevent backtracking or attempting to undo damage later.
Another not-so-fun fact: some people also believe parabens contribute to eczema. If you treat eczema or attempt to avoid flare-ups regularly, parabens in your products could cause increased skin irritation.
Researchers also detected parabens in people's urine and the bloodstream. These findings mean that, whatever you put on your hair and scalp, sinks into your pores and bloodstream. Do you have the heebie-jeebies after reading that? We certainly do. Yuck. This fact alone could be a good enough reason to avoid hair care ingredients that include parabens.
Lucky for you, Vida Bars includes zero parabens, so there isn't even a risk of exposure. And at the end of the day, no risk with Vida Bars is undoubtedly better than a small risk with a product that includes parabens!
The Vida Bar Promise
Vida Bars contain only the best ingredients. We ensure that we never use sulfates, silicones, drying alcohols, parabens, or harsh chemicals. Even without preservatives such as parabens, Vida Bars still have a shelf life of a whole year. That's a hot minute to enjoy and experience quality hair care while improving hair health, reducing your carbon footprint, and lowering overall risk.
Our goal has always been to help your hair health and the environment, not hurt it. In short, treat your curls and the environment with the utmost care. You can begin with small steps like eliminating parabens and plastic bottles from your beauty routine.
If you made the mistake of using harmful chemicals or ingredients on your hair, know that you're not alone. Your hair is not beyond repair! You've come to the right place because we have shampoo and conditioner bars for just about any hair concern you have.
All curls and hair, in general, are unique, which means that each person's shampoo and conditioner should differ. We are no longer using our mom's "sleek and shine" shampoo or your boyfriend's 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, babe!
We're using quality ingredients. We're using environmentally friendly packaging. We're using Vida Bars. And so should you!