Salon Allergy Specialist

Salon Allergy Specialist

Monday, October 3, 2016

Jessica Alba was in the ER, Allergy to her Hair Products

I just was told last week that Jessica Alba, went to the emergency room with infected cornea's from her hair products. They wanted to know if this was an allergic reaction to hair color, or PPD. I told this person that I needed more information, as I hadn't hear about this myself. So, I looked it up when I got home. Yup, THE Jessica Alba, was indeed in the ER, on Father's Day, with a "Severe Allergic Reaction" in her words, and then put on antibiotics.

http://www.self.com/story/jessica-alba-went-to-the-emergency-room-because-of-her-awful-reaction-to-a-hair-product


Of course, the mix of ingredients in her products BEFORE this newest batch came out were NOT in my opinion the best, but apparently, she found that out the hard way. This is a good example of YES, YOU CAN HAVE A SEVERE REACTION FROM OTHER THINGS BESIDES PPD! Formaldehyde, curse you!

Jessica is now doing better, and as the article says. They removed the formaldehyde, and I think it's a much better product.

Could this lead to more cross reactions for Jessica? Absolutely. I hope that she is spared. If not, She can always view the lists on www.PPDinHairDye.com that I've done, or the lists here. There is always the consulting that I do as well. Best of luck to her.

Gina 

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

PPD ALLERGY connected to scalp conditions...information gathering


A little help from my friends...




I need to do a little research! I would like to hear from people! How many people have had dandruff, or Seborrhea before, or after having a color allergy? How many have had Hair loss? How about BOTH? Please send me your information:

Beanner468@gmail.com
Image result for scalp psoriasis
extreme scalp psoriasis, not dandruff

I'm beginning to suspect that there is a connection between the intensifying resistance between fungal infections in humans. Since I have been studying this, I have learned that many of the people have fungal issues, some on the scalp, some in other areas. Since they are largely a systemic problem, hugely fed by our addictions to sugar, it may account for some of the growing dermal breakdown. 


To combat this, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for all things. There is a great shampoo, you may want to check with your doctor before trying it, Nizorol. (Nizorol is blue, be careful) It's very expensive, $18-20, but it can help if using a solution of 25% ACV to 75% water as a hair rinse (don't rinse out!) doesn't help.
Image result for Nizoral

I also recommend soaking pillow cases in a 5 gallon laundry basin. I fill it up with luke warm water, and 2 generous cups of ACV. 15 minutes to 2 hours. I wring them out and wash them. I also don't use fabric softener, I use a Downey Ball filled with white vinegar, and use white vinegar in the area made for fabric softener. I do use a dryer sheet. (okay, I use a wash cloth with essential oils...)

Image result for vinegar

For any kind of hair items, pony tail holders, head bands, barretts, combs, pics, brushes, or anything I missed, clean any hair or debris. Then soak in a large bowl of hot water. I do this in the tub, with the fan on. I pour about a half a cup of cleaning ammonia in the bowl. I leave the bathroom. You MUST not mix any BLEACH WITH ANY AMMONIA! THE FUMES ARE TOXIC AND WILL KILL YOU! -I go back 30-40 minutes later, dump the bowl, and rinse it all down the tub drain. You should only need to do this a few times, and then if you do it once a month or so, you can use ACV. 

PILLOWS - I spray mine with a water bottle filled with 25% ACV and 75% water on a hot sunny day out side. My mother used to put them in the washing machine. I did that ONCE! I had the stuffing all over! I guess they don't make pillows the way they used to...lol 
I also use an allergen zip cover on all our pillows under the pillow cases now. That helps. 

Don't forget the throw pillows on the couch, the blankets, the actual couch, chairs, winter hats, coats, baseball hats, mittens, SOCKS, UNDERWARE, they all will need to be treated. Socks and underware need to be treated at every washing. It sounds horrible, but it's not so bad. Vinegar is cheap. 

There is a quick way to kill fungus. The microwave. HOWEVER...I WILL WARN YOU! The first week I "nuked" a few things, I burned the important part out of my favorite panties, and I had a lightening storm in there because of a few safety pins in my new bathing suit I forgot about... O_o  I mostly use VINEGAR. 

It's September, and it's going up to 90! woo hoo! I love it! Email me! -Gina

*on a side note - many dandruff shampoo's are blue. If you have a blue dye allergy, please be careful of this!!









Thursday, July 14, 2016

PPD ALTERNATIVE: Natural Hair Coloring; with my friend Christine Shahin

I promised that I would blog about a friend of mine, from Little Falls, New York. This incredible little ball of fire, is Christine Shahin, woman, wife, daughter, mother, gardener, herbalist, earth keeper, hairdresser, author, Goddess, BEAUTY.

Her new book, complete with several formula's, is something I am recommending to ALL OF MY CLIENTS. If you are even thinking of trying some natural pigments, buy this book. My only advice, swap out the lemon juice or other liquid for hibiscus tea. It's better for your scalp, and more gentle. You may click on the hilighted link to go to amazon.com for purchase. Thank you!

Natural Hair Coloring By Christine Shahin

This is my copy.


The best part about this blog, that I know ALL of my readers and clients will be SO happy to hear, Christine is retailing her pigments! (cassia, amla, henna, and indigo) She is ordering from a company that tests EACH batch the same as the previous brand of product that we both have used in the past. 

Here is the link for Christine's pigments:




Having this book is like having one of us with you when you color. If you have been shy, it will give you confidence, as it has real photos, real before and afters, and detailed explanations. I have read mine several times, and I still find myself looking back through it. 

  I have been blessed to have met Christine. I hope that all of you take a few minutes and connect with her as well. She truly is a GODDESS!


Happy Summer!
Gina

Thursday, June 23, 2016

PPD LAW SUIT, Just For Men Class Action Suit

Finally, there is a law firm willing to take on the US Government! Many of us have been working towards this, but have had no luck. Now, we have started to turn the corner! True to my word, they are going after the WARNING LABLE IN THE BOX. Before I get too much further, here is a link to the actual site, in case you may have had a reaction to this color.


https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/328614-just-for-men-hit-with-another-class-action-over-allergic-reactions/

I would like to note that the company that owns Just For Men, is the Combe Company. They discovered Clearasil, but sold it. They currently own Vagisil, Sea-Bond, and Grecian Formula, along with Just For Men.

If you haven't been reading my blog, then you may not know that the FDA doesn't have control ove coal tar hair dyes, our Congress actually does. The large companies that make hair color spend millions of dollars in lobby money to make sure that Congress doesn't change the laws with coal tar hair dyes. These companies include, Proctor & Gamble, Coty inc., Loreal, Unilever, The Lauder Companies, Shiseido, Avon, Kaneno, and Alticor/amway.

There are smaller companies, of course, but how much influence they can have on Congress, in can't say. I can say that when one of the above companies chooses to purchase a brand, they spend billions. It makes the news, but it seems like the public never hears about it. I'll use The Lauder Companies as an example.

I used to sell Aveda products at the last salon I worked at. I also sold it when I was working alone a few years before that, so a total of 18 years. Aveda was purchased by the Lauders. They also own:

Aerin
Aramis
Aveda
Bobbi Brown
Bumble & Bumble
Cliniquè
Darphine
DKNY
Frèdèric Malle
Ermenegildo zegna
Estèe Lauder
Glamglow
Goodskin Labs
Jo Malone
Kiton
La Mer
Lab Series
Le Labo
MAC
Marni
Michael Kors
Ojon
 Osaio
Prescriptives
Rodin Olio Lusso
Smashbox
Tommy Hilfiger
Tory Birch

So, you see how one company owns many companies. The reason is for marketing. Each makeup line is marketed to a different age group, and a different target market. The diversity allows for some balance if there is a dip in sales in one area. MAC is sold in the juniors department, with rock music. The target audience? Unisex and youth. Ever wonder what shade of eye liner Ozzy Ozborn wears? Check out the latest MAC. Bobbi Brown is marketed towards the 40-50 group. Estèe Lauder, marketed to 55 and up. Prescriptives is marketed to anyone with sensitive skin. Clinique is marketed to 20-35 conservatives. Smashbox is marketed to the 18-30 fun lovers.

So, this multi-billion dollar company can easily spend money to lobby in Washington. As can all of the others. What this accomplishes is an industry that is basically
*self  regulated
*make their own safe guards
*and they create their own education.

Patch testing will only protect the company, not the client. The first time you come into contact with hair color, you can not t react. Only on the second exposure can you react. Thus, protecting THE MANUFACTURER.

I also have documents proving that hair color can cause cancer, and the US chose to lie about it. Instead of letting us make our own choice. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to put photos on here since they have changed it, AGAIN.

I really wish that they would stop changing things that are an easy one click to a bunch of  do this, and that, and a password, then click here. Some of us have had to re-learn this crap over 20 times now, it's getting old! Sorry about the rant!

If you used Just For Men, and you were Allergic, go get signed up!

-Gina





Wednesday, May 4, 2016

PPD ALLERGY: Anyone in the U.S. Willing to Share?

Hi to all of my readers out there!

 I know that I've asked this for other areas before, now I'm asking for the United States. If you have photographs, and a story to tell about PPD, now is your chance! The story will run in Great Britain.

Please contact me!

You can also contact Josh, the journalist. He promises he will be won't bite!

ginamarietaro@gmail.com

joshuasaunders@catersnews.com

On another note:

I currently am working on the 'caine problems. I reacted to Lidocaine. I recently discovered it was because of the preservative. I'm attempting to find out about getting a special mix without it. I'll post when I know more.
G.T.

Monday, March 21, 2016

PPD HAIR COLOR FACTS: how do 3 million + a year in the U.S. alone sneak by

I took some numbers and broke them down for a comparison. I used the 1950 numbers to compare to 2013 so we had something to compare to. I hear from so many clients, both WOMEN AND MEN, from as young as 14, about their allergy. Remember, this is what the insert warning says in each box of color:


Caution –This product contains ingredients which may cause skin irritation on certain individuals and a preliminary test according to accompanying directions should first be made. This product must not be used for dyeing the eyelashes or the eyebrows; to do so may cause blindness.” 


http://asbcouncil.org/sites/default/files/library/docs/crs_report_fda_regulation_of_cosmetics_and_personal_care_products.pdf


The link above is a 2012 FDA report that explains how they have tried to alter the 1938 law, along with the Government Office of Accountability, and other policy makers. (See pages 15-19) I'll do my best to not get on my soap box.

It was easier to get the additional print for toxic shock syndrome, which was put in the insert within tampon boxes.   Don't get me wrong, it was just as serious. Both subjects deserve more than a printed insert. The firm number I found today was 6-17 women per 100,000 in the United States.

https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/8852185/Kohen.html?sequence=2

 I find that the argument of these numbers should make it almost laughable that the insert for hair color not be changed immediately. Why is it that Congress seems to forget that they work for us? I have heard from many individual congress persons who were wonderful. As a group, what are they thinking!? These numbers DONT LIE.

1950 60,000,000 60mill women
7% colored hair 4,200,000
6% allergic= 252,000

2013 73,000,000 73mill women
75% color 54,000,000 54mill
6% allergic= 3,285,000. 

Remember, this is only adult women in the US, no teens, no men. The insert says you MIGHT get a rash. 

Send ME you're photos, I will crop out faces, or blur them. Everyone is anonymous with me. ginamarietaro@gmail.com

Thank you!
Gina



Saturday, March 5, 2016

PPD FREE COLOR HAIR PRINT! 100% non-toxic, pigment free! New color on the block fills huge gap on the market

 I've spent some time with this new color, Hairprint, and it's really fabulous. I thought that I would explain the background of the color, the people behind it, as well as the ingredients. This is perfect for the cool colored browns, dark browns, very dark browns, and blacks that we are not quite able to get without the PPD. When you order, mention that you heard about it from Gina, so we can try to keep track of who orders. :)

NOTE - Hairprint works best on hair that is less than 50% GREY

http://www.myhairprint.com/

Hairprint is actually based on an old principal, but of course it has been mixed with knowledge of current, safer, chemistry. The process is a basic metallic salt color formulation. I suspect that this has been used as far back as Ancient Greece, but I can trace it back as far as Ancient Rome. If you are thinking that this is your grandfathers' Grecian Formula, with the green tint, that everyone knew was still grey, you would be wrong. This is actually an amazing product. I put it through some intense sun, boating, swimming, and there wasn't any green, ever. I hope that clears up any questions on the "green". It's just a classification, one that the company seems to not say. It is also classified as a permanent color, but to get a better grasp on how it works, let's call it a "progressive" permanent color. That means that you have to layer the color in "progressive" layers to achieve the full color results on white hair. This is why each package comes with three applications, but to be applied in one sitting, for 10 minutes each. Sound confusing? It's not, once you figure it out. The first product is actually a pre-shampoo product, that comes in a small packet. Then there are two applications that are the same, a liquid bottle, and a packet of powder, one set marked 1, one set marked 2. The last set, marked 3 is slightly different, but not by much. It helps to set the color.




I've changed what I apply the color with a bit. I need two pairs of gloves, as I poke through the gloves provided straight away. I also found the brush too messy to try to scoop up the color. I use a small wooden spoon.  The color grips the wood, and I can scoop some of the color to areas around the head that are vertical. Since I've found that speed is the most important factor, I apply the color to the most resistant grey first. -unless I'm trying to achieve a special look...

The best part about this color is its versatility. It's limitations are only as far as your mind can take you. Sometimes I like to blend into the roots so regrowth is softer, or on the first application do less so the change is subtle. I like to use it as a blender color on clients that have a lot of grey, by starting the application in the back, and moving towards the front, leaving it lighter and less covered around the face, think Elizabeth Taylor, but more towards the brown shades.

Of course, the number one reason that I use this is because it is PPD FREE. In fact, it's PIGMENT FREE. The people that have founded this company swear by the color so much, they have actually consumed it! How many color companies can say that they have actually eaten some of their color? NONE! The ingredients are:

Water, goes without saying
Baking Soda, in your kitchen 
Mucuna Pruriens, The velvet bean, often used for healthy smoothies!
Sodium Carbonate, a base, sometimes used as an electrolyte, naturally occurring 
Carbomer ** a thickener, think fairy dust! 
Hydrogen Peroxide, The peroxide percentage is very small. It is actually dissipated by the time you are applying. 
Diatomaceous Earth  made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. (tiny little sea shells)
Manganese Gluconate used to treat low blood magnesium. 
Ferrous Gluconate Iron(II) gluconate, or ferrous gluconate, is a black compound often used as an iron supplement. 

I will mention one warning, I've always been told not to perm hair treated with this kind of color. So, if anyone has permed over this, please let me know if you had "pocket curls". That's where the hair melts off the client's head, and you hide the curlers in your POCKET.

trouble shooting - I've had a few clients contact me with challenges, here's how to handle them. 

Granules of Color on the Hair - Don't leave the color on longer than recommended. 

Staining on the Skin - dryness or improper pre-treatment. As hairdressers, we apply a product around the face, ears, and hairline to inhibit color staining. Usually it is a super thick moisturizer of some sort. In the old days, we used Vaseline. I recommend using anything, even a chapstick will work. 

Staining on your Scalp - Dryness. Dry scalp can be caused by winter, fine hair products, thinning hair products, medical issues, diet and more. It's difficult to say how much moisture the client needs, but assuming that the client has a healthy scalp, two quick ways to help get rid of some of the dryness before coloring?  Before you shampoo, apply some hair conditioner to your scalp for 5 minutes. Rinse, and shampoo as usual. You can also do this the day after you color. Scalp too dry for this to make a dent? Substitute coconut oil for the conditioner, and allow it to sit on your scalp for an hour before shampooing out. 

*It is very important that there is no oil left in your hair when you do your color!!




SO, I did some checking into the company, and the founders. Can you say WOW? The Company is also working with the NOVO Foundation, donating 20% of the proceeds to girls in the third world. 

Let's start with Jasmin Hawken. (nee- Scalesciani) This Certified Nutritionist has a private practice that caters to A-list actors, Fortune 500 entrepreneurs, and professional athletes. There is a link to sign up for a FREE world wide 21 day cleanse, which I plan on doing as soon as we have some good fresh fruit and vegetables around here. (Upstate NY right now has Oranges, and Broccoli. So, I ate 5 oranges yesterday!) She is known for her absolute love of plants and herbs. The medicinal properties of which she unlocks and continually blooms into life, breath, movement, and in her own words, love. On her web site, at the top left, you will find five words, words that would be good for everyone to live by.
 EAT MOVE LIVE BREATH LOVE



Paul Hawken, when I first read his name, I thought, well, he's just Jasmine's husband. Not so! His resume is shockingly both expansive, and diverse. From press coordinator in Selma, Alabama the night before Dr. Martin Luther King's historic march, to an organic food company, to not just THE Smith and Hawken catalog company, but actually designing some of the tools and products. He is an accomplished writer, with 4 of the 7 becoming national best sellers. He has done public speaking, actually in so many places that you have to go to his web site to see them, because I'm not re-typing them all! He has been on many TV shows, radio shows,  He serves as a board member for several companies, as well as Hairprint. One company he founded is currently working on green solar energy that is affordable, and one book was noted by past President Bill Clinton as, "One of the 5 most important books of today."

Indecently, every time that I have contacted the company, it has been Paul that has returned my e-mails.



Elizabeth Kapu’uwailani Lindsey,Ph.D., was born a native Hawaiian. She was raised by traditional elders, giving her a traditional Hawaiian name, Kapu’uwailani, meaning "The Heart of Heaven". She is an award winning film maker, actress, beauty queen, environmentalist, explorer, and most of all she works to preserve and document the ancient ways, world wide  She is the first female National Geographic Fellow, and the first Polynesian explorer.  She has studied vanishing traditions from remote parts of the world, including non-instrument ocean navigation. In partnership with NatGeo and PBS, she has served as executive producer on a multi-part series. My favorite line on her bio for NatGeo is, "She resides in California and Hawaii, but she considers herself a child of the world."


That leaves us with Dr. John Warner. This is the man who came up with the formula, and co-holds the patent. I'm not sure if I noted this, but the patent was passed in 8 months, which is unheard of -and Dr. Warner would certainly know, he holds a multitude of patents, some joint, some not. He is a Chemist, a GREEN chemist, a professor, a writer, an editor, a fellow, a musician, a gamer, (he likes World of Warcrack, I mean Warcraft!), an award winner, oh, did I mention that he owns his own institute? WarnerBabcock? There is just too much for me to type about Dr. Warner as well.


The talent that has brought this color to the market is brilliant. If you had doubts about trying it, I hope that reading about the people behind it gave you the extra nudge to order. This color is safe. I've used it 4 times, with zero repercussions. I'm about to order so I can do my fifth!  Try it! 







*I do NOT make any money, or receive any monetary compensation for any orders, or for this blog. gt

** Carbomer- This is synthetic. Although there are natural alternatives, they can be sensitizers. Looking at all of my resources, this white powder seems to actually be the best choice. There are zero chances of allergies, according to everything that I have read. I will continue to look, but the past six months have turned up zilch. It's in a lot of products, in fact, I was very surprised at the number of things that I have that it's in. -it's too many to list! -gt