Hi, my name is Cheri Cosgrove, Owner of Belle Salon & Spa salon and Spa. We opened our first salon in 2004 on Hamilton Boulevard more than ten years ago and since then have opened two more locations. I am proud to be and AVEDA salon and encourage you to read why we continue to use all-natural, toxin-free beauty products on all our guests.
When our guests walk into one of our salons, they may be surprised by what they don’t smell – the range of chemicals usually wafting around hair salons. That’s because I have decided to use only natural and organic products in my salons.
While many people may assume that all salon hair and body treatments are regulated and safe, the FDA has no authority to require companies to test cosmetic products for safety, due to loopholes in the Toxic Substance Control Act. What this means is people are being exposed to dangerous toxins through salon products like nail polish, hair color processors and hair straighteners.
Be aware that while labels of over-the-counter body care products are required by law to list ingredients, with the exception of the chemical soup often hidden under the term “fragrance”, the loophole for salon products is large. As the owner of Belle Salon & Spa salon and spa, I want you to be aware, products sold for professional use in salon and spas are not required to be labeled with ingredients.
For example, about two-thirds of conventional hair dyes in the US contain Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical banned for use in such products in Germany, France and Sweden. Exposure to PPD can cause allergic reactions ranging from skin irritations to death by anaphylactic shock, which happened to a teenager in 2010.
Many conventional body products like shampoo use a massage oil containing a litany of ingredients that add to our chemical exposure.
Fortunately, healthy alternatives are available, either by patronizing a green salon or using natural beauty treatments at home.
Look for a clean, green salon that uses natural hair color treatments free from synthetic chemicals like ammonia or PPD.
Ask questions to ensure all of the salon products are non-toxic or as low in toxicity as possible. For example, a large network of independently owned Lifestyle Salons across America are connected with the Aveda Corporation. A natural leader in developing hair and body products that are free from the most dangerous ingredients. More than 90% of AVEDA’s essential oils in 89% of its raw herbal ingredients are certified organic. To learn more about potentially toxic products in your home, visit the deep database at the Environmental Working Group.
As the owner of three salon and spas right here in Siouxland, I am happy and proud to offer nontoxic products in effort to keep our guests looking beautiful and healthy.
