"Regular" conditioner

[Gina]

I've been using organic bath and body products for a little over a year. Last week, I ran out of conditioner. My husband, with good intentions, went to the store to get more conditioner for me until I could get more of the organic stuff (the nearest grocery store doesn't stock organic products). He purchased the brand I used to use religiously before switching to organic (a very popular brand known for it's good quality). I figured, what the heck.... it's not going to kill me, and even though it's full of chemicals, it'll be fine just once.

Gah! The first thing I noticed when I opened the bottle was the smell. It was more of an odor than an aroma. But, did that stop me? Nope. My hair is very brittle, and if I don't use conditioner it'll fall out and break easily. I figured that once I rinsed it out of my hair, the overpowering chemical smell wouldn't be so bad. Boy, was that a mistake! It made me physically ill to my stomach, my eyes burn (from the fumes - not the product it's self), and made my scalp dry. It was almost as if I was allergic to it. After getting out of the shower, I could still smell it and it still seemed strong. I had a HUGE headache all day.

I can't believe I used to walk around smelling like that. And it was only a normal shampoo smell - what most people think of as smelling clean and fresh. To me, it just smells like strong chemicals. I think I'll let my hair fall out before going through that again.

[JB]

You know, I've wondered how the mainstream products would seem to me now that I'm not used to them anymore, either.

I don't have kids, so I could be way off, but maybe that's the reason babies don't like baths until they get used to them. Maybe it's not the bath, but the way the products feel or smell. Aren't they in water for 9 months until they're born? You'd think they'd have no problems with water, then. Kind of makes you wonder.

[Gina]

JB, that's interesting. I never thought about it that way - a newborn probably would experience some of the same things I experienced since their skin and lungs aren't used to chemicals. On the other hand, if the mother uses mainstream products during her pregnancy, those chemicals make their way to the amniotic fluid (the water). So, a whole lot of un-born children are literally swimming in a chemical mess before they're born.

It's still a good question, though. I wonder if any research will ever be done on it.