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A new hair salon, Good Hair Day, has opened downtown at 34 W. Sherman St. next to Jan's Book Store. It features products that are organic.
Good Hair Day offers most of the usual services of a hair salon such as cuts and styling, with some exceptions.
Mary J. Gentle, owner-operator of the salon, has worked in the hair styling business for 30 years. During that time she eventually developed allergies to several products including shampoo. She was at a crossroads unless she could find something that would allow her to continue her career.
Some of the symptoms Gentle as she developed allergies to her work conditions were similar to the flu. She just didn't feel good, then she developed dermatitis, a skin reaction to the shampoo that was more directly assigned to the products.
Some of the ingredients in shampoos, conditioners or permanent kits that may cause reactions are sodium lauryl sulfate shampoos and stearalkonium chloride, synthetics and petrochemicals.
After trying different products and researching extensively on the internet, she found several solutions and now offers organic products to her clients.
"I don't do perms, acrylic nails or hair coloring. What I offer instead are soap-based products," Gentle said.
She may offer henna products in the future, but right now she doesn't because she can't guarantee the outcome of the color. Henna is a natural dye that can be used for hair. People who use henna have to be "adventurous," she said.
The products she chose for her salon, Aubrey Organics shampoos and conditioners, have been certified as organic by Quality Assurance International of San Diego, Calif.
"I had to do research online for the last few years trying to find just the right products to offer in my salon. I doubt you've seen Aubrey Organics anywhere but in nutrition centers and health food stores," she said.
The products Gentle chose contain herbals, essential oils, vitamins, glycoproteins, milk proteins and citrus seed extract.
"I just want to offer an alternative for people to the usual fare," Gentle said.
Eventually Gentle plans to carry essential oils so that clients can make up their own scent. She also will offer Dr. Bonner liquid and bar soaps that are certified organic as well. Dr. Bonner's is a product that has been around for 50 years or so.
Good Hair Day is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Thursday evening and Saturday by appointment. The phone number is 451-HAIR (4247).
Source: Lebanon ExpressAll rights reserved.