As we age, our hair undergoes significant changes, one of the most noticeable being the transition to gray. In our younger years, we might have opted for any shampoo or conditioner that was on sale or had a pleasant scent. However, when hair turns gray, this approach often falls short.

A common recommendation for maintaining the softness and shine of gray hair is to use purple shampoo, which helps neutralize any yellowing that might occur. Lisa Fennessy, a gray hair influencer and founder of The New Knew, a blog dedicated to clean beauty, highlights a frequent misstep many make with gray hair care: the misuse of purple shampoo.

Understanding the yellowing effect is crucial. Gray hair, having lost its pigment, is susceptible to discoloration. Brandie Devillier, a platform educator at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, has explained, “Think of a white T-shirt: the more you wear it, the less crisp and clean it becomes. The same thing happens to our gray hair—pollution, hard water, and even too much sun can cause it to become lackluster.”

To combat this, hairstylists often recommend purple shampoo and conditioner. Krysta Biancone, co-founder of Amari Salon & Spa, notes, “Purple shampoos neutralize yellow tones in gray hair, keeping it bright and vibrant.”

However, Fennessy warns against a common mistake: confusing blue shampoo with purple shampoo. In a TikTok video, she points out that blue shampoo can be problematic for gray hair. Cindy Marcus, a professional hairstylist and editor-in-chief of Latest Hairstyles, cautions, “When using blue-toned shampoo, the gray hair is very porous and will grab the blue tone which will turn gray or white hair blue.”

Even when using purple shampoo, there might be a method issue. Fennessy advises, “If you’ve tried using purple shampoo to brighten your gray (or blonde) hair, but it doesn’t work—you are probably doing it wrong!” She suggests that the key is to leave the shampoo in longer, treating it almost like a leave-in conditioner to allow it to effectively tone the hair.

Additionally, it’s important to choose a purple shampoo that is highly moisturizing. As hair grays, the scalp’s production of sebum, a natural hydrating oil, decreases. Fennessy recommends using a non-stripping shampoo that retains natural oils. “Most conventional shampoos are gonna strip the oils from your hair, which leave your scalp and your hair dry,” she explains. “You want a shampoo that’s low in surfactants and leaves the natural oils that your scalp produces in place while removing dirt and grime.”

For those seeking the ideal purple shampoo, Fennessy suggests a product from the German brand Bruns, available on her website, while Biancone previously recommended Clairol Shimmer Lights.

It’s important to remember that blue shampoo is specifically formulated to reduce brassiness in brunettes, not for gray hair care. By avoiding this common mistake and selecting the right products, you can maintain the vibrancy and health of your gray hair.

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For those managing arthritis or joint pain with dietary supplements, a recent announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) serves as a crucial reminder to be vigilant about product safety. C&A Naturistics has initiated a voluntary recall of all lots of its AK Forte dietary supplements due to potential health risks.

The FDA’s notice, dated October 16, highlights that these 400-mg tablets, sold online via platforms like Etsy and eBay, were found to contain substances such as diclofenac, dexamethasone, and methocarbamol. These ingredients disqualify the product from being marketed as a dietary supplement.

Diclofenac, one of the identified substances, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) similar to aspirin and ibuprofen. While effective for pain relief, it poses significant risks, including “serious cardiovascular events and gastrointestinal damage such as ‘bleeding, ulceration, and fatal perforation of the stomach and intestines,'” according to the FDA. Additionally, it can interact adversely with other NSAIDs.

Dexamethasone, another component, is a corticosteroid used for inflammatory conditions. The FDA warns that it “can impair a person’s ability to fight infections and can cause high blood sugar levels, muscle injuries, and psychiatric problems.” Long-term use can disrupt adrenal gland function, leading to withdrawal symptoms if the medication is abruptly discontinued.

The third ingredient, methocarbamol, is a muscle relaxant known to “impair mental and physical abilities” required for tasks such as driving.

Marketed as a remedy for joint pain and arthritis, AK Forte also lists “Ortiga” and “Omega 3” among its ingredients. The FDA has previously cautioned against Ortiga, labeling it an “unapproved product promoted for a variety of health conditions” and typically manufactured in Mexico.

Although there have been no reported adverse events linked to AK Forte, the FDA emphasizes that “AK Forte tablets is an unapproved new drug for which safety and efficacy have not been established and, therefore, subject to recall.”

If you’ve been using these supplements, the FDA advises consulting your healthcare provider immediately to safely discontinue use. “The risks of withdrawal from corticosteroids should be assessed by a healthcare professional,” the notice states. Only licensed professionals can properly evaluate and manage potential adrenal suppression.

C&A Naturistics is actively informing distributors and customers about the recall and coordinating returns and replacements. Consumers are encouraged to return the product to the place of purchase or dispose of it. The supplements can be identified by their distinctive multicolored packaging, featuring the AK logo in gold with a crown.

For further inquiries regarding the recall, consumers can reach out to C&A Naturistics using the contact details provided in the FDA notice.

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A recent study from Northwestern University has unveiled a hidden world of viruses within our bathrooms, challenging our perceptions of cleanliness and microbial life. Everyday items like toothbrushes have been found to harbor a multitude of newly discovered viruses, forming their own unique ecosystems.

Erica M. Hartmann, PhD, who spearheaded the research, expressed her astonishment at the findings. “The number of viruses that we found is absolutely wild,” she remarked. “We found many viruses that we know very little about and many others that we have never seen before. It’s amazing how much untapped biodiversity is all around us. And you don’t even have to go far to find it; it’s right under our noses.”

Hartmann’s curiosity about the microbe populations in our homes led her to focus on bathrooms as an ideal study site. She noted, “If you think about indoor environments, surfaces like tables and walls are really difficult for microbes to live on. Microbes prefer environments with water. And where is there water? Inside our showerheads and on our toothbrushes.”

Using DNA sequencing, Hartmann’s team discovered 600 distinct viruses on toothbrushes and inside showerheads. Interestingly, there was “basically no overlap in virus types between showerheads and toothbrushes,” and minimal overlap between individual samples. This highlights the unique viral diversity each item possesses.

The study’s findings could have significant implications for combating certain diseases. Among the viruses identified was mycobacteriophage, which targets mycobacteria, germs associated with illnesses like tuberculosis and leprosy. Hartmann envisions using these mycobacteriophages to “clean pathogens out of your plumbing system.”

While the thought of invisible viruses lurking in our bathrooms might be unsettling, Hartmann advises embracing these microbial companions. “Microbes are everywhere, and the vast majority of them will not make us sick,” she explained. “The more you attack them with disinfectants, the more they are likely to develop resistance or become more difficult to treat. We should all just embrace them.”

Interestingly, the study also sheds light on the cleanliness of everyday objects beyond the bathroom. According to experts, cell phones can harbor ten times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Emily Martin, PhD, MPH, from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, highlights the issue: “Because people are always carrying their cell phones even in situations where they would normally wash their hands before doing anything, cell phones do tend to get pretty gross.”

Martin further warns about the implications of taking cell phones into bathrooms. “Taking a cell phone into the bathroom and then leaving with it is kind of like going in, not washing your hands and then coming back out. It’s the same level of concern.”

This groundbreaking study not only reveals the hidden viral ecosystems in our bathrooms but also encourages a more informed and balanced approach to cleanliness and microbial life in our daily environments.

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