The same ingredient that it used in our favorite beauty products may cause hair loss or skin cancers.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a detergent cleanser that causes the foam in many hygiene and cleansing products.  Although it is used in many hair shampoos, bath and shower gels and bubble baths, it is probably the most dangerous ingredient used in skin and hair-care products. 

It is used around the world for clinical testing as a primary skin irritant (http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v95/n5/abs/5612811a.html).  Laboratories use it to irritate skin on test animals and humans so that they may then test healing agents to see how effective they are on the irritated skin.

It is also well documented that it denatures skin proteins and causes irritation. This denaturing of the skin allows environmental contaminants easier access to the lower, sensitive layers of the skin and may even be a concern in skin and other cancers.

One of the main effects of SLS is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen when applied and absorbed into the skin through application. It may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers.

So why is a dangerous chemical like sodium laureth sulfate used in our soaps and shampoos?

It is cheap. The sodium laureth sulfate found in our soaps is exactly the same as you would find in a car wash or even a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines (Healthy-Communications.com).  The cleaning industry uses this chemical in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, car-wash soaps.  Just as SLS dissolves the grease on car engines, it also dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause a drying effect.   

Next time you go shopping for hygiene and cosmetic products, read the ingredients.  Try to find products that do not contain SLS or SLES (sodium laureth sulfate).  Natural products may be the best option!

For more information visit:  http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html

You can now get your weekly dose of empowerment in Minneapolis, MN and Alexandria, LA!  Join in on the next show with your espresso as we liven up your weekend with great music and an interesting topic! We have a celebrity wife and mom that’s going to teach us ladies how to get “wifed”.  We’re going to camp!  We also have a male guest that’s going to share his perspective on the topic. You don’t want to miss it!  See you next weekend!

Fridays:     5p-7p at WNAA-FM 90.1 www.wnaafm.com

Saturdays: 8a-10a at WSRB-FM Chicago, IL 106.3 www.soul1063radio.com

               10a-12noon at BMA Minneapolis www.bmanetworks.com

               12noon-2p at KKST-FM Alexandria, LA www.kiss987.fm

               3p-5p at WTYB-FM 103.9 Savannah, GA www.magic1039fm.com

Sundays:   6pm to 8pm at WHUR-HD Washington, DC www.whurworld.com

Get a glimpse of Cafe Mocha! Listen right now to past clips, celebrity interviews, and engaging topics!  Stay tuned each week for your dose of empowerment!  And remember, any time is the right time for cafe mocha!

Alicia Keys and her fiance Swizz Beatz had their unborn baby blessed in a traditional Zulu ceremony in Durban, South Africa. The baby and Alicia were given Zulu names by two priestesses while singing under a fig “healing” tree.  How cute!

The child’s birth date has not been announced however they will be married some time this year.

Michael Jackson’s hometown of Gary, Indiana is preparing a tribute to mark the one year anniversary of his death.

Thousands of people are expected to gather to listen to speeches, watch performances and participate in a candle virgil.

Michael’s mother Katherine had workers renovate and spruce up the house Tuesday for the event with a new roof, a fresh coat of white paint and newly poured concrete along the walkway and driveway.

The house was also surrounded by a black wrought iron fence, had new sod installed and some bushes awaiting to be planted.

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay says Katherine Jackson will attend the event with her granddaughter, Genevieve Jackson.

“I’ve only just begun,”

Those words above are the words of Joe Robinson, a musical pioneer, striving to keep jazz vibrant and thriving.  Joe is a life long resident of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and has captured the hearts of audiences with his music for 40 years.  Joe’s love and inspiration for Mile Davis is recognized in his music. His tasty trumpet solos are quite evident through the songs on his album by putting his own imprint on the originals. 

Joe is our artist/father of the week because he is not only a great musician but he’s a loving family man.  Joe has dedicated some of his most  interesting and original work to his grand-daughters in the songs Gabriel’s way and Jasmine’s Dream.  He says in an interview with Busta Brown on WNAA that “These songs represent my grand-daughter’s personalities.  They are an expression of who they are.”  How awesome is that!  All little girls would love to have their father dedicated their passion to show how much they love them.

To read more about Joe Robinson and to see more of his life as a musician, check out his website:  http://www.joerobinson.net/  

MC Lyte and Loni Love talks about Cafe Mocha Radio on the Monique show.  They also bring up some interesting information about black men traveling to Brazil.