Teresa’s Chemical and Perfume Detox Information
I have typed up some information about preparation for our visit. It’s a fair bit to take in. If you feel it’s too much to take on I completely understand and there will be no hard feelings at all.
Our hair, skin, clothes, shoes/bags/coats/etc all absorb scents and perfumes/chemicals as if they are sponges, and it can be very difficult to remove them all. For now, the level of hypersensitivity in my body picks up the slightest and most minute amount and can make me very sick on the day, and for a good time after an exposure too, so we are really careful.
Body
Hair colour, hair deep conditioning or spray tan, need at least a month before the visit to let chemicals wear off skin and hair a bit. These products have the worst effect on my body, so if you use these products – using them at least a month before you come is the best option for my health.
At least 2 days before your visit stop using all regular/scented body products, hair products, sunscreen, hairspray.
For the 2+ days use only fragrance free products. The cheapest way to do this is to buy a bottle of Envirocare brand “sensitive” body and hair wash – so this replaces both soap and shampoo. Remember to keep some at all your sinks so you don’t accidentally use normal soap to wash your hands.
Sensitive Body Wash – available at most health stores
We find that it is gentle enough on hair that you can get away with not using conditioner.
If you’d like to use a bar of soap and a more luxurious shampoo/conditioner – Alchemy by Akin is lovely (available at Priceline) – just be really careful when choosing the “Unscented” bottles – the scented ones look very similar to the unscented ones
Soap
Dove unscented in the pale green packaging
Dove Soap – available most supermarkets
Shampoo + conditioner available at priceline
Al Chemy Very Gentle Unscented Conditioner
The cheapest chemical-free hair cleaning option is to use bicar soda and apple cider vinegar (Google “no poo” hair washing, or no shampoo hair washing for LOADs of articles about it). *warning that the first stages of doing this leaves your hair a bit lank and unflattering…. but it’s an option so I’m mentioning it 😉
Essential oils are NOT OK for me, so the many natural or organic products out there that include essential oils (no matter how pure they are) are just as bad for me as normal products. If you need a deoderant, I can tolerate the Mitcham fragrance free deodorant in the roller pack. It’s available at some Woolworths.
The rock crystal is very good too. Remember to choose the unscented bottle if you go for the spray bottle of the rock crystal deoderant. Available at health stores and some supermarkets
If you are comfortable to avoid wearing moisturiser, and make up, that would be a great help too.
A new microfibre cloth is a great chemical-free face-cleanser: just wet with warm water and gently wipe the face. It’s surprisingly effective. You can use a fresh cloth each day and launder them with your towels.
If you’d like a moisturiser, Envirocare makes one I have used in the past or for an inexpensive option – good olive oil, or macadamia oil are very lush moisturisers – apply to a warm and freshly washed face and allow a bit of time for the oil to absorb. Use just a tiny bit, and if after a while it hasn;t all absorbed just gently blot away. It really leaves the skin super-soft and dewy.
Sunscreen – we use WOTNOT 30+ spf sunscreen, but its a bit pricey… If you’re in a position to abstain from using sunscreen for 2 days before our visit, feel free to use ours while you’re here.
Clothing
Regular washing powder hurts my lungs and throat, so we would ask you to put one of our robes over your clothes when you arrive and maybe wear a scarf, hat or shower cap on your hair during your visit. (we can pretend it’s a spa-day 😉 If you already always use an unscented and fragrance free washing liquid/powder, the covering of your clothing shouldn’t be necessary.
Phew! That’s a lot to take in!Sometimes all the right prep is done and fragrance is accidentally picked up on the way here – going to a shopping centre/cinema, or hugging someone who is wearing fragrance, or touching something that is fragranced, can all deposit scent and chemicals on your skin, hair or clothes. Occasionally I have not been able to stay longer than a few minutes with family if a fragrance or chemical has attached itself to them on the way over (if covering it hasn’t worked). I guess if (the worst) happens the consolation is that there is a lot of beautiful things to see on Phillip Island and your trip will still be fun.
Now that we have set up the neighbouring house as an office for David, and an allergy-friendly holiday rental for peak holiday times – if there is enough prep-time, you could stay at the holiday house during off-peak season for a few days, and that will give us a greater chance of seeing each other on your visit.
Thanks so much for offering to prepare for your visit, it means a great deal, and whatever happens, we appreciate it so very much. xxx
Let me know if I have missed anything, or if I have been vague with any details at all.
kindest wishes,
Teresa xx