Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Why doesn't Morrocco Method sell to Whole Foods?

At Morrocco Method, we understand what small businesses have to go through to stay competitive on today's ever-changing market. That is why, even with Amazon's recent purchase of Whole Foods, we will NOT turn to greed and leave out our core values which are: to provide the best in natural hair care without compromising anyone's health, to be socially responsible and to protect our environment. That is why, we have supported and will continue to support real natural stores, so they can offer a product that is 100% natural, raw, wildcrafted and one that cannot be obtained at bigger stores for discounted prices, such as Whole Foods. So, you may wonder: What is the real threat behind Whole Foods and why do we take this stand? The answer lies in the same reason you may want to reconsider your stand after reading the following realities:
  • Whole Foods was one of the lobbyists against labeling products that included GMO ingredients. With this new purchase, "organic" and "natural" products are some of the first items to be discounted, which will send true health-conscious consumers away from real natural food store to Whole Foods' doors.
  • Whole Foods' groceries will get cheaper and by doing this, which will end up running small stores out of business.
  • The Whole Foods Market 365 Private Label will be sold on Amazon.com, which will bolster their network for grocery delivery service: Amazon Fresh. This means that all those natural stores with juice bars and prepared food, will eventually stop offering meals since they will not have enough demand for them.
  • Whole Foods will take advantage of Amazon's delivery structure, by offering their in-store products delivered for free to the doors of their customers, which will take small stores out of business due to the diminished foot-traffic.
  • Amazon will have easier access to their customers by selling their products at Whole Foods, which gives an array of options at better prices. Again, this leaves no fair competition for small stores, so they can't stay in business.
  • Amazon Prime will be Whole Foods' Customer Rewards Program and will continuously lower prices. Moreover, this program will give its members special savings and in-store benefits to drive traffic back to Amazon's physical stores (Whole Foods). So, why would people even bother going to other stores? This will end up damaging the economy model we currently have, increasing unemployment and having a few stores manage the overall pricing of goods.
Our intention by sharing this information is to inform you about what is really happening in this matter and to invite you to keep supporting small businesses to make today's market a fairer and more competitive environment.   Anthony Morrocco

Friday, October 13, 2017

Demodex Mites - The Microscopic Epidemic That Will Leave You Itching

Everybody's heard of headlice.. But you may not have heard of a new, extremely contagious epidemic that could potentially affect billions of people, from every part of the world.. Demodex Mites.

What are Demodex Mites?

Demodex Mites are contagious, microscopic parasites that live in or near hair follicles of mammals. They feed on sebaceous oils and skin cells from the follicle. Their bodies are covered in scales to anchor themselves to their host's hair strands, and they lay their eggs inside their host's follicles. The life span of a demodex mite can last several weeks.

Who do they affect?

The mites can infest anyone of any age. Studies have shown that 97% of adults have demodex mites with the majority of cases going unnoticed. Another study found that 90% of acne in teenagers is caused by these parasites.

What are the symptoms?

Since demodex mites are so small, they are often overlooked. As many as 25 mites have been observed in a single hair follicle. Large colonies can sometimes be noticed by a slight itchiness on the scalp, ears, forehead, and hair line. Adult females will lay around 20 eggs inside a human skin pore. They eat skin cells and sebaceous oils, causing hair to become brittle and fall. Their bites can cause infection and irritation that often lead to acne and rosacea. Since they lack anuses they cannot get rid of feces, and their abdomen will continue to grow. When they die and decompose, they release all of their feces at once inside the skin pore. These toxins can trigger immune reactions, inflammation, and tissue damage.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Demodex mites can be effectively treated using Apple Cider Vinegar, which is the main ingredient in most of our products, especially the Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Pine Shale Shampoo. The ACV will kill the mites and clear their eggs from the pores and follicles, stopping them from hatching and starting a new cycle. Another remedy was recently discovered by one of our Morrocco Method customers, Carol Boyce, who used Zen Detox to treat her demodex problem. Read her story below.

A personal demodex experience by Carol Boyce

"Everything is a gift" wrote Kim Estock in her article From Lice To Locks. I concur. Instead of lice, my challenge was a microscopic mite called demodex. Demodex mites, like head lice, are contagious and very difficult to get rid of! I found many DIY types of remedies on the internet from using borax to tar soap, but no one ever said that any of the remedies actually worked! Finally, I came across two companies that claimed that their shampoo was the answer. Unsure of whose product would work, I bought them both! As I waited for them to arrive I came across a product that I had bought years ago, but had forgotten that I had. It was a scalp detox product from Morrocco Method called Zen Detox. This sounded not only safe, but effective too. Eureka! This was the answer to my seemingly unending nightmare. I could feel the difference even while I was applying the product to my head, eyebrows, and ears. The unnerving crawling feeling was gone! Demodex mites will actually burrow deep into the hair follicles, feasting on the very life of your hair. What I liked most about using the Zen Detox was that it has drawing properties that remove impurities, even heavy metals. I was so impressed with the product, I decided to call the company to inquire if they sold a demodex shampoo. It was explained to me that although they did not have a specific demodex shampoo, all of their products were 100% natural. So between using the Zen Detox and chemical free shampoo, I could have the healthiest hair and scalp of my life! Because of my beyond devastating nightmare with demodex mites, I now know that having a clean scalp, all the way down to the follicle level, is crucial for having healthy hair. Can't wait to get started using all of the great products from Morrocco Method.

Sources:

http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/pestalert/acne.htm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3884930/ https://www.ungex.com/faq.htm

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Hair Loss in Teenagers

So many things can happen when someone goes through puberty or is living those teenage years, and experiencing hair loss can be one of the most unpleasant things to experience. There are different factors behind hair loss, but in this article we'll touch on the most common ones: Styling products: Some of the ingredients in mousses, gels and hairsprays are also used in industrial products such as plastics, lubricants for engines, engine degreasers, emulsifiers, paints and furniture finishers. These chemicals block hair follicles, irritate the skin out and promote hair loss. Opt instead for a safer alternative, like our 100% natural Blood of the Dragon Styling Gel (For a light to medium hold), 24/7 Styling Dragon Pomade (For a medium to strong hold) or our Curl Power, to relax, elongate and tame the frizz in your curls. Commercial hair care products: "More foam means your hair is clean" is something people often say, but it is not true. That foaming effect you get from your shampoo and some body washes is produced by chemicals, which end up being absorbed into your bloodstream. A product doesn't need to lather to clean, and you shouldn't risk your health for a belief. Besides foaming agents, these products are full of parabens, silicones, fragrances and artificial colors which strip the hair of its naturally occurring oils, debilitating it and making it more prone to hair loss. The best alternative to prevent this, is by using and rotating our 5 Element Shampoos and conditioners, which nourish and provide different ingredients that detoxify your scalp and promote hair-growth. Styling tools and hair dyes: In order to look better, some teenagers often change hairstyles which include the use of heated tools. These tools dehydrate and weaken the hair, giving way to split ends and brittle hair that breaks and falls out. Furthermore, hair dyes and chemical hair relaxers can be so damaging to the hair and scalp that they can promote irreversible hair loss. Medications: Some teenagers are medicated to treat a symptom, without addressing the root cause of the problem. Some of these medications end up creating a hormonal imbalance and blocking some enzymes from getting to where they are needed in order to let the hair continue with its cycle. The most common medications are birth control and acne pills. These drugs thin the hair out. Poor Nutrition: Physical image is important during these years, therefore, some teenagers will follow restrictive diets that deprive the body from essential vitamins, minerals and macronutrients needed to stimulate healthy hair-growth. Moreover, since nutrition may not be an important element in a teenager's life, it is common for them to make poor food decisions by eating mostly processed foods. These foods are, more often than not, full of artificial and carcinogenic ingredients that when ingested, create a hormone imbalance cascade wreaking havoc on their overall health. To learn more about the best foods you can eat to promote a healthy hair click here. Medical Conditions: Some health conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, Hashimoto's, adrenal fatigue, Adison's disease, PCOS, among others, contribute to the hair thinning out. Most of these diseases are preventable, and some studies have shown improvement in them when there is a lifestyle and diet change. Once these elements are instilled into an individual's daily life, the hair cycle will return to normal. Genes: Androgenetic Alopecia is a hereditary condition that promotes patterns of baldness. If this gene runs in the family, it is more likely that it will be presented as receding hair line in men and top and front of the scalp in women. Depending of the type of alopecia, it can be reversible by doing lifestyle modifications including a clean diet, clean environment and use of 100% natural products. Stress: A stressful situation like working on a project or studying for a final can give your body the message that it's safety is being threatened, so it releases cortisol, adrenaline, epinephrine and other hormones that get prepare you to fight or flight. Our bodies aren't smart enough to differentiate between a tiger chasing you down or a teacher yelling at you. That's why, it stops all functions that it doesn't consider as important (like hair growth, reproduction, skin hydration, among others) to save the blood flow and energy to your vital organs. Doing breathing exercises, meditating, yoga or having a hobby that relaxes the mind and body can help reduce stress and bring the body to homeostasis. Hair loss sometimes can be preventable and, for those who are already suffering from it,   reversible. A change in diet, lifestyle, environment and products that are used on a daily basis can result in significant improvements in hair and overall health.   Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not provide medical advice and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. In the case of any disease, you should always consult your doctor. No medical or health claims are made to treat, prevent, mitigate or remediate to illness, diseases, or medical conditions. The information on these pages is provided as support only and is offered with the hope that it may prove helpful for those who choose to take a greater responsibility for their own hair loss diagnosis and treatment.