For the past month I've been using Australian Organics shampoo and conditioner.  I have been amazed at how my hair LOVES these products.  From the best that I can tell, there are no silicone based ingredients in either, but my hair is so smooth and silky without the crunchy build up that I get with -cones.  I found these at ULTA stores (they also have a web site www.ulta.com).  

My hair feels better than it has in a LONG time.  I had planned to trim about 4 inches of ends before my son's wedding, but now I think I will only need about and inch trimmed to even up the ends.

I have recently become aware of the huge controversy
surrounding Sodium Lauryl and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.
Like the 'cones controversy, I never even knew these
existed until I started looking at hair care sites.  However, the SLS controversy seems to be more"serious"
because it is claimed that SLS can cause cancer and
all kinds of medical problems. Horrors!  At the least, it's
supposed to be much more damaging to your hair
than shampoos without them.  There are other articles
discounting all these claims, claiming they are hoaxes
put out by the "all natural" companies.  At any rate,
has anyone noticed a difference by getting rid of SLS?
ALL my favorite shampoos, in fact ALL my shampoos
in my shower have it in them.  Either Sodium Lauryl or
Sodium Laureth.  I really DON'T feel like going out to
buy more shampoo. Getting to the Australian Organics,
if I was going to buy more shampoo, it would be in my
price range.  (I can't afford the more expensive salon
shampoos.) Is it better to go with it?  Is the SLS controversy really anything?

The articles I've read regarding the health risks seem to be a bit overblown. Some feel that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is too harsh for their hair.  Sodium Laureth Sulfate is milder.  

It all comes down to what works for your hair.

If it makes any difference, my switch to SLES helped my scalp calm down and itch less. The one thing we can count on:: SLES is definitely less harsh than SLS. My scalp also produces less oil without SLS. With lauryl, I had to wash every single day to get rid of the greasies.

I don't worry too much about the controversy. To me, the cancer thing sounds a little ... much. My product philosophy? Everything causes cancer eventually anyway. I'd stick with the one that is less harsh.

Anais

Anais:  I agree.  I don't think I believe the cancer thing.
What  is SLES?  is that Sodium Laureth Sulfate?

Yes, SLES= Sodium laureth sulfate. I didn't understand either, but I guess it's that extra "e".

I read someplace that SLES is much easier on your
hair that SLS, so I have some shampoos that have
those so I will be using those.