| This is a fact: Just because a person does not | | | | Have you wondered why fumed hair dyes sting |
| seem to have a reaction after using or smelling an | | | | our scalp, make our eyes water, and make some |
| ammonia-based hair color product several times, | | | | people sneeze? Then have you asked yourself, |
| does not guarantee that cross-sensitization might | | | | “Can this be safe for me?” |
| not occur after the next usage. In fact, it might | | | | About 400 (86%) out of the 456 hair colors |
| not occur until the 25th time the product is used. | | | | ranked in the Skin Deep cosmetics database of |
| The average customer is in contact with hair | | | | the Environmental Working Group are considered |
| color ammonia about every 4-6 weeks; however, | | | | high hazard. It is a controversial issue in |
| hair stylists have daily contact--leading to | | | | “quoting” hair dyes to be linked to health |
| accumulative bouts of headaches, loss of appetite, | | | | Hazards. Many believe the conventional |
| and fatigue due to the ammoniated smells | | | | carcinogenic dyes are part of the issue, when |
| According to the Agency for Toxic Substances | | | | used in conjunction with other toxic personal care |
| and Disease Registry, ammonia is listed as a | | | | products. |
| hazardous substance that has related negative | | | | The early studies showed an association between |
| health effects. Nearly all professional and "box" | | | | hair dye use and increased risks for multiple |
| hair color contain ammonia. If a color line claims | | | | myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and |
| to be a “non-ammonia base,” the product | | | | leukemia, plus ovarian cancer in women. Almost all |
| most likely contains its “silent scented,” | | | | the early studies indicated that increased risk |
| even more toxic friend ethanolamine. | | | | might be restricted to long-term or frequent hair |
| Your hair color and your investment, fully fading | | | | dye users, particularly users of dark hair dyes. |
| Both the hair professionals and consumers are led | | | | Is There a Healthy Alternative in Hair Coloring? |
| to believe ammonia is a “must” for color | | | | Many over-the-counter and professional hair color |
| to work, however it is actually an inexpensive hair | | | | products claim to be gentle and contain botanical |
| color additive used to allow color molecules to | | | | extracts. The few included botanical ingredients |
| penetrate the hair's cuticle. Because of its | | | | don’t necessarily make a safe or |
| properties, these ingredients leave the hair in a | | | | “non-toxic” product. Many of these |
| compromised and weakened condition. The | | | | colors contain ammonia, ethanolamine, and/or |
| money you have spent hoping that it lasts a long | | | | resorcinol. Several very popular hair color lines |
| time is also compromised as fading and | | | | contain both ammonia and ethanolamine. This is a |
| discoloration will occur. | | | | good reason to carefully read the labels on even |
| For longer lasting, beautiful hair color–avoid | | | | the most “trusted brands.” |
| these two major ingredients | | | | Problem Solved. Have your beautiful color, and |
| Ammonia | | | | health too! |
| Recent research has found that 50%-60% of | | | | It is possible to find safe and healthy hair color |
| clients suffer from negative effects of | | | | products! Here is what a safer color line can |
| ammonia-based colors. Over time, the shaft of | | | | offer! |
| hair starts to resemble string cheese. | | | | • No ammonia or ammonia substitutes, |
| Ammonia not only negatively affects the cuticle | | | | therefore no damage to the hair. |
| of the hair, it also damages the amino acid or | | | | • Rich, vibrant colors including reds and |
| protein called tyrosine, which is found inside the | | | | coppers that do not fade. |
| hair shaft. When the tyrosine is damaged, the | | | | • Lighten up to 6 levels without having to |
| hair's ability to hold onto color is greatly reduced | | | | bleach or damage the hair. |
| or eliminated altogether. | | | | • No more itchy scalps, stinging or staining. |
| Ethanolamine | | | | • No toxic odors in the salon–smells |
| Ethanolamine is a “silent substitute” if | | | | like grapes. |
| ammonia is not used in a hair color. This | | | | • No ammonia gas to be inhaled. |
| ingredient has always been used in | | | | • Ability to color the hair more often. |
| semi-permanent color at about 3% concentration. | | | | For both the customer and the hair professional it |
| If ethanolamine is to be used in permanent color, | | | | is important that professional salons soon offer a |
| the concentration has to be increased to 9%, | | | | coloring service with a more integrative, healthier, |
| compared to 1.8-3% of ammonia! | | | | and longer-lasting investment for the client. |
| In the amount and how much it is compounded | | | | It is also important that professionals and |
| with its "adhesive" property, it can never be | | | | consumers learn to recognize what chemicals are |
| totally washed out of the hair and scalp! As a | | | | in your hair color brands by reading the labels (or |
| result, every time the hair is washed, the water | | | | by asking your colorist to tell you). For more |
| acts as a mild oxidizer and "process" the color a | | | | details, check out these Web sites: |
| little bit all over again. This is what contributes to | | | | • Healthy Child Organization: (check out |
| pre-matured fading and the dryness that develops | | | | chemicals section) |
| gradually. | | | | • Environmental Working Group: (lots of |
| So, whether you begin by damaging the hair or | | | | interesting articles about chemical use in products) |
| re-oxidizing it, the cuticle is damaged and becomes | | | | • Skin Deep: |
| susceptible, and you do not get an end result that | | | | • Safe Cosmetics: (companies that have |
| you ideally want or could have. | | | | pledged not to use harmful chemicals in their |
| Is a Less Toxic Approach Really Possibly with Hair | | | | products) |
| Color? | | | | • (additional health and beauty articles) |
| Most people have an internal battle that as a | | | | We can have our beauty, and our health too. |
| consumer they wonder 1) What do we have a | | | | Everyone must do what they can to remove |
| right to know? 2) What we are willing to learn? | | | | hazardous chemicals from their lives. |
| and 3) How then do we discern the wisdom? | | | | |