When colouring your hair, it’s essential you don’t use products which will damage your locks. A professional hairdresser will have access to some of the best high-quality hair colours available which don’t contain any of the most damaging chemicals you’ll often find in dye products. One of the key ingredients to avoid is ammonia. Here’s why.
What Is Ammonia?
Ammonia is a colourless gas, often used in hair dye as a way to help with colour changes. For our hair to take on another colour, its pH level has to become more alkaline than its current acidity level. Agents such as ammonia aid this chemical reaction. It helps to open the hair shaft and cuticles to allow for easier hair colouring as the dye penetrates each strand to achieve full coverage.
Why Should You Avoid Hair Dyes Containing Ammonia?
Unfortunately, while useful for the hair colouring process, ammonia also can damage hair by irreversibly changing its pH level. This can cause hair to become dry and brittle as it loses much of its natural protein and moisture. Ammonia also has an unpleasant smell which many people don’t like.
Therefore, if it’s removed from dye products, something else will need to be put in its place. Luckily, amazing brands like Goldwell have developed products which are ammonia-free while still achieving a high performance when it comes to colouring hair. They’ve also added some enriching materials to their hair dyes to rejuvenate your tresses.
Other Chemicals to Avoid
There are lots of great products available which contain ingredients to counteract the effects of chemicals and add some goodness back into your locks. However, as well as ammonia, there are some other chemicals to look out for which you should avoid if possible. One of these is sulphates, which may strip natural oils from your hair and cause more shredding. Other chemicals to avoid include parabens, p-Phenylenediamine (PPD -which can irritate the skin), hydrogen peroxide and lead acetate.
Skin Patch Testing
However careful you are with hair dyes, it’s always important to conduct a patch test to see how your skin reacts. If visiting a stylist, they’ll let you know how long in advance you need to go into the salon, and you may need a new test if you’ve not had one for a while or going for a completely different shade. Your patch test usually takes place at least 48 hours in advance. However, if you’re doing a DIY colour job at home, always test your skin this far in advance before using any products. Many people have ignored the warnings and ended up having skin reactions on their scalp.
At the House of Klamer in Beaconsfield, we strive to choose the best products for our clients. This includes Goldwell’s famous hair colours which are ammonia-free. If you’d like to come in for a hair colour consultation, contact our team now.
