Why you don’t Want or Need Ammonia in your Hair Color
by Hilton Bell
ammonia affects different people in different ways. I’ve seen this happen in salons time and time again.
Client Number One has her hair colored with a product that contains ammonia apparently without any side effects at all. Client Number Two has her hair colored using the same product and ends up with headaches, stinging eyes, trouble breathing or a nasty rash. Or ends up in bed feeling terrible.
I’ve talked with many hairdressers and hundreds of clients about this and the most common answer goes something like this: “It’s the price you have to pay if you want your hair colored”.
Often the clients will add “Thank goodness I don’t have to get it done every week”. Or “I figure every 6 or 8 weeks can’t do too much harm.”
But I say “If ammonia can affect our clients like this, then what about the hairdressers and colorists who are breathing it in every day?”
There’s plenty of information available about the adverse effects of ammonia. It’s no secret. Ask any doctor or check it out on the Internet. You’ll find statements like this:
“Inhalation of lower concentrations in the air or solution can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation. It can also produce rapid skin or eye irritation. Ammonia’s odor provides adequate early warning of its presence, but ammonia also causes olfactory fatigue or adaptation, reducing awareness of one’s prolonged exposure at low concentrations”.
At the same time as ammonia is getting into your eyes and lungs, it’s getting into the cuticle of the hair. In fact the shaft of hair is starting to resemble Swiss cheese (see the photos below).
Ammonia not only negatively affects the cuticle of the hair, it also damages the amino acid or protein called Tyrosine which is found inside the hair shaft. Tyrosine is responsible for producing melanin (the natural pigment in the hair shaft).
When the Tyrosine is damaged, the hair’s ability to hold onto color is greatly reduced (or eliminated altogether). When you introduce color into the hair shaft without damaging the Tyrosine the color lasts longer because the color has something to bond to.
The main purpose of this web site isn’t to put down ammonia. It is to simply to inform professional hairdressers and colorists about a product that is readily available that doesn’t contain any ammonia at all. And at the same time gives better results.
Better color. No fading. Happier, healthier clients. And happier, healthier colorists.
Under The Microscope
The hair sample pictured on this page is from exactly the same natural hair (level 5 virgin hair). The top picture shows hair colored with Organic Color Systems’ color level 6 and Activator One (20 vol.).
The picture below shows the same hair colored with a leading manufacturer’s ammonia-based color, using a level 6 and the manufacturer’s corresponding 20 volume developer. Same hair, same level of color used, same (H2O2) Hydrogen Peroxide strength.
Click on either photo to load a larger version in a pop-up window.
Hair colored using Organic Color Systems products.
You can clearly see the difference in these photographs. Organic Color Systems’ colors do not compromise the state of the hair’s cuticle, therefore, the shine and the length of time that the color lasts is superior to ammonia based colors.
The protein balance in the hair is also left intact so you don’t get unwanted warmth coming into the hair which also promotes the longevity of color.
Related posts:
- Ammonia Free Hair ColorSince 1990 thousands of salons in over 30 countries have experienced the fantastic benefits of Organic Color Systems, the original ammonia-free, oil-delivered permanent hair color system. • No Ammonia • No Cuticle Damage • No Scalp Discomfort or Staining • Cleaner Blondes • Superior Grey Coverage • Reds that Fade On-tone • Cert. Organic Ingredients......
- Ammonia Free Hair Color Features and Benefits of Organic Color Systems Professional ammonia-Free hair color Line...
i am a hairdresser and i find this really intersting! i am using chi ammonia free colors and really like them but would not mind using these also! is there a sample kit that you guys could provide for trying the color! i just recently used all nutrient color (only used the darker shades) and was not sure what to think of it seamed like it did not cover the gray to well. i would like to try your lightest tone colors( to lift color) to see how they perform.
Hi there! Have reviewed your site and am really interested in the color products.Have been in the industry for years and need to know if we can get your product in Canada.Thanks so much,Donna
where are you located? I had my hair done with the organic color system but am unable to find a beauty salon near my home here in Phoenix, AZ. I believe thatwhen one is over 70 that hair color in a strong solution is very damaging and I really like it. Thanks
You say there is no ammonia in your color but is there any MEA or anything that is similar to ammonia. We have a client going through chem o and can’t have any form of amonia or like product
When I became so sensitive to Matrix hair color that it broke my scalp out and made my face and eyes swell, burn, and itch I began searching for organic hair color. I discovered a salon a couple of hours away in North Carolina that used Organic Color Systems Products.
The owner of ShearEleganceSalonLLC.com, along with one of her other hair stylists drove with me to the salon and we all tried the Organic Hair Color Systems. They have completed the training and many of their customers have switched to Organic Color since November 2009.
Everyone who has tried Organic Color Systems loves it. The Grey Coverage is excellent, the colors look real. My hair is healthy, shiny, and soft. I get lots of compliments for my beautiful hair. I have not had any allergic reactions to these products.
I am thrilled with the performance of these organic products and enthusiastically recommend that everyone who colors their hair give them a try and avoid the ammonia based toxic products that cause so many health problems.
Jazmin Onyx
I just wanted to say that I have Been using Oraganic Color Systems for 7 years now.I started out with a small amount just to try it,It sounded amazing and new If it did what it said it would do it would open up a whole new market of clients for me.Well not only did Organic Color Systems perform better than I had ever Imagined, It had a liquid line to back it .,which is also amazing.Now the onwer of The salon I rent from wants to jump on board.My Clients would truley leave if I were to stop using OCS.They make speaches in my chair every time they come in.If you havnt tried it,your really missing out! Thank You Organic Color Systems for Helping me grow my bussiness. Darlene Devito-NH
Well done for offering up so much supportive and educational advise Tyrosine is so key to colour retention as are the other Amino acids so important to the hairs structure and health.
In so many cases the importance of these amino acids gets neglected.
In promoting no Ammonia in colour we should also consider the other chemicals used in the colour process sometimes Manufacturers deploy clever marketing tactics to promote these types of products and focus on the fact that the majority of users or consumers do not know any different when the topic of ingredients are raised and their short long term effect are considered
Common practice is the substitution of ingredients such as ammonia in color this has commonly been replaced with Ethanolamine or another subsitute for any produced performance to be effective certain reactions have to take place order example: lift or coverage, therefore a chemical must be used to create an alkaline environment buffers are used to protect and increase shine.Mike B2MR
I am a hair stylist with Asthma, and am so glad this line is finally in Canada. I have placed my order and can’t wait to start using it. I have been introduced to this line, have had it used on my hair, and soon will be using it in my home hair studio. Very exciting.
Does anyone know a salon that does this is Los Angeles or Orange County?
An Organic Salon Systems Salon Liaison will be contacting you with that information via email. Thanks
Hi,
I am a hair stylist and have many years experience with colors. I have owed a salon in the past and will open a salon again soon. I have use chi color and I would like to switch to your color. I am pro natural and organic and I am very interterested in you products.
Can you help me learn and slowly integrate your color line?
Do you have an intro kit?
Please give me a call
Sarah Zebb
Los Altos,CA
Cell 650 823-3292
I live in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Where can I find a salon wise to organic coloring. I am ripe for something new and healthy! Thanks, Amy