We are more aware than ever of the effects of harsh ingredients on our hair and skin, so we want to know what’s in the products we use.
Hair products are no exception. But what’s good for our hair and what’s not? There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there, so in this blog, I want to talk about ammonia.
The word itself might not make you think of anything pleasant, but you will have come across it if you colour your hair. So is ammonia bad for your hair, what role does it play when you colour your hair, and should you opt for ammonia-free hair colour?
Read on to find out.
What is ammonia?
Ammonia is a powerful alkaline chemical and you’ll remember from chemistry at school that it smells a bit nasty in its pure form!
What does ammonia do and why is it in hair dye?
Human hair is acidic, but using an alkaline chemical like ammonia can open up the hair’s cuticle and allow it to absorb hair dye. This means that hair colour will ‘take’ better.
Does ammonia damage the hair?
Any type of chemical processing can weaken and damage the hair. This includes using hair dyes that contain ammonia.
If I want to avoid ammonia, how can I colour my hair?
A great semi-permanent colour option if you want to avoid ammonia is Aveda’s Full Spectrum Demi+™ Custom Deposit Treatment Hair Colour. It’s ammonia-free, 93% naturally derived, and packed with natural organic oils including sunflower, castor, jojoba, and kukui. These nourish the hair during the colouring process and will give it an instant healthy sheen.
Using natural oils on the hair will make it look and feel far healthier and more manageable than using ammonia.
If you do love your usual colour and aren’t put off by ammonia, you can use deep conditioning and restructuring masks and treatments which will help minimise the damage that chemical processing can cause.
My advice?…
The best hair colour for you is that one that makes your hair look and feel amazing. Whether you want to use ammonia or not, it’s important to know the benefits and the risks.
We are an Aveda Salon and our goal is to nourish and protect your hair with products that contain gentle ingredients and minimal harsh chemicals.
Visit us and see how we can help you on your happy healthy hair journey.