There have
been many scary stories of late around the dangers of permanent hair dye, and
allergic reactions seem to have become more common. Consumers are starting to
ask more questions about the ingredients in hair dyes, as well as those in
beauty products in general.
What is
apparent is that most permanent hair dyes that hairdressers use as well as
permanent home hair dyes contain high levels of chemicals like ammonia,
paraben, resorcinol, hydrogen peroxide and phenylenediamine (PPD).
PPDs, in
particular, have attracted a lot of bad press. But what is PPD and can you
achieve the results you are looking for by using a product without PPD or with
far lower levels?
In short, PPD
are the color pigments used to alter your hair’s natural shade, a necessary
ingredient in permanent hair dyes that do not wash out. Current European
legislation allows for PPDs to make up 6% of the ingredients of hair dyes.
However, with research pointing to its harmful effects, you’ll want to go for
products that use the least amount possible.
Hydrogen
Peroxide, contrary to public knowledge, is not considered a health risk in low
quantities. There are a small number of people who may be allergic, but in
general the most significant side effect is damaging your hair.
Ammonia is in
fact more of a serious culprit with regard to health and allergic reactions.
Its function is to penetrate the hair with color.
So what’s a
gal to do who wants to experiment with hair colour while still using products
that are friendly to her body?
The good news
is that there are more natural permanent hair dyes available on the market that
do the job just as well, if not better, than conventional hair dyes.
The world’s
market leader in herbal hair dyes, Herbatint has been available in South Africa
for seven years and has proven itself to offer more conditioning, lasting
color. Herbatint contains no Ammonia, Paraben or Resorcinol as well as the
lowest possible levels of PPD and Peroxide. The dye is a dream to use without
the “customary” burning sensation during the dyeing process or the awful smell.
And, hair is quite simply left in far better condition.
Like all
permanent hair dyes, Herbatint does contain PPD, but the minimum possible
levels, around 0.8% - 0.9% in most colours, with a maximum of 2.1% in the
darkest colours. Herbatint also contains several vegetal extracts to reduce the
impact of the PPD and to protect the hair and scalp such as Meadowfoam, Witch
Hazel, White Birch and Echinacea.
But how is
Herbatint able to penetrate hair with color in the absence of ammonia? The
product uses special plant-based alkalines, with a maximum PH level of 8.5
(ammonia is 12.5). This avoids structural damage to the hair shaft and means that
once the colour pigments have been deposited, the hair cuticle can be
completely re-closed, resulting in far superior hair condition and less colour
fade. The inclusion of Aloe Vera in the dye aids in the transfer of colour.
What
distinguishes Herbatint from many other more natural hair dyes is that it is
not Henna-based. It works like any conventional hair dye (namely it does not
coat the hair like Henna does), it covers grey, doesn’t fade and comes in a
fabulous range of 30 fully mixable natural and fashion shades. It can also
lighten the hair by one or two tones with damaging the hair’s structure. And,
Herbatint comes with a screwable lid so you can mix up the colour you desire,
and simply save them all for next time.
People can be
allergic to all kinds of substances and as with any hair dye, it’s recommended
to do a patch test prior to use. However, it’s been found that many people do
not react to Herbatint. The inclusion of Aloe Barbadensis as an ingredient is
also useful as it is a natural and effective anti-inflammatory and
anti-irritant.
For the
environmentally conscious, Herbatint is not tested on animals and comes in
biodegradable, recyclable packaging.
The appearance
of more natural and ethical alternatives is becoming more common, and Herbatint
shows you how it’s really possible to look good and be conscious at the same
time.
Check out the
latest Herbatint promo video.
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