Comparing Permanent, Semi-Permanent, and Demi-Permanent Hair Dyes. Permanent hair color has the greatest potential for hair damage due to the chemistry involved and should be done most cautiously. Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide combine to open up the hair's cuticle to reach the internal structure and make a color change ...
The most damaging hair color to achieve is typically platinum blonde or very light blonde shades, especially when done through bleaching. Here are some reasons why: Bleaching Process: Achieving a platinum blonde often requires multiple rounds of bleaching, which strips the hair of its natural pigment.
The least damaging is a semi permanent color. It is not mixed with developer. It can add shine and a hint of color. Next is a Demi color. It is used in grey blending. It is mixed with low developer. So it is also less damaging.
P-Phenylenediamine (PPD)
PPD, or p-phenylenediamine, is widely used as a coloring agent in many hair dyes. This toxic hair dye chemical is especially common in darker shades. However, PPD can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and may also trigger asthma symptoms.
Opt for hair dyes made with natural colorants like henna, indigo, cassia, beetroot, coffee, and other plant-derived ingredients. These natural hair dye options allow you to color your hair without harsh chemicals like ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, and peroxide commonly found in conventional dyes.
A top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, Garnier's permanent color is made with no ammonia and a high concentration of nourishing oil so it's gentle on hair that's damaged from treatments like keratin or thinning strands.
What hair dye brands should I avoid? Brands that frequently use harmful chemicals include Clairol Nice'N Easy, Garnier Nutrisse, Revlon Colorsilk, and L'Oreal Preference. These products often contain ingredients like ammonia and PPD, which are associated with health risks.
Barium peroxide is an oxidative agent that breaks down the natural color of the hair and forms new colors by chemically reacting with the dye. Detoxification: Barium peroxide produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that detoxify harmful chemicals in the hair, such as ammonia, heavy metals, and free radicals.
If your hair is brown, you may need to bleach it more than once before you apply the grey dye. It's important you get your hair as light as possible before you attempt to turn it grey – this will help ensure a more even tone and vibrant, all-over colour.
Red hair is notoriously difficult when it comes to upkeep. While it's the hardest color to fully strip from your hair, it's also the first to fade, often lightening drastically within the first few washes. So unless you're wanting to touch-up your own color at home, it would be wise to skip the scarlet shades.
Box dyes often contain strong chemicals that can over-processed hair, making it dry and brittle. These chemicals can react unpredictably with other hair treatments, causing damage.
While your natural hair color dictates the number of hair follicles you start with, the rate and likelihood of hair loss are largely unrelated to the color itself.
Unlike over-the-counter box dyes, salon dyes are designed to offer rich, long-lasting results while minimizing damage to your hair. As you think about making a change, consider that professional hair dyes are specifically formulated to provide rich, enduring color while nourishing your hair.
"If you really want to reduce your exposure to harsh ingredients the safest way, color-depositing conditioners and masks are best," Patton said. These dyes don't require a developer, so they're relatively gentle.
For example, some studies have found an increased risk of certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (but not others) in women who use hair dyes, especially if they began use before 1980 and/or use darker colors. The same types of results have been found in some studies of leukemia risk.
The scalp is one of the most absorbent parts of the body—it's like a sponge that sops up whatever you put on it. As hair dye sits on your scalp, chemicals are absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream. Some of these chemical toxins are peed out, but some remain in the body for months, maybe longer.
Revlon Colorsilk Permanent Hair Dye
Infused with keratin and silk extracts, it softens and strengthens your hair. There's no ammonia in this highly pigmented liquid gel, so there's minimal damage. The formula is non-drip. The shades are multi-tonal, so results are natural, offering added dimension.
Though semi-permanent hair color can still contain PPD, there are many on the market that are safe and void of PPD, like the L'Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color. This ammonia- and peroxide-free option gradually fades after a handful of washes, but packs serious color impact.