One of the prime reasons why most people abstain from colouring their hair is because of the damage and brittleness that their hair experiences. Next comes the dry and frizzy phase when no amount of conditioner is enough. But have you wondered why this happens? The presence of ammonia in most hair colours is responsible for all of this and more. For this reason, and many more, most people are switching to ammonia free hair colour options. In this article, we have encapsulated everything you need to know about the effects of ammonia on the body and how ammonia free options can be a game-changer for your hair.
Before we move on to the effects and risks that ammonia poses for your hair and overall health, we should know what ammonia is and why it is used. It is a chemical alkaline in nature, composed of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms, that is colourless with a distinct odor. During the process of hair colouring, ammonia helps raise the pH level of your hair. This in turn helps open up the cuticles and deposit the colour. The more your hair cuticle will open up, the more colour it will absorb, and therefore the colour will be long-lasting as well. It is also used to lighten hair colour for people with dark hair.
Adverse Effects of Ammonia in Hair colours
Although ammonia makes the hair colouring process easier and ensures the longevity of the colour, it has many ill effects as well. Several people complain about damaged and frizzy hair post-treatment, and that is one of the immediate effects. This is what spurred the no ammonia hair colour movement all over the globe. There are more unfavorable effects that your hair has to face, thanks to this chemical, and we have enlisted them:
- When used repeatedly in a short span of time, ammonia can damage the hair cuticle. With the cuticle disturbed, moisture will escape more easily, thus moisture retention will be difficult for your hair and it will end up being dry and frizzy.
- When it is being used to apply to the hair, there is a chance that the chemical can enter the bloodstream, which can cause severe health issues. Even for professionals, daily exposure to ammonia can cause lung diseases, eye infections, sinuses, and throat infections.
- When dissolved in water, ammonia forms ammonium hydroxide which can be a potential skin irritant. It can cause several skin problems like skin burns and rashes, and irritation in the nose and eyes as well.
- Another unfavorable effect of ammonia is that it disturbs and damages an amino acid present in the hair called tyrosine. Tyrosine helps your hair retain melanin, which adds a dark colour to it. Without this acid, the melanin retention will decrease and can cause greys as well.
- Ammonia is not at all an eco-friendly acid. It can destroy plants and crops, and cause lots of damage to the soil. All of us already know the adverse effects of ammonia present in fertilizers that deplete the natural elements of the soil. In today’s age of environmental conservation and choosing eco-friendly options, ammonia is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Can Ammonia free hair colours be effective?
Ammonia has many ill effects on hair, but it has been an effective agent for hair colouring for several years. However, no ammonia hair colours have also found a very good response from clients and research has found milder base ingredients to ensure good hair colour. These substitutes may not be as long-lasting as ammonia-based hair colours, but they are better for your health as well as the environment. Many brands use ingredients like monoethanolamine (MEA), which contains alcohol, to replace ammonia in hair colours. Different brands are coming up with various formulations to replace the use of ammonia in their products.
However, it can be difficult to choose one among the numerous formulations that are emerging in the market every day. Therefore, we have a solution for you. You can try the Godrej Expert Rich Creme hair colour. With its no ammonia formulation and added benefits and moisturization of aloe vera extracts, this is the best pick for you. While you can be free from any fear of damage and dryness, deep conditioning of aloe vera protects you from frizzy hair. It is available in six gorgeous shades and you won’t have any issue looking for a shade that matches your hair colour. So what are you waiting for? Try the Godrej Expert Rich Creme hair colour today and admire the gorgeous results!
Advantages of Using ammonia free hair colour
- You are free from skin and scalp irritation. Beauty does not always have to mean pain, and you have every right to save yourself from it.
- They are mostly odorless or have mild fragrances. So it is not irritating to your nose and sinuses, and won’t trigger lung health issues.
- When you colour your hair to hide greys, you usually have to do it quite often. This process can be a damaging one for your hair if ammonia was being used, but not anymore! Now you can conceal your greys with ease and grace, without having to deal with rough and frizzy hair.
- Say hello to shiny, smooth, and soft hair. That’s all the S we love when it comes to our tresses, don’t we? And all of them are qualities of healthy hair, that you would surely enjoy thanks to the no ammonia formulation.
- With ammonia out of the picture, tyrosine will be free from any disturbance, and can thus help to hold on to the melanin in your hair. So no more fear of premature greys, and you can show off your coloured hair in style as well. How cool is that!
So now, you can bid goodbye to all hesitations and fears of colouring your hair. Go for crazy purples and bold reds, peppy blonds, and classy browns― anything your heart desires. With the new ammonia free formulations by your side, you are ready to take over the world in any shade you like!
