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Ammonia-free hair dye: safe dyeing. Video
The search for your ideal image and, as a result, a frequent change of image, accompanied by a change in hair color, becomes the reason for their fragility and dullness. Several radical dyes in a row – and there is a real crow’s nest on the head, no conditioners and balms can return the hair to its former strength, shine and beauty. If you are familiar with this firsthand, start using ammonia-free paints, this will help save your hair.
Ammonia-free hair dye: how to choose
What is the harm of conventional permanent dyes
Common paints contain hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. They are necessary to provide a lasting and long-term effect. But their effect on the hair structure and cuticle is really destructive. Decomposing in the coloring composition under the influence of air, hydrogen peroxide releases active oxygen, which lightens the natural pigment melanin, which dyes hair. Hydrogen peroxide also has a destructive effect on the cuticle, but it is much less pronounced than the damage that ammonia does.
Ammonia, which is part of permanent dyes, is needed to provide the alkaline environment necessary for the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. But besides this, it also loosens the cuticle, under its influence the structure of the hair changes – it swells, its pores open, and an artificial pigment of the dye penetrates into them. The more hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in the paint, the deeper the pigment penetrates and the more the hair structure will be destroyed.
Since ammonia, which is a colorless gas with a pungent odor, is a volatile compound, it evaporates rather quickly, but manages to lift the cuticle scales, which can no longer return to their original position on their own. As a result, the hair loses its smoothness and shine, and special professional care and treatment is required to regain it. There are special regulations limiting the ammonia content in the dye to 3,2% of its total weight. Dyes of light shades and those intended to lighten hair contain a large amount of ammonia.
The use of both hydrogen peroxide and ammonia causes side effects, which are so frequent when dyeing with permanent dyes: they dry the scalp and hair, and can also cause scalp burning and cause an allergic reaction.
Ammonia-free paints, their advantages and disadvantages
These dyes, which do not contain ammonia and its derivatives, are gentle, their action is based on patented formulas, which each manufacturer has their own, but the common result is that with their help you can change the color of the hair without damaging its structure.
The first dyes that did not contain ammonia were characterized by low durability, the dye remained on the hair for no more than a month. This can be explained simply: the pigment without ammonia cannot penetrate into the hair, but remains on its surface, creating a transparent dye film, giving the hair additional shine. But ammonia-free paints of the new generation already allow you to get a long-term effect, calculated for several months, and can even completely paint over gray hair.
In addition to the fact that they themselves are less harmful, manufacturers, taking care of consumers, as a rule, supplement them with special shampoos and balms containing a large amount of nutritional and conditioning components. They are designed to minimize the stress of hair coloring. After you have colored your head using a special shampoo and balm, your hair really looks shiny: your hair has received intense nourishment and hydration. In addition, the coloring pigment gradually accumulates on the hair, and with each coloring, the periods between visits to the hairdresser become longer.
The disadvantages of persistent ammonia-free dyes, first of all, include their cost. Those that are inexpensive, as a rule, do not allow you to get such bright and saturated shades, do not paint over gray hair and are washed off after a couple of weeks.
Any ammonia-free dye should still be used more often than a regular dye if you want the color you like to stick to your hair.
Which ammonia-free paint to choose
Those manufacturers who have long established themselves on the market, and in this category of dyes, offer a good professional hair dye that provides durability and beautiful shades.
So, the well-known brand L`Opeal Professionals offers a huge selection of shades that look very natural on the hair. Even when you decide to radically change color with this paint, the effect of such coloring will be guaranteed to last for more than two months. Additional care in the form of shampoo and balm has a noticeable healing effect. These dyes can be used for gray hair too.
Wella Professionals guarantee 25 washout fastness
Chi brand dyes are popular, judging by the reviews, they are considered one of the best – they not only dye, but also restore the hair structure, retain color for several months, are hypoallergenic, and make the hair silky and shiny. This brand has a special Chi Ilonic series designed for 100% coverage of gray hair.
Professionals also highly appreciate the products of the Matrix company, which also produces products for home use. The disadvantages of its products include only low durability, especially of copper shades.
Ammonia-free dyes can be used for toning when dyeing ombre on dark and light hair.
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