It’s no secret that hair coloring is a popular thing. In fact, statistics show that up to seventy-five percent of women dye their hair. That’s a heck of a lot of hair color.
Unfortunately, popular doesn’t always translate to practical. While selecting that perfect hair color may make for lovely locks, hair coloring doesn’t come without inherent risks. That’s because simple hair dye has been linked to a deadly predator.
In truth, the very products we use to color our hair are loaded with chemicals (more than 5,000 to be exact). And some of those chemicals are known to be carcinogenic. (News flash: that means cancer-causing.)
As a result of these and other health concerns, women are getting sophisticated when it comes to safety. This has brought about the rise of a noteworthy trend: safer hair dye alternatives.
The root of this trend lies in the development of health conscious hair salons. These safer alternatives to sassy hair are popping up around the country. And women can’t get enough of them.
Take, for example, Chicago’s popular Splendor Salon & Spa. This savvy business offers something many consumers seek: a fume-free salon experience. In other words, your nose and throat won’t burn while your hair is processing.
In addition, customers know what they’re getting. In salons like Splendor, chemicals in hair color are no longer a mystery. To find out what’s in a product, all you have to do is ask. In addition, products are eco-friendly in that they are truly green (yes, these types of salons check to be sure).
But just why is this kind of environment important when it comes to hair color?
“Women need to be more aware of the ingredients that are in the products that they use,” says Bella Piluk, an employee of Splendor. “Being aware of the chemicals that are in the different products that we purchase, there are a lot of products (in the market) that are very damaging and unhealthy for our bodies.”
In many smaller towns, all-natural hair salons like Splendor aren’t available. However, there are still ways to know how hair color could be affecting your body.
Piluk says the easiest of these lies in how a product makes you feel. This means that hair dye shouldn’t have “side effects.”
“If there’s something that makes your eyes water, your nose burn, or your head itch when they put on the hair dye, it’s actually a reaction to the chemicals they use,” says Piluk. “So it’s harmful and unhealthy”
If there isn’t a salon nearby that offers this type of fume-free experience, many women travel to larger cities with available options. “Usually, if women find that they do have these problems, that means it’s better to find a salon that’s organic so that they can still achieve the same results as other hair dyes, but (with) a healthier alternative,” says Piluk.
If your schedule doesn’t allow for travel, it can be helpful to learn which ingredients in hair dye are actually dangerous. This puts the power in your hands.
The first concerning ingredient found in hair dye is ammonia. According to Salon Magazine, ammonia has been used in hair dye for years. It facilitates the oxidation and lightening process. However, ammonia is what irritates the eyes, nose, and throat during the coloring process.
An alternative to this ingredient can be found in a line of products called Organic Colour Systems. This British collection, which has become popular in the United States, is ammonia free.
The next concerning ingredient is resorcinol. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, resorcinol is found in hair dye as well as some shampoos and dermatological products. Resorcinol is a skin and eye irritant that can possibly disrupt thyroid function.
To look for resorcinol, it’s important to know that it may show up on labels in a number of ways. Names for resorcinol can include: 1,3-benzenediol, resorcin, and 1,3-dihydroxybenzene(m-hydroxybenze, m-dihydroxyphenol).
The third concerning ingredient is coal-tar. Coal-tar has been linked to eye injuries, cancer, and allergic reactions. Though the FDA is aware of these health risks, they are by law not able to take action against this ingredient. That said, labels must contain warnings about the presence and risks of coal-tar in products.
Further, be cautious when using products containing lead acetate. This ingredient has a gradual effect of reducing gray. Though studies have shown products containing this ingredient to be safe, it’s important to follow the directions on the package to avoid injury.
If you do use a product containing harmful ingredients, the FDA says that there are a number of precautions that should be taken. Test your skin before using the product. And keep it out of your eyes. In other words, don’t use products that warn of risks of blindness on eyebrows. Further, don’t use products on a scalp that is scratched, sunburned, or irritated in any way. And always follow the directions on the package.
So what do you do if all of this sounds like too much work?
If reading labels or traveling to an organic salon sounds exhausting, you do have one more option. You can steer clear of traditional hair color altogether.
Henna hair dyes, like Lush, have become a popular alternative to synthetic hair color. In this process, henna, essential oils, and cocoa butter are used to create a fabulous result.
That said, those who have tried henna hair products say there are a number of things to be aware of when choosing this alternative. While the process of using henna hair dye is easy, it can be messy. In addition, it stains. This means you may want to consider dying your hair in the shower with gloves on. And definitely don’t spill on furniture or floors. If you do, you’re stuck with it.
Bloggers also say it’s important to apply protective products to prevent dye from getting on your face as it can stain your skin. And know that Henna can take longer than traditional hair dye (in some cases a matter of hours). So allow time for processing.
Finally, be aware that henna might not fully cover roots or previous highlights. Plus, it can be tough to fix if you screw it up. The semi-permanent dye can help, but permanent dye shouldn’t be used.