Shampoo Bar

       Shampoo Bar

Organic and Nontoxic Salon and Retail

 

  Don’t Be Fooled

 

Many professional and over the counter hair color products claim to be gentle containing botanical extracts. Yet, a few botanical ingredients don’t necessarily make a non toxic product.  Many of these colors contain both ammonia and resorcinol.  For example Aveda’s Full Spectrum Permanent Hair Color and Wella’s Koleston Perfect Classic, very popular professional color lines, both contain ammonia and resorcinol.   If you are a stylist it is usually easy to obtain a product’s ingredients since they are listed on the side of the box.  Yet, it is a lot more difficult for the average consumer.  They can obtain an ingredient list by emailing a company’s website and hope that they will answer.  However, most consumers just rely on their hair stylist to use the best products possible.   Yet, ironically many stylists don’t pay any attention to the ingredients that are in the hair color they are using. 

 

Why should you avoid Ammonia and Resorcinol both common ingredients in hair color?  It is because they are toxic substances that often create adverse health reactions.  Ammonia in hair color (and perms) can create headaches, rashes, respiratory problems, nauseous stomachs, a dizzy or foggy feeling, burning and stinging scalps, and hair loss.  Resorcinol, a common ingredient in color, can be absorbed through the skin.  Short term effects are irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.  It may also cause effects on the blood resulting in formation of methaemoglobin. “Resorcinol at high doses can engender reversible dose-related thyroid affects at high and persistent exposure.”  (IPCS Inchem Home Page) The hair dye industry is one of the major global producers of resorcinol.  (www.toxicology.org/isot/rc/allegheny/Resorcinolcsestdy.pdf). For more info on methaemoglobin see (www.ilo.org/encyclopaedia/?doc&nd=857400134&nh=0)

 

Stylists may tell you that you must “put up” with the adverse reactions.  They tell you this because they often don’t know there is anything better, or they are afraid to try something new since their old brands create consistent results for them.  Moreover, there is not a lot of interest in the industry to change.  This is a shame since research has found that hairstylists have a 50% greater chance of getting bladder cancer and blood cancers.  There is nothing ‘beautiful” about that.  In my own years of experience, while working in “toxic” salons, I suffered from bronchitis for 10 years in a row!  The hairstylist pays the greatest price since they are constantly using toxic products and breathing in their fumes.  However, many don’t seem a bit concerned. 

 

You can also put some blame on distributors.  It is difficult for stylists to find ammonia and resorcinol free color.  The two brands we use are Farouk and Organic Color Systems.  Farouk actually has MSDS sheets for all of their products.  Farouk can be purchased locally.  OCS has to be shipped from Florida.   It I all about supply and demand, so until the consumer demands healthier products there will be no change. 

 

The most important question:  Do we really need these toxic ingredients to make hair color work well and achieve lively, vibrant results?  The answer is a huge, giant “NO.”  The truth is that you can achieve the same intensity and range of color, and gray coverage without ammonia.  Ammonia is used in color to open the cuticle and drive in the dye.  Farouk has replaced ammonia with an extract from corn and gentle heat.  Organic Color Systems uses gentle heat. 

 

Ammonia based color leaves hair looking dry and dull.  I can always spot someone that has ammonia based color on their hair because the outer cuticle is rough and it makes the hair look dull.  On the other hand, hair that has been colored without ammonia looks smooth and has a more natural vibrancy.  It also retains color longer since the hair is less porous. 

 

At Shampoo Bar we offer the best of both worlds.  We use non toxic color that creates beautiful results!  I have changed my daughter’s hair color five times over the last eight months and it is still in excellent condition!  I guess liking change runs in the family!  Our color brands also work great over permed hair.  We also use ammonia and thio free permanent waves.   It is amazing when you can perm and color hair and have it still feel like virgin hair!  There are no drawbacks from using our products.  My customers are amazed that our color has no bad smell and works beautifully too. 

 

It is my goal and my passion to create an “awakening” in consumers and hair stylists.    I am hopeful that the future will bring a change of conscience to an industry that I love and have worked in most of my life.   Yet, it will only happen if you demand it to.  There is a better way-tell your friends and family to just say “no’ to toxic beauty products.  You will be happy you did. 

 

Regards To You and Your Health,

 

Nancy Cole