It is not a secret that, frequent hair colorization damages hair, dries them and makes them fragile and bereft of gloss. So, what should be done to reconcile healthy and beautiful hair with hair dyeing.

Do ammonia free hair colour really exist?

Unfortunately, we cannot dye our hair without the usage of ammonia. It is this very ingredient which enables colour pigments to enter hair cortex and, as a consequence, change colour of hair. What is more, it is impossible to eliminate ammonia completely out of hair dyes. On the other hand, all that can be done in this case is the usage of ammonia in a lesser extend that is used in a typical hair dye. In some cases it is also possible to replace ammonia with some other substances.

How does ammonia influence our hair?

The level of ammonia concentration varies accordingly from particular hair dyes. It goes without saying, that the safest option for our hair are those hair colours that comprise of the lowest possible percentage of ammonia. Obviously, the more ammonia in hair dye, the worse four our hair, simply because these become matt, dry and rough. What is more, after treating our hair with ammonia hair scales stay open, and this in turn, results in faster colour purge off. Fortunately, on the market there are available hair dyes that not only consist of fairly low concentration of ammonia but are also enriched with additional moisturizing, nourishing and smoothing substances.

What to use instead of ammonia?

Ammonia can be substituted with substances such as MEA, AMEA and AMP. Likewise ammonia, the concentration of these substances plays in here an important role. Again, the lower concentration, the safer hair dye. High concentration of MEA and AMP change the substances into caustic and toxic. Definitely, MEA is less effective than ammonia because it works quite delicately and does not bring such clear results. For that reason, MEA needs to be used in greater concentrations. Hair dye with the high amount of MEA must be washed down thoroughly, even two or three times. At the end, it is advisable to apply a hair conditioner.

Since you know what are ammonia, MEA and AMP and how they affects hair, maybe it is worth resigning from hair dyeing and stick to your natural hair colour? However, if you cannot do without hair colorization, choose those hair dyes which are of low ammonia and AMP concentration. It is also suggested to focus on the appropriate hair care. For example, use shampoo and conditioner dedicated for dyed hair. What is more, once a month visit a hairdresser to have hair moisturizing treatment done.