Almost every single woman I know dyes her hair. Whether it’s to highlight her natural color, cover grays, or don a whole new look, using hair dye has become the norm. In fact, when I dyed my hair for the first time last year, my friends and co-workers were astonished. How, they wondered, had I gotten all the way into my 20s without booking a single color session or picking up boxed dye while running errands?
The short answer is that I liked my natural hair color. But I was also concerned about exposing my strands to harsh chemicals that would damage them. (My hair is so sensitive that I stockpile hair masks and oils like it’s my job. Shout out to Olaplex‘s take-home treatment . We’ve all seen the warnings on the boxes—even though they’re there to encourage safety and best practices, it’s still enough to put a little hesitation in mind.
This is where many people turn to organic hair dyes. With less chemicals and more natural ingredients, it gives them peace of mind (and maybe even healthier hair). But how does the color payoff and longevity compare? We asked experts to find out. Keep scrolling to see what two hair color experts have to say about organic hair dye.
, there is a real difference between conventional and organic hair dyes. “There are fewer chemicals and usually no ammonia in organic hair dyes.” Ammonia is the ingredient that conventional dye formulas use to penetrate the hair cuticle and deposit color. It has the potential to severely damage and weaken the hair, which is why people with sensitive strands (like myself) might find organic hair dye to be a better, healthier option.
Brown cautions that not all organic dyes are completely natural. “They are not chemical-free,” she says. While chemicals are present, they “rely on botanical ingredients and naturally derived ingredients.” The only truly 100% natural hair dye is henna, but even that has major drawbacks. Brown says henna-based dyes are “actually pretty harsh on the hair because they contain metallic salts.” In other words, natural doesn’t always mean healthy. It’s possible there are other additives or ingredients that can still harm the hair.
So what’s the best plan of action then? We want to choose the healthiest option, not only for our hair but for bodies too. After all, hair dye can come in direct contact with our skin, and we’re all about erring on the side of caution.
In my professional opinion, organic hair dye is less harsh on your hair.
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