The Chemistry Behind Hair Dyes And Hair Treatments

By Author: Anil Kumar
Total Articles: 58
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It was in the year 1909 that a commercial hair dye product was introduced. Since then, the hair dye sector has been continuously developing, and several varieties of these products are now available. Usage of hair dyes is now quite extensive. Whether you seek to hide grey hair or to give a new color to your hair, you will find the right product.

The color that your hair attains upon using this product is the result of a few reactions involving the chemicals in the dye, and the hair molecules. Whatever hair dye one intends to use, there are some chemicals commonly found in almost all these products. Let us now have a look at some of these elements.

Ammonia: Ammonia can be called the most important chemical present in hair dye. It is an alkaline substance that plays the crucial role of acting on the cuticle in such a way that a smooth passage is created. The color moves through this passage and goes down deep into the hair cortex. The user is then able to see the desired result.

Hydrogen peroxide: We now come to one more pivotal element found in a typical hair dye that is also an oxidizing agent. Here, reference ...
... is being made to hydrogen peroxide. A hair dye mixture includes several chemicals, all of which undergo oxidation because of hydrogen peroxide. Consequently, the dye gets firmly attached to the hair and gives it the preferred color.

PPD (Paraphenylenediamine): While discussing the chemistry of hair dyes, a special mention needs to be made of PPD, too. PPD is an element that has been an integral part of hair dyes right from the time when the product was first commercialized. Even to this day, its significance has not declined.

The use of PPD is seen more in the case of permanent hair dyes. This ingredient ensures that the hair doesn’t lose its naturality. Additionally, once the hair is colored with PPD dye, you can safely continue using your regular shampoo. The hair will not lose its color.

Ethanolamine: This mild chemical can be treated as an alternative to ammonia. It has to be noted that many people are now preferring hair color products that are free of ammonia. And, in most of these dyes, ethanolamine is the major ingredient. Though this chemical cannot keep the color of the hair intact for as long as is possible for ammonia-based dye, yet; there is an advantage. Ethanolamine colors are more gentle on the scalp and skin.

Resorcinol: Resorcinol is an ingredient used as a coupler. This substance interacts with the major chemical of the dye product to give a specific color.

Parabens: The importance of adding parabens to hair dyes can never be overstated. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of these ingredients make certain that the hair color product can be preserved for a long duration. It won’t get damaged.

Toluene-2, 5–Diamine: Many people want to buy a milder product to replace a PPD- based color. For these persons, dyes that include Toluene-2 or 5-Diamine are the best options.

It is always helpful when you are knowledgeable about both the chemicals in a hair color product and how they work. This helps you make better choices. Otherwise, you might end up with a hair dye product that fails to meet your requirements or is an inferior product offering.

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