A decade ago, permanent chemical hair colors appeared on the Indian market front. Before that people mainly used Godrej Hair dye or natural Henna. L'Oreal prevailed in the market for very long, then came Revlon and Garnier. At least I had seen ads for only these. Then L'Oreal launched Casting Creme Gloss with No Ammonia with the tag line: It's the Hair Color you had been waiting for and Revlon had a similar product Revlon Color Silk that said "Say no to Ammonia".
Ever wondered how these brands may be playing with your knowledge by promoting Ammonia-Free hair colors that are actually equally harmful to you? Just because you do not smell Ammonia fumes, does not make the product innocent and safe for you.
Ammonia is added to permanent hair colors because it opens the outer layer of the hair shaft (the cuticle) to help the chemical get inside the hair. PPD works as a color developer, so it is an essential ingredient in every chemical hair color, else the color will not work on your hair. Ammonia helps give better color but damages hair over time, leaving them weak. The penetrated ammonia gradually damages the hair from inside and you are exposed to it every time you touch up or color your hair.
Hair Colors that claim to be Ammonia-free contain Ethanalomine and Resorcinol. These do the same work that Ammonia does and there are no burning fumes like Ammonia. So people think they are using something mild, when it is not like that.
Ethanalomine is used in lower concentration in semi-permanent hair colors and in higher concentration in permanent ones. This chemical also penetrates the hair and leaves them weak. The hair color fades and the hair structure deteriorates gradually.
Ethanalomine is used in lower concentration in semi-permanent hair colors and in higher concentration in permanent ones. This chemical also penetrates the hair and leaves them weak. The hair color fades and the hair structure deteriorates gradually.
Almost all prevailing hair colors in the market today also contain Resorcinol. You can read more about the dangers of Resorcinol here.
Here are the dangerous ingredients I found in the prevailing hair colors in the market:
Bigen ingredients: Ethanolamine, Resorcinol
Bigen ingredients: Ethanolamine, Resorcinol
Wella Kolestint ingredients: Ammonia, Resorcinol
L'Oreal Casting Creme Gloss ingredients: Ammonia, Resorcinol
L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme ingredients: Ammonia, Resorcinol
Streax Hair Color ingredients: Ethanalomine, Resorcinol
Radico Italiano hair color: Only Ethanalomine, No Resorcinol
STRUCTURE OF A HAIR STRAND:
HOW DO CHEMICAL HAIR COLORS WORK?
Here I am giving a general explanation. For detailed explanation for each type of chemical hair color, please refer to the article Difference between Permanent, Demi-Permanent, Semi-Permanent and Temporary Hair Colorants.
All chemical hair colors contain PPD (p-phenylenediamine), ammonia and/or resorcinol.
1. When you apply a chemical hair dye/color, the ammonia and/or resorcinol open the cuticles to allow the chemical molecules enter inside the hair.
2. Then a series of reactions take place inside the hair.
3. The PPD reacts with oxygen and gets converted to quinonediimine.
4. Quinonediimine then reacts and couples up with other chemicals in the coloring paste.
5. Finally these coupled molecules again react with oxygen (oxidize) and result in the final color molecule, which is big in size.
6. Being big, the dye/color molecule now cannot escape out of the hair through the open cuticles so these stay inside the hair. Hence the color gets deposited inside the hair shaft (in the middle layer cortex). For temporary, semi and demi-permanent hair colors, the color molecules are partly on the outer layer cuticle and some enter the middle layer Cortex.
All chemical hair colors contain similar ingredients. The reason some of these are milder as compared to some others is simply that the percentage of these ingredients vary in different hair colors. Some may have more ammonia and PPD which is why they cause scalp burning and hair fall even in a few months usage while some other chemical colors may have less of these, which makes them milder and tolerable for a longer period. Ultimately all chemical hair dyes will result in hair fall, a burnt or sensitive scalp, damaged, brittle and dry hair.
From my personal experience and from user feedback on my blog, L'Oreal hair colors are milder than other hair colors in the market, though chemically they are nowhere less harmful.
PPD CONTENT IN VARIOUS HAIR COLORS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET:
This information is derived from the packaging of these hair colors and I have mentioned these in no particular order.
1. Garnier Color Naturals Nourishing Permanent Hair Colour: PPD content in the ready to use dye-developer mix is not more than 0.5%
2. Bigen Easy 'n Natural Hair Color: PPD not more than 0.71% after dilution as per manufacturer's instructions for use.
3. Streax Hair Color (Hygienic Research Institute Pvt. Ltd. ): PPD content not more than 2%
4. Super Vasmol 33 Kesh Kala (Hygienic Research Institute Pvt. Ltd. (HRI)): Paraphenylenediamine contents not exceeding 4%
5. Khadi Herbal Mehandi Black - Paraphenylene Diamine after dilution not more than 2% in powder it is not less than 2%
6. Bigen Men's Beard Color - P-Phenylenediamine not more than 1.46% after dilution as per manufacturer's instructions for use
7. Bigen Men's Speedy Color - P-Phenylenediamine not more than 0.88% after dilution as per manufacturer's instructions for use
8. L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Color: 0.5%
9. L' Oreal Casting Creme: NIL (no PPD)
9. Revlon Top Speed Hair Color: PPD content 2%
10. Revlon Color Silk Hair Color P-Phenylenediamine content after recommended dilution with Developer 1.125% w/w or less
11. Revlon Color N care Permanent Hair Color cream: PPD content after recommended dilution with developer 0.90% w/w or less.
12. Godrej Expert Rich Cream Hair Color: PPD content not more than 1% in ready to use mixture.
Please understand that high speed hair colors which claim to color your hair in 5-10 minutes are obviously more dangerous than the other colors. These can permanently damage your scalp and cause baldness. Revlon and Bigen are two brands that make such fast speed hair colors for the use on the head or the beard.
STRUCTURE OF A HAIR STRAND:
 |
| The outer frilly layer is called the Cuticle. It protects the hair. The middle layer is the Cortex. It provides strength to the hair The innermost layer is Medulla. It also provides strength to the hair |
Here I am giving a general explanation. For detailed explanation for each type of chemical hair color, please refer to the article Difference between Permanent, Demi-Permanent, Semi-Permanent and Temporary Hair Colorants.
All chemical hair colors contain PPD (p-phenylenediamine), ammonia and/or resorcinol.
1. When you apply a chemical hair dye/color, the ammonia and/or resorcinol open the cuticles to allow the chemical molecules enter inside the hair.
2. Then a series of reactions take place inside the hair.
3. The PPD reacts with oxygen and gets converted to quinonediimine.
4. Quinonediimine then reacts and couples up with other chemicals in the coloring paste.
5. Finally these coupled molecules again react with oxygen (oxidize) and result in the final color molecule, which is big in size.
6. Being big, the dye/color molecule now cannot escape out of the hair through the open cuticles so these stay inside the hair. Hence the color gets deposited inside the hair shaft (in the middle layer cortex). For temporary, semi and demi-permanent hair colors, the color molecules are partly on the outer layer cuticle and some enter the middle layer Cortex.
All chemical hair colors contain similar ingredients. The reason some of these are milder as compared to some others is simply that the percentage of these ingredients vary in different hair colors. Some may have more ammonia and PPD which is why they cause scalp burning and hair fall even in a few months usage while some other chemical colors may have less of these, which makes them milder and tolerable for a longer period. Ultimately all chemical hair dyes will result in hair fall, a burnt or sensitive scalp, damaged, brittle and dry hair.
From my personal experience and from user feedback on my blog, L'Oreal hair colors are milder than other hair colors in the market, though chemically they are nowhere less harmful.
PPD CONTENT IN VARIOUS HAIR COLORS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET:
This information is derived from the packaging of these hair colors and I have mentioned these in no particular order.
1. Garnier Color Naturals Nourishing Permanent Hair Colour: PPD content in the ready to use dye-developer mix is not more than 0.5%
2. Bigen Easy 'n Natural Hair Color: PPD not more than 0.71% after dilution as per manufacturer's instructions for use.
3. Streax Hair Color (Hygienic Research Institute Pvt. Ltd. ): PPD content not more than 2%
4. Super Vasmol 33 Kesh Kala (Hygienic Research Institute Pvt. Ltd. (HRI)): Paraphenylenediamine contents not exceeding 4%
5. Khadi Herbal Mehandi Black - Paraphenylene Diamine after dilution not more than 2% in powder it is not less than 2%
6. Bigen Men's Beard Color - P-Phenylenediamine not more than 1.46% after dilution as per manufacturer's instructions for use
7. Bigen Men's Speedy Color - P-Phenylenediamine not more than 0.88% after dilution as per manufacturer's instructions for use
8. L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Color: 0.5%
9. L' Oreal Casting Creme: NIL (no PPD)
9. Revlon Top Speed Hair Color: PPD content 2%
10. Revlon Color Silk Hair Color P-Phenylenediamine content after recommended dilution with Developer 1.125% w/w or less
11. Revlon Color N care Permanent Hair Color cream: PPD content after recommended dilution with developer 0.90% w/w or less.
12. Godrej Expert Rich Cream Hair Color: PPD content not more than 1% in ready to use mixture.
Please understand that high speed hair colors which claim to color your hair in 5-10 minutes are obviously more dangerous than the other colors. These can permanently damage your scalp and cause baldness. Revlon and Bigen are two brands that make such fast speed hair colors for the use on the head or the beard.
I have personally used Henna, L’Oreal Majirel tubes, L’Oreal Excellence Creme, Revlon Color Silk, Garnier Color Naturals and then back to L’Oreal. Garnier color naturals created small bald patches near my crown. Revlon Colorsilk that claimed to be Ammonia Free had bad chemical fumes that stung my eyes and nostrils, and also left my hair like dry grass. L’Oreal Excellence was the only one that gave good gray coverage, but at the cost of thinning and weakened hair over time.
I colored my hair with chemical colors for almost 9 years. My hair became thin and brittle over time and the hair ends went drier and drier with the passage of time. Last 2 years I even had itching and burning in certain areas on my scalp. I kind of developed a sensitivity to ammonia as my eyes and nose could no longer take the strong fumes. The resorcinol based hair colors I tried did not suit me as they left a burning heated feeling on my scalp and the color did not last even 3 washes.
If you are coloring your hair out of necessity to cover gray, make sure only to touch-up the grays and not color your entire hair over and over again. Continuous full-head color applications leave the hair dry, brittle and breakage prone and also affect your scalp negatively. Continuous exposure develops scalp sensitivity and burning. Pregnant women should NOT use chemical hair colors during pregnancy.
If you continuously change your hair color for fashion, give a good gap between two full-head applications. Use special color-care shampoos. Avoid SLS based shampoos that would further rip-off moisture from your hair. Use natural hair masks once in a while to nourish your hair and scalp. There is plenty of information on the internet for DIY home-made hair masks. Alternatively, you can research for temporary hair color sprays that give you that glamour factor that you can sport on special occasions. It will prevent your hair and scalp from permanent damage.
UPDATE: In April 2013, I encountered some severe reactions when trying out Godrej Expert Rich Creme Hair Color and that incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In May 2013, I decided to switch to natural hair coloring and started experimenting with Henna and Indigo, which are 100% natural plant dyes and cover your grays to your natural hair color. By Nov 2013, my experiments and research turned fruitful and I now have a 100% chemical free method to color my hair. I will complete a year of Natural Hair Coloring in May 2014 and have never looked back, because I now have achieved my dream hair: long, silky, shiny and strong. I have also implemented aromatherapy as a part of my hair care routine along with Henna and Indigo natural hair coloring method.
If you are coloring your hair out of necessity to cover gray, make sure only to touch-up the grays and not color your entire hair over and over again. Continuous full-head color applications leave the hair dry, brittle and breakage prone and also affect your scalp negatively. Continuous exposure develops scalp sensitivity and burning. Pregnant women should NOT use chemical hair colors during pregnancy.
If you continuously change your hair color for fashion, give a good gap between two full-head applications. Use special color-care shampoos. Avoid SLS based shampoos that would further rip-off moisture from your hair. Use natural hair masks once in a while to nourish your hair and scalp. There is plenty of information on the internet for DIY home-made hair masks. Alternatively, you can research for temporary hair color sprays that give you that glamour factor that you can sport on special occasions. It will prevent your hair and scalp from permanent damage.
UPDATE: In April 2013, I encountered some severe reactions when trying out Godrej Expert Rich Creme Hair Color and that incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In May 2013, I decided to switch to natural hair coloring and started experimenting with Henna and Indigo, which are 100% natural plant dyes and cover your grays to your natural hair color. By Nov 2013, my experiments and research turned fruitful and I now have a 100% chemical free method to color my hair. I will complete a year of Natural Hair Coloring in May 2014 and have never looked back, because I now have achieved my dream hair: long, silky, shiny and strong. I have also implemented aromatherapy as a part of my hair care routine along with Henna and Indigo natural hair coloring method.
Henna has restored my chemically damaged hair and scalp to my natural hair and has also added volume to my hair. The method is 100% safe. To know more details on my Hair Coloring Method and pictures, please see THIS ARTICLE.
Also Check Out:
Dying Gray Hair Black or Brown with Henna and Indigo
How to Take Care of Damaged, Brittle, Weak Hair and Damaged Scalp
Hair Care Tips for Chemically Colored Hair
Hair Care Tips for Very Short Hair
Also Check Out:
Dying Gray Hair Black or Brown with Henna and Indigo
How to Take Care of Damaged, Brittle, Weak Hair and Damaged Scalp
Hair Care Tips for Chemically Colored Hair
Hair Care Tips for Very Short Hair
Thanks for the informative article. Could you please review Godrej no-Ammonia products - the newly launched Godrej Expert Rich Crème hair
ReplyDeletecolour and Godrej ColourSoft.
Best,
Hi there, I will surely check the availability at my nearest market and review the ingredient list. This may take time so please remind me on email later. I don't use Godrej hair products so won't be able to provide a personal experience on it.
DeleteWhile it claims no ammonia, the fact that these are semi-permanent, is enough to believe these have resorcinol. I have used one such color from Radico and while that made my hair super soft, the color didn't last even a few days.
Also, colors with resorcinol feel like hair dye. While washing, the hair feel super satiny and you see a lot of froth coming out of hair. Hair color is initially VERY dark and keeps becoming light with every wash. But actually these come with the same risk as that of ammonia based hair colors. Common sense says adding sugar to poison won't make the poison less potent.
Okay so i have finally tried Godrej Rich Creme and will be reviewing it shortly. Stay tuned.
DeleteI have already reviewed and you can check the review under 'Haic Care' section above.
DeleteThanks Gagan. Is Loreal casting better than excellence?
ReplyDeleteDear Meenakshi,
DeleteGo for excellence if you want gray coverage. It is stronger and lasts longer than casting creme. Contains ammonia for the color to open the hair and go deep into it.
Go for casting creme if there are only a few gray hair or if you want a color change to feel good. Claims it lasts a certain number of hair washes but actually lasts less. Contains resorcinol, but milder than excellence.
Practically whichever you choose, in case of gray hair, need to reapply after 15-30 days as original hair color becomes quite visible at roots within a week. Hope this answers :)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your informative article. I have got wiser on Ammonia and/or Resorcinol. The quest remains for something that may prove less damaging than either of these...
Could you advise on use of Black Henna? This is what I found:
Thanks.
Black henna is not pure henna, but contains para-phenylendiamine (PPD), which helps make the powder, or paste, black. The result of black henna will indeed be black hair; however, precautions should be taken to avoid health risks, which can include severe allergic reactions and skin blistering.
Read more: How to Make Black Henna Paste for the Hair | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4423078_make-black-henna-paste-hair.html#ixzz2L8iJVwjz
Sorry for replying late on this as the comment has a link in it and it was delivered in spam comments. The black henna available in market is chemical based hair dye. There is also a natural henna called 'Indigo' which imparts a dark purple/blackish color to hair. The regular red/orange henna you see in the market is 2nd variation and there is a 3rd one which just conditions and does not color hair. Mixing the red one (lawsenia inermis?)+ indigo + the one that conditions can give you a good natural hair color but you need to read on the internet how much to mix and how to use. Hope this helps.
DeleteI researched on this and WOULD NOT recommend black Henna with PPD to anyone. Khadi herbal BLACK Henna also contains PPD. PPD is illegal for use on skin in Western Countries but many Henna brands in India openly use it and market black Henna. For dangers of using Black Henna with PPD, please read this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna#.22Neutral_henna.22_and_.22black_henna.22
DeleteHi Gaganpreet, thanks for such an informative blog.
DeleteOnce you've mentioned about - your research with Henna ( brownish, indigo, color less) to get a blackish hue. Is there any breakthrough on that?
Also can you please review the 'Keya Seth Aromatherapy' range of hair-colors?
[They've a powder supposedly made of tea,amla, etc... And an oil that they're claiming to be 'aroma oil'; and 'NO chemicals' considering the hair also does not turn black instantly unlike chemical products that work based on oxidation]
Thanks much in advance, Sayan!
Dear Sayan, I have already started using Henna and Indigo and really hope I don't have to go back to chemical colors. Hair quality has improved and volume too. I feel so free now I can apply any oil any natural hair treatments whenever I want, without having to worry about color washout. I have had only one Indigo application so far and I can see that it does work. I was supposed to reapply within 10 days and a third application 20 days after that. But unfortunately the day I had planned a second application, I got my right hand burnt.
DeleteThe wound has just dried and I can now put hand in water for some time so thinking of restarting with that soon. I will soon be sharing on the blog, but it needs time to first reach my satisfaction level with it and know enough to discuss in detail. If you would like to wait, then check back after a month. I use Patanjali/Ramdev Henna and Indigo powder (which works on oxidation). If you want to start while I am also using it, you can email me for details. For Keya Seth hair colors, I will need to research and it may take some time.
Hi Gaganpreet,
DeleteThanks for the response and that too a quick one!
Sorry to hear about your right-hand-burn, good that it is healing.
I would wait if you can derive the 'right ratio' of the different indigo based on your vast experience. Otherwise I can very well get started in a month in parallel with you.
I've waited for 2+ years now(am 33+), only because I do not want to apply 'chemical color with loads of side-effects' - many people have been asking me to use hair-color!!!
Till now my occasional searches on hair-color did not return a blog/site as informative, first-hand experience based and reliable, 'hope inducing' (in favor of 'natural black') like yours!
Waiting....
Best Regards,
Sayan
Thanks for your wishes Sayan and I am glad you found the information I have shared to be dependable and reliable. Talking of ratio, I learnt that when you mix Indigo, Henna and/or Cassia (the colorless powder), it may not give gray coverage for a long period and washes out quicker. The one method that I know to surely work, so far, is the two step method. Step 1: Henna and Step 2: Indigo. BUT there is a proper way of making a paste for these two, the temperature requirement and other details. Things that work for Henna do NOT work for Indigo, both are very different. Also, initially it will require additional care as both Henna and Indigo are plant colors and they have an astringent/drying effect on the hair. You will need to shift to a non-SLS shampoo else the color will wash out soon. After several applications, both both Indigo and Henna will change from temporary to demi-permanent and in the long term, almost permanent, which may mean less maintenance and less frequent applications in the future.
DeleteI had only two coats of Henna when I started with Indigo and Indigo works only on Henna'd hair. SO in my case it has washed out in 3 weeks (not bad at all).
For guys, it is much easier as you they shorter hair. I have almost knee length hair so it is a tedious process for me. But we all devise our tips and tricks and my second Henna application was much smoother and easier. I also think you should give this a try first before considering chemical hair colors.
If you are on Facebook, please like my page or subscribe by email to support this blog. Going to do a post on Henna, Indigo and Cassia shortly.
Gagan,where can find indigo?pls tell me how to use it.am in terrible need to cover grey in darker share.
DeleteDear Rachna, I have emailed you the details. Will share on the blog once I have more substantial information from my experiments.
DeleteHi Gagan, I have gone through your blog and it is very informative.
DeleteI am planning to try patanjali henna+ indigo, can you please share me the details of getting indigo. I searched in couple of ayurvedic centers here in hyderabad,but dint find indigo anywhere.
Looking forward to hear from you.
You can email me after becoming a member (refer Blog Policy) and I will be happy to share the details over email. There is a proper way of preparing the Henna and Indigo pastes and it's too lengthy to share here. And please use your real name for commenting as mentioned above the comments box.
Deletewhat about super vasmol kesh kaala, though heard its a mess to apply overnight and its repeated application will color naturally. how true? n reliable? i have heard
ReplyDelete.....
I don't know dear as I have not tried it and also don't intend to. Also, I checked with a few neighbors but haven't yet found anyone who can give feedback on this. If ever I find anything, I will update in comments here.
DeleteSo I finally researched on this. Super Vasmol Kesh Kala does make hair black in a few applications but I would NOT recommend it to anyone. Here is the ingredient list of Super Vasmol 33 Kesh Kala:
DeleteHenna, paraphenylene diamine (PPD), sodium perborate, sodium CMC, tartaric acid, SLS powder, aamla, bhringraj, jasund, jatamansi powder and perfume
When used in hair dye, the PPD amount must be below 6%, and application instructions warn that the dye not touch the scalp and the dye must be quickly rinsed away. Super Vasmol Kesh 33 Kesh Kala contains 4gms of PPD in 100 ml which is like 4% and is on the higher side. Godrej Expert Creme Hair Color packet says: PPD content not more that 1% in ready to use colorant. I am yet to check with L'Oreal as to how much PPD they use. But so far Vasmol Kesh Kala seems to be the highest. That and the cheaper price has ironically made it a favorite thing to commit suicide in numerous cases for the past many years.
For details on PPD poisoning, please refer to this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna#.22Neutral_henna.22_and_.22black_henna.22
Am a chicken for hair colour and still crave for mad colorss... Any suggestions where I can find crazy colors in Delhi ncr or online loreal maji are not anywhere to be found
ReplyDeleteAlso
Where can I get that violet heena and condition heena...heard for the first time all I ever saw was red one
Plz reply asap
Dear Eesha, if you so love coloring your hair, try out the hair chalks at buyincoins.com (Review available under 'Online Shopping' section). You will need a hair straightener to seal in the color. I wanted to try them but don't have a hair ironing tool yet. The Indigo and the conditioning colorless Henna are available online on many sites. You can buy from Radico Mall (See the Radico article under Makeup and Body art Tab above) or you can buy from Indiamart.com. There are numerous other websites that sell these. Just do some Google Search or you may also see some ads on the blog page when you check the Radico article. I think I have seen majirel online on a few sites, need to check. There are many shops in West Delhi that sell Majirel, I know one in Vikaspuri and one in Rajouri main market.
DeleteHii Gaganpreet
ReplyDeleteThanks for the useful info on your blog.
I want to color my hair for gray coverage I have 40%gray. I was browsing for demipermanent hair colors and came across your blog. Please suggest me which hair color should
I use. Sunab or Italino from Radico or any other brand.
Just replied to your email in detail :) Please check.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have grays in the front portion of my head and used vegetal hair color - but although it is ppd and ammonia free it does not cover grays completely. Can you suggest some alternatives?
I have also tried many colors but sadly permanent hair colors are the only one that give long lasting gray coverage. But you need to take special care so hair quality does not degrade. Go for l'oreal excellence or any permanent hair color of your choice. Cover ONLY the grays and don't go for full head application at any cost. Switch to a non-SLS shampoo and reduce the use of conditioner to the minimum. This is what benefited me personally. If you have further questions, please go through the blog policy and contact me on email.
DeleteHi Gagan
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very very informative !
I want to touch up my mother's few greys and decided on Loreal excellence creme after reading your blog.
Can you please suggest a nonSLS shampoo also
Thanks
Dear Neea, thank you :) and glad you find my blog helpful. For coloring your mother's hair, touch up is a good idea. Please do not do a full head application unless required.
DeleteI use Organic Surge Color Protect Shampoo. You can read the review under 'Hair Care' section above. I recently bought their conditioner also but didn't like it. Need to use it more before reviewing it, but the shampoo is good. The prices have recently been increased. You can buy from medplusbeauty.com but do email them first to get the mfg and expiry dates.
I am also looking for a cheaper non-SLS shampoo. I will update if I happen to come across any other good one.
I developed bald patches near my crown as a result of using Bigen Speedy for about 8 years. I also began getting rashes on the scalp. Do you think there is a way to get hair back to these spots? I am not using any color now.
ReplyDeleteYes there is a good chance of getting you hair back if you leave certain things to mother nature for the time being and give some love to your scalp. It was wise to stop coloring in such circumstances. I can understand because I have also recovered from burning scalp a few months ago.
DeleteThere is a homeopathic medicine called Scalp Tone (Price Around INR 65) You can easily get from any homeopathy pharmacy or doc. Start taking that. Put a gap of 1-2 weeks between each bottle. Take Evion (Vit E) capsules. Can get from chemist shop. Again do not take regularly, put at least 1 week gap between every leaflet of capsules.
Apply Aloe Vera Gel on the scalp. See if you can procure a plant. It is easily available and requires least maintenance. See article under 'Hair Care' section above. It will heal your scalp.
I have 1 more suggestion, but not sure how much it will work. Try if u want to. Glycerine induces hair growth. Try applying glycerine overnight on a small patch just as an experiment to see it that helps. At least it won't harm too if nothing happens :)
I want to suggest massaging the area with an essential oil but need to check which one is more helpful for hair: Wheat Germ/Jojoba or Vit E oil. See if yo can research.
Be patient and more importantly be happy, positive and thankful. Keeping faith is the key.
Once recovered fully, you can think of starting with a good color in the future.
Hope this helps!
Try Rosemary essential oil and add it to your regular hair oil (coconut/olive as a carrier oil). Rosemary oil promotes hair growth and treats scalp.
Deletehi, your blog is brilliant. can you please review loreal innoa. the salons in dubai charge a fortune for it saying it is safe. i wonder how safe. thanks
ReplyDeleteDear Aliya, thanks for the compliment :) I just called up L'Oreal and they refused to give any information on INOA as it is a salon only product. But you can read in detail about L'Oreal INOA hair color in this article:
Deletehttp://www.organiccolorsystems.com/inoa-hair-color/
According to one of the links given in the article, the after-color shampoo for INOA hair color contains ammonium hydroxide (Ammonia binded with water) and serves the same purpose as ammonia does in the hair color. The ammonia in the shampoo helps open the hair cuticle to take the color inside to the cortex. Hope this helps!
Hi,
ReplyDeletecame across ur blog recently and found it very informative.
I hit upon this product called Nature Herbals. It claims not to have any chemicals and says it's non-allergic, non irritant and safe.
Touted as 100% natural herbal hair color, the list of ingredients comprise henna, brahmi, manjishta, amla, indigo, catechu, coffee, bhangra and aloevera.
I used it and my gray hair turned black after couple of applications - after washing it off after keeping it for at least 3-hrs.
I was wondering if it is possible to get black color without the use of ammonia, PPD, et al.
Could u pls review this product? It is being manufactured by Nature Herbals. in Faridabad.
Thx
Indigo does give black color to hair and catechu is Kathaa, the one they use in paan and it is meant to bring dark brown tone to Henna. I need to know if you applied it on natural hair or chemically treated hair? Also, how long ago did u apply and how black did your hair turn? Frequent reapplications make Henna enter inside the hair shaft just like permanent hair colors. If your hair turned unnaturally black, there could be some chemicals. The one with Catechu is generally meant to give dark brown shade and not black. I just checked this brand also manufactures black henna (kaali mehndi) which has PPD and while mixing it, you see big bubbles fluffing up and takes longer to mix in water.
DeleteHi,
DeleteThx for the reply.
I applied this on natural hair and I have never chemically treated my hair.
I applied this one after using Shehnaz henna on the previous day. That is i applied henna on a saturday and let it stay on for 3 hrs before washing it off. The very next day i applied this particular natural stuff i procured from a herbal shop here. This also i let stay on for 3 hrs before washing it off.
The color it has imparted is not unnaturally black. in fact, it gels well with my black hair that has a slight brown tinge.
My worry is that it may contain PPD or ammonia. What do you say?
Thx
I just did it as an experiment bese I found that use of Vegetal was not giving me the desired result...
Hi. If your hair color had ammonia, the fumes would have shot straight to your brain and your eyes and nostrils would have burnt really bad. You can SMELL ammonia, it's so strong. If it had PPD, you might have seen strange bubbles fluffing up while mixing it with water. From what you are telling, the color is due to Indigo and Katha (Catechu). Now what you need to see is how long this color stays and how it fades. Indigo usually stays for a very sot period and on some people it stays longer, depending on individual hair quality and porosity. If it starts lightening and fading off naturally, it did not have any harmful chemicals. Can you confirm what was the color of the Henna after you prepared a paste with water and if it easily mixed with water like normal Henna or you found something strange while mixing up?
DeleteHi,
DeleteThere were no bubbles, nor bad smell while mixing this product...and the henna I used was Shehnaz...
It has been more than a week and the color has stayed so far.
That's great then. I remember you were worried about the Henna+herbs mixture from Nature Herbals and not the Shehnaaz one, right? Indigo comes off faster but not at one week. It will stay for another week or more than that. I will do a post on PPD soon, so stay tuned or it would be great if you can subscribe through Facebook or Email.
Deletehi...
DeleteI have subscribed via mail.
Thx so much
Thank you :) Appreciate that. Since you are a member now, you can also email me any questions to my email ID onlygraymattermatters@gmail.com, in case you need any specific or personal advice.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeletecan you review Schwarzkopf Essensity and whether it is better than inoa?
thanks
Hi Roopali, even though Schwarzkopf Essensity boasts of no ammonia and no harmful chemicals, it may have resorcinol because there needs to be something to open the hair shaft to let the color in. It is a salon only product. If I find the ingredient list, I will update the review here. Need time to research this. And I think it is better than INOA. Would be able to confirm only if I get the ingredients list.
DeleteHi Gagan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for ur wonderful tips.
I initially had 2 /3 greay hair and i made the mistake of plucking and i guess it has spread now..I have been using L'oreal Casting Creme darkest brown shade..
I go for root touch up every 4 or 5 weeks for the grey hair that pops out..
During application, my scalp turns in to red colour. Can u please suugest ways to get rid of tht and also is 4 or 5 weeks advisable?
Thanks
Hi. Do you mean your scalp absorbs some of the color which looks red for the next few days? It could be an application error as the person needs to concentrate more on your hair roots that rubbing the color into the skin. That color can go off only with shampooing but not advisable to use shampoo for a few days after coloring. For removing stains from hairline or forehead, you can simply use a skin toner.
Delete4 weeks is what is followed everywhere but if it is possible to give a higher gap by simply changing your hair parting, try to do that whenever possible.
Hi, very informative blog.. :) thanks.... I am about to you Godrej Expert Rich Crème hair on my hair... I initially had 3 white hair, but a friend plucked and now almost the entire left side has white hair, I use to apply Henna initially natural, but it gave a bad orange color which did'nt stay, so switched on to colors.
ReplyDeleteI first used Godrej Renew I guess, and it was fine, I next used Streax, which gave me a lot of hair fall.
I want you advice on Godrej Expert Rich Crème, and also how to apply it. Do we apply it on the roots or not ?
Thank you.
Hi dear. Glad you found my blog helpful. Coincidentally I was working on a review for Godrej Expert Rich Creme from last few days. I published it today. You can read here:
Deletehttp://onlygraymattermatters.blogspot.in/2013/04/godrej-expert-rich-creme-hair-colour-review.html
Streax is manufactured by the same company that makes Vasmol Kesh Kaala and the PPD content in Streax is also higher than other hair colors. Will do a post about that, so stay tuned. Regarding Henna, please readthe previous comments on this page, it will be helpful to you. YOu can get good natural dark brown and black color with Henna too. I am currently doing research on that for myself too and if I come to anything really breakthrough, I would share with all my readers.
Wow dear what an excellent review. Very useful.i m so happy u gve usefl tips
ReplyDeleteThank you so much dear
My email is srisharadas@yahoo.con
Plz mail your email id
Ive more to know from you
Dear my email ID is onlygraymattermatters@gmail.com. If you have any general questions, you can ask here in the comments. For personal advise, please become a member of my blog on Facebook or Subscribe by email and then email me. I will be happy to help.
DeleteHi thanks for information and guidanc. Pls suggest best natural color as I get rashes and itching after using hair colors from loreal bigen tried many colors but not comfortable
ReplyDeleteHi, you can try 'Radico Sunab' from Radicomall.com or check if there is a discountedone available at snapdeal.com. It is costly but it is especially made for people who are allergic to chemical hair colors. If you do not have much grays, you can try their 'Color Me Organic' range which is priced at Rs 600 but it's more apt for fashion than gray coverage.
DeleteElse you can try Henna with Indigo powder, Katha, Manjeetha, hibiscus leaves, methi, amla, bhringaraj etc added to it. There are many ready made available in the market and you just need to add indigo powder and Kathha (Catechu) to make the color dark brown rather than orange. Just do some reasearch on the internet and you may find the right mix. If you buy a ready made one, please make sure that the ingredient list does not say "Key Ingredients" coz such companies put harmful textile dyes or other harmful chemicals which they don't disclose.
Hi, Am 28 yes old and I have lot of grey hairs. I want to color that, and my hair color is dark brown, i want to color like the same.used some godrej products 2 times.. but very much disappoited on that. I dont have strong long hair, but atleast i want to maintain this.seems you have helped lot of friends. could you please help me as well.. Need a brown color, with min(no) side effects... because long way to go :(
ReplyDeleteDear Priya, I provide personal consultation only to blog members. Please read the Blog Policy from the links/tabs at the top. Once you become a member of the blog through facebook and/or email subscription, email me at onlygraymattermatters@gmail.com. I will then send personalized advice.
DeleteHi Gagan
ReplyDeleteRead the above article...Got very informative knwoledge..Thanx for ur sharings...
I am 36years old and my 50-60% hairs are grey..Till now i am using Henna..But now i want to swtch to colour ( As Henna need huge soaking and application time) and being a working lady i get very less time for myelsf after family and kids time.As compare to Heena, color is easy to apply and also affordable.I discussed my problem with my parlour , and she suggested me to go for Matrix Hair colour Number 5 (globally first time and then only Root-touchs on regular basis and globally only if require 8mnts-1 year), She also mentioned that my grey hait gowrth would not increase by this but can be increased as per the time/age/hamones factors...I m also intrested in getting streaks / highlights after colour..
If possible can you pls give me your reviews on Matrix Hair Colour..Is it safe ??? or advisable to use...After reading ur article about loreal excellence , i talked with her on this too but she said that is for either 100% grey haor or more than 70-80% grey hair...
I am so confused ????...pls advise me shall i go for hair colour or not...
Also if possible if you can give me an idea on estimation charges for Hair Smoothening and straightening ( my hair length is Medium ,little below shoulders)..
Pls give me your detailed review on Matrix Hair Colour..
Or if any other color better than Matrix..
Thanks in Advance
Hi. Your concern is quite valid. However, your parlor lady actually seems to be talking you into getting it done just to make some quick money. Any parlor that tells people to apply chemical color over Henna-dyed hair is befooling customers. Chemical hair color will not stay on Henna'd hair until you give a gap of a few months without using any Henna, which won't be practically possible. Matrix is a lower range of L'Oreal and is a salon-only professional range, so I can't review it since I am not going to get it done on my hair. But it is an ammonia-based permanent hair color just like the higher-end L'Oreal Majirel professional range. For personal advise on the remaining questions, please read the Blog Policy from the tabs above and email me after becoming a member.
DeleteDear Gagan ,
ReplyDeletemy Bhabhi tried henna adding katha in it ,as i shared this tip given by you with her , henna packet was taken from Baba Ramdev's store, which claimed to have amla , bhringraj , green tea leaves in it..... , and u wont believe the colour , it was far better than chemical colour , the colour was so even n fine....thanks for this katha tip.....its more safe than chemical colours....
Regards
Chamandeep
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am 22 and my hair are turning grey..initially they were on the back side but now they are starting to show on the front too..earlier i applied henna but i want to use color now so that the color of my hair is even n nt henna dyed..i am also worried if using color will enhance the grey hair growth..my hair color is dark brown..plz advice what should i use and for how long does the color stay?
Thanks in advance.
Hi. If any of your parents or grand parents had early graying, it could be heredity. If that is not the case, it is good to check with a doctor too, in case you need any health supplements. Regarding how long the color stays, read my article under 'Hair Care' section which tells the difference between permanent, demi, semi permanent and temporary hair colors. You will also find other relevant articles. Permanent hair colors will affect your original hair color but demi-permanent ones should not increase the grays. Demi stays for up to 28 hair washes or less. I may need to ask a few more details from you before suggesting anything. Please become a member of the blog by liking the facebook page or subscribing by email. For details, read the last section of the 'Blog Policy' page above.
Delete
ReplyDeleteHi gagan
Want to become ur member by addding u on FB... Tried to search ur page but not found, pls help me !!!
I hv mentioned my problem earlier also on ur blog about my parlour suggesting matrix color...
Gagan, i hv checked with Lakme parlour also.. Actually for change style nd my look of hairs.. I want strait therpy, global color nd streaks colour on my hair.. As i m going out for vacations in weeks time, i want to change my style nd look... I wanted to hv all three in 3-4 days time but as per lakme it will effect my hairs..
So lakme advised me first for strait therpy nd then global & streaks color after the gap of 20-25 days....but i want it like : first color nd streKs nd then strait therpy.. But lakme professional said me that if i get color/ streaks first then i hv to wait for atleast 1 year for strait therpy... As if i go fir colour and strait ( after 25 days) , it may burn my hairs nd also fade 50% of the color of my hairs... I am so confused, pls advise as i have tomorrows appointment @ 10:30 am at lakme...
Pla tell can i go for global nd streaks first and then after 20-25 days for strait therpy... Pls help..
Regards
Dear I am already replying to your email right now. The Facebook Page Like button is in the top right corner of this page :)
Deleteor you can go to this address:
https://www.facebook.com/HonestReviewsAndLifestyleTips
Thanx gagan for precoius suggestion to me..
ReplyDeleteAs per ur advice , i hv taken global/ streaks ( schwarzkpof) from lakme and have dropped the idea of strait therpy as of now.. Will see later if my hairs and ur advice allow me to to get...
Well lov to visit ur blogs again for other useful information...
Thanx once again.. Rightnow as i told you sitting at Lakme.. Will share my color experience wirh you...
Thanx for ur co-operation...
I am so glad you modified your decision. It was disturbing me a lot thinking how harsh it would have been for your hair. It's great to test out things at least once in life so we don't have regrets later but yes, no hasty decisions :) I will email you a video that you should see. Sometimes we are not able to see our own beauty. I feel you ARE very beautiful the way you are :) Would love to know how your color came out.
DeleteSorry to bother u again but any reviews on KHADI's Henna ( black or brown) with ni chemicals ir 0.5% chemical, one is in white box packing and another is in green colour box packing... Rate rs. 50 /- nd 70/-...
ReplyDeleteRegards
I don't remember the Khadi Henna packing. The last time I visited a Khadi store was 3 years ago. Per my knowledge Khadi does not sell pure organic Henna. It is chemical mixed. It has a high content of PPD, so it's better to stay away from it. The one which gives you shade names is definitely chemical based. Are you the same person who had used nature herbals mehndi?
DeleteHey Gagandeep,
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful and very informative blog page. I live in Rajasthan and I need to know from where can I procure indigo powder and catheu powder to be used along with Heena. I do use chemical colours but I wish to switch to natural products.
Thanks for the compliment. I am glad you found this article helpful. Please email me and I will let you know how to procure these. Indigo you will need to buy online but there is a proper procedure on how to use it. And my name is Gaganpreet not Gagandeep :)
DeleteHello dear wow your article was sooo helpful.i have been colouring my hair from past many years to cover grey it only incresed my problems.then i switched to henna v care i was satisfied but suffered from severe sinusitis.so am unable to use henna.tried vasmol got soo fooled by the label though it was easy to apply and did cover my grey but there was thinning of hair in front almost looked bald.i was browsing for review on godrej keshkala.its when i found your blog.its very informative.now i am soo confused and worried because i am not able to use artificial colouring because it makes my hair dry and am not able to take that smell.unable to use henna becoz of sinusitis .but i dont even want to go greyhead at 35.please suggest something.thx in advance.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience with hair colors. It will be helpful to a lot of other readers. I can relate to most of the problems you have faced as I have also used chemical hair colors for almost 8-9 years. I shifted to Punjab a year and a half ago and due to the dire winters here, I too had mucus and severe colds which lead to some damage in my left ear. So I was also afraid of using Henna as Henna used to freeze my scalp literally. But last month when I decided to switch to Henna, I happened to add hot brewing coffee to it and that had a warming effect on my scalp, so much so, I couldn't keep it for more than 4 hrs it felt so warm. I have started using Henna and Indigo. Would have been done with my second Indigo application but got my hand burnt a few days ago, so things have got delayed coz of the wound. If you would like to try out my all natural method and some tips on Henna and Indigo, email me after joining the blog through Facebook like or email subscription (Please read Blog Policy above for details). I have some plans on how to use my Henna in the winters and have a few months till then to develop my own tips and tricks around it and trust me, the hair quality and volume has improved after switching to natural products. Hope this helps!
DeleteHi ma'am
ReplyDeleteI have had 10% of grey hair and i used to apply khadi henna on my hair after every month but i stopped due to my pregnancy n breastfeeding. In december i still had 10% of grey hair but i had gone for schwarzkopf strait therapy but now i hav 40% of grey hair n hair fall problem. There is a wedding in my family this week n cant let my hair open. I have asked alps saloon guy he is telling me to go for loreal color casting globally. I hav grey hair on my routes n i always wanted to go for streaks. Can u plz suggest what best can be done..
Thanks a ton.. :)
Hi dear. I understand people feel pressure to look good to maintain a certain social image but sadly they don't know where to draw a line. I am surprised even after damaging your hair so much with chemicals you still want to go for further chemical treatments.
DeleteI have not understood completely what exactly you want to go for. If you meant Casting creme global application + streaks, I think you may have to get that in two sittings. For streaks highlighting, you may first need bleaching of those hair strands so that a lighter color can be applied for highlighting, which may be chemical overdose for your already falling hair. In that case, I would suggest to go for color only and wait till your hair fall is controlled. Casting creme is fine but for 40% grays it would be high maintenance for you as casting creme is a temporary color and would last 20-28 hair washes only.
If you meant streaks OR color, then definitely streaks as they may camouflage the gray roots and would be less damaging than a full head application. But you would need to go for a very light blond shade or ash grey + blonde, which may camouflage the roots very well.
Thank u so much for a quick reply.. :) one thing is clear now dat i wont go for globally as it will worsen my condition. He told me dat streaks wont hide my grey hair. So what should i go for? I was never interested in streaks or coloring my hair but after straitt therapy i cnt apply khadi henna one of my frnd told dat.. What do u say? Can i apply or when i can apply? To attend a wedding dis week should i go for touch ups, streaks or khadi henna?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much..
Sorry, but you still didn't get it right. Also, in the first comment you said you always wanted to go for streaks, in the 2nd you are saying you never wanted streaks. Please be sure first.
DeletePersonal consultations are answered only on email. Please read the blog policy from the tabs above, become a member of the blog and email me for further advice.
Hi mam, I have been using inoa hair colour for last 2 years , but now I am facing some serious scalp problems.l want to go back to all natural way in terms of colouring, washing and even conditioning.l have around 70 persent gray hair.please reply soon.one more thing I want to know that from where can I buy those natural materials.I live in bangalore.
ReplyDeleteDear Nisha, if you are a member of my blog, email me. If not, please read the Blog Policy from the above tabs and then email me. I provide personal consultation only on to blog members, via email.
DeleteHi Gaganpreet,
ReplyDeleteI am a 28year old male, 40% of my hair is turned gray. I also have hair fall issue since 2years. So, I am worried of using any hair colors as I have heard it will aggravate hair fall. I reach a point where I need to do something about my graying.
So pleaassse suggest me on this
Thanks
Rahul, are you open to give Henna and Indigo a try? You will also need to switch to an SLS free shampoo. Henna and Indigo are very cost efficient and you can spend the money you will be using on colors on a good shampoo which will last you some 4-5 months or more. Simply these three things will restore a healthy scalp and beautiful hair. Both Henna and Indigo are plant colors and 100% safe but there is a proper way to use these. If interested become a member by joining my facebook page and subscribe by email. Then email me on the address given under Blog Policy. Personal consultation is available only to blog members.
DeleteHi gaganpreet,
ReplyDeleteI have few gray hairs oly on scalp i use vlcc black bt colur gt wash off in a week m tired of applyin it again n again so cud u pls mail me al d details about henna indigo n sls shampoo.my hairs r long n i really wan dem 2 luk beautiful as dey use to luk previously pls help me.
Sure Anchal. Please read the Blog Policy from above and then email me with the full name and details of your present hair color, which shampoo and hair care products/tools you presently use, what routine you follow before and after coloring. Also check out the Tips for colored hair care under the 'Hair Care' section. You cannot shift straightaway to Henna if you are currently using color. There's an article on that too. Most of the details are already present in the articles, take time to read them before you email me.
DeleteHi gagan
ReplyDeletei m using loreal excellence natural brown colour as i have lot of grey hairs on my crown area.Now i want to get rid of all chemicals and want to try henna and indigo.The only thing that scares me is the orange colour of the roots.Could u plz t help me about how to use henna and indigo.What will be the right proportion for first application.Also i want to become blog member.
Dear Rashmi, since you want to shift from chemical hair colors to henna, I would suggest reading my article on this under 'Hair Care'. You surely don't want to end up with red, green or multi color hair, so a gap of at least 3-6 months is required before you can make a shift. You may still start with Henna at the gray roots but for Indigo, I can't guarantee what color you will get if you don't give a gap. Indigo also won't work that soon for you. You will need several layers of Henna as a base before Indigo can even stick, else it will wash out very soon every time.
DeleteSo think about it and if you are mentally prepared to make a short term sacrifice for long term good, and can use Henna alone for a few times, please do a strand test with Henna. Indigo will cut out the orange and make the color more natural but you do need Henna applications for forming a base for Indigo. For further details, become a member of the blog and email me. For details, please see 'Contact Me' and email consultation policy under 'blog policy'.
Hello :
ReplyDeleteI have been using Marijel hair dye (black colour) for the last 7 years without any side effects. Of recent, since the last 2 applications, I have been getting cold and running nose after application of Marijel Hair Dye. What is the reason for this ? I avoid using any kind of Henna / Mehendi dyes as it causes cold.
7 years is a long period of chemical exposure. The running nose could be because of change in the colorant formula - mainly increase in Ammonia content. I have also used Majirel for a few years and then turned to L'Oreal Excellence. But around 7th-8th year, my scalp started burning and I got bad hair fall and lifeless hair. So it is also possible that finally your body has started showing signs that it cannot take it any more. How often do you color your hair? How many root touchups and when do you do a full head application?
DeleteHi Gagan.
ReplyDeleteThanx a lot for a very informative reply.But i m not able to find out from where i can get indigo.I live in Delhi.plz help.
I would be happy to share the details with you. Currently this info is only for members. Please email for details after subscribing by email and/or joining on my Facbook page.
DeleteThnx 4 the opinion..
ReplyDeletehi could any one tell me what type of colour i have to use in pregnancy? As im 17 weeks pregnant.
ReplyDeleteHi Eshaa, congratulations on the best creation of your life. You can use any hair color depending on how much gray you have, just make sure you don't color your hair often. The least exposure to chemicals during pregnancy, the best. I would suggest picking up L'Oreal casting creme or Excellence depending on whether you need a demi permanent or a permanent color (for details read the article under 'Hair Care'). You can even go for Henna and Indigo if you have never used a hair color before.
Deletethanks Gagan for this information :)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteLast four years I am regularly using revlon top speed but last few months I found lots of damage in my scalp. Small patches and heavy hair loss is found.
Dear Bhagyesh, You should discontinue using hair colors immediately, at least for some time. Any chemical hair color we use regularly for a few years would do that, but I have seen most cases with Garnier and Bigen. Most chemical colors have similar ingredients, but the composition/ percentage of these chemicals varies, which is why some colors prove more harmful than others. Give a gap of a few months and give some treatment to scalp.
DeleteYou can use rosemary essential oil in a base of coconut or Jojoba or Sweet Almond or olive Oil. 1 part of essential oil to 6 parts of base/carrier oil approximately. This will promote hair growth. Also, you can use Cassia to help treat your scalp. It is often referred to as neutral Henna. It conditions hair without giving any color and also treats scalp infection. If you have aloe vera around, you can also apply it's gel once in a while if it suits you.
Then once you feel better, you can switch to L'Oreal, which is quite mild as compared to other chemical colors. Also I don't know how frequently you used to color your hair, which could also be a deciding factor as to why you had such harm in 4 years only.
Dear Gagan,
ReplyDeletemy name is Esha, and want to kwn that it is safe to use hair removing cream in 2nd trimester, for bikini line.
Dear Esha, however tempting it may sound, can you please stay away from chemicals for your baby's sake? When I was pregnant, I didn't even get waxing done as that may cause pigmentation. Your body is in high absorption mode at this time and anything lotion, cream, product, medicine you put in/on your body is going to be quickly absorbed and some will pass to your baby. I had suggested in the prev comment also to stay away from chemicals as much as possible. You can keep a mirror in the front and use razor if it is that important to remove hair. Rest your wish.
DeleteI understand during this time the body changes and we want to make efforts to look good to feel the same confidence as before. Instead, concentrate on the beautiful voluminous hair you are going to get during pregnancy as hair fall does not happen during this time :)
Hi Gagan ! I am 41 years of age and have been using L'Oreal Excellence hair colour for the last about 12 years. I have been doing touch-ups on weekly basis and full hair every 7-8 months. The problem started 3-4 years back when I started suffering from excessive hair fall following which I started using L'Oreal shampoo for coloured hair but to no effect.The hair fall continued, rather increased with the passage of time, and presently i am suffering from excessive hair fall with thinning of hair dur to which my scalp (particularly on the front ) has started giving bald appearance. I cant leave my hair looking grey at this age by leaving hair colouring but then, what should I do ? Please guide me on my ordeal.
ReplyDeleteDear Neena, doing a full head application every 7-8 months is very wise, however, dog touchups every week for 12 years!!!! I personally used to give as much gap as possible between 2 touch ups and in winters, it is easier to maintain a gap with smart clothing like hats and caps. I do understand that a very tiny winy silver does start showing within a week as hair do grow that much, but touching up that small length is deliberate chemical overdose to your system. Even I got scalp problems only by 8th year or so but now I look back and see it could have been aggravated primarily by the L'Oreal professional shampoo I was using, which made my hair come out in bunches right from the roots.
DeleteSo L'Oreal shampoo definitely is not going to help you. I have a very bad experience with them. Moreover, any hair color you use for such a long period is bound to ultimately dry out our hair as more and more ammonia seeps in. You are lucky you could do it for such a long period as most people complain of problems within 2 years of continuous use particularly with Garnier.
For the moment, reduce the frequency to every 2 weeks and then move on to a 3 week gap. This will ultimately cut down your exposure to half or 1/3rd. If you have aloe vera around, use it's gel as a hair mask for at least half an hour before hair wash. Try Cassia (neutral Henna) hair masks. You can read more tips under colored hair care tips (Hair Care section above). If you need more personalised help, feel free to email me after becoming a member (pls refer blog policy).
Hi gagan,I found ur blog really useful...I am23 n have almost 30% of my hair r gray n I have been using henna for coloring which has made my hair dry n is causing hairfall,now I have switched to using henna only on roots instead of a whole henna pack........pls suggest me a way to regain my original hair texture n cover d grays too.....will it b safe to switch to dye at such a young age....or pls tell me some natural remedies to get rid of graying
ReplyDeleteShubhi
Hi Shubhi. My phone line was dead the past 5 days and I did not have internet access, so could not reply. Just saw your email too but I can't find you in the subscribers list. Please let me know your subscription/membership details.
DeleteHo ma'am ,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is full of information.
I have registered through mail id.
I am a corporate professional and u very well know that one has to look good in corporate world to sustain.
I had undergone straightening of hair twice in last three years. Earlier I had a very few grey hair now 70% of my hair have turned grey.
I have tried everything but nothing ladt long. My hair are coming out from roots the number is very large.
I have to cover grey have no option. Please please guide for a good color /henna application.
Dear Neeti, I had rebonding done only once and made it last for 2+ years. One thing I have learnt is that straightening and rebonding lighten your natural hair color, meaning the chemicals somehow damage the natural melanin in the hair. I have seen my black hair go golden brown after rebonding and the same effect in my bhabhi's hair. Also, hair fall after a few months of these therapies is seen in almost everyone I have come across. Even I used to have whole bunches of hair falling out straight from the roots and I have never looked that way again.
DeleteIn fact, looking good comes more from the inside than the outside looks. If you are confident about the way you carry yourself, your natural beauty is going to mesmerize people. That's what I believe in. So do not let this 'pseudo' pressure get to you. I was in the corporate world for 12 years but never thought that way. Just think about it :)
As your salon stylist may have informed you, there is a certain period before which you cannot color your hair after straightening. Can you tell me when did you last get your hair straightened. If it is quite recently, then Henna may give you pond green hair and hair colors will remove your straightening. There is a relevant article under 'Hair care' on this, pls read that too.
Thanks for the reply ma'am.
ReplyDeletei had undergone straightening in Aug 2011 and second time November 2012.
Salon stylist are after making quick money these days no one gives you a true solution to the problems.
i have lots of grey in my front hairline and crown area.
i used INOA,majirel,loreal casting,revlon color silk but all hair color fades away very quickly.
So since last one month i am using henna on my hair and in front area i use a little bit of color.BUt hair fall is not stopping.
I even used Segals solutions products but even that didsn't work.
I have forgot about hair straightening and will never go to salon for same treatment again in my life.
i am ready to use Patanjli Henna + Indigo just guide me how to use henna and indigo and as i have lost of grey hair will henna + indigo will give the required effect?
Please help me ma'am.
My main concern is :
1. How to cover grey ?
2. how to stop hair fall?
Neeti I provide personal consultation on email. Too many comments affect the load time of this page. Please email me and I will get back to you when your turn comes. I am busy till mid sept so please expect a delay in response. There are emails pending from last week. If you copy paste the comment from here, make sure to copy to a notepad file first and then copy to your email, else the orange background gets copied too.
DeleteHye Gagan,
ReplyDeleteI used Vasmol hair color product & then tried Godrej & other market products to cover my grey hair as i my hair get gray from my teen due to heredity problem. during that time my hair was heavy, lustrous & full of volume but now after using it for more than 5 years, my hair get very thin & also i suffer from hair fall.
Can you suggest me a natural hair color to cover my grey hair with adding volume in my hair
Regards Madhu
Hi Madhu, you can try Henna and Indigo. That is the only natural method that actually works close to chemical hair colors for dark hair-colored people like us. It requires some efforts initially but you can try for a few months and decide if you would like to continue. Also, during that period, your hair quality will improve due to these natural products.
DeletePlease email me after becoming a member (see Blog Policy for details). I would like to get some details on your present hair care routine to understand what other factors may be causing the hair fall.