Organic hair color in Bangkok : all you need to know
Look around you. Nowadays using hair dye has become the norm. Studies show that in 2019, more than 70 % of women are using hair colors. Whether it is to achieve a whole new look, to cover their grays, or to highlight their natural color.
In the same time, concerns about use of chemicals in our everyday life, nutrition, beauty, everywhere tend to be a real challenge to avoid. The organic lifestyle is in a big expansion in our modern societies.
So how can we conciliate those two different trends. All looks are recently turning to so called organic hair colors. Traditionally full of chemicals, a few brands have developed “organic” hair color, for those who are concerned about their hairs health. And let’s say it, health in general.
Is it a new marketing way to make us buy and pay more expensive some similar products or are they really better for us? Also the question is all about their efficiency. Are their results as long and permanent, the colors range as bright and wide than conventional hair dyes? Let’s develop.
What is exactly "organic" hair color?
The term “organic” color refers to hair color product made with the maximum of botanical, natural and organic origin ingredients, to replace the chemicals generally used.
So does 100 % organic color actually exists?
To be honest it doesn’t. The only 100% hair color is Henna. However, even though it is totally natural, it is still toxic for different reasons. Very harsh on hairs and containing metallic salts, so we don’t recommend it at all.
So in this marketing jungle, in which so many brands are claiming they are the best organic products, we still need to sort it out.
Indeed, as we saw 100% organic hair color is just impossible. The color would not stick, would not last, without at least a minimum quantity of chemical to let the magic happens.
Therefore what are the brands we can rely on?
After many tests on those products, in our opinion only a few brands are standing out.
And among those, we will pick up only 2 that gave us plenty of satisfaction regarding the color shades choice and lasting results.
Organic Color Systems from UK (OCS) and Natulique from Denmark.
OCS stands out by the variety of vibrant shades they offer such as electric colors (No limit series). But we regret that the product requires additional steps which is making it a bit longer to use. However we still love it, especially to achieve some bold trendy electric colored style.
Our favorite is definitely Natulique. Large choice of colors, classic to trendy, deep brown to pastels. We and our clients love it. Easy to use, same as a regular hair color, the results are amazing, last very long and great cover of the grays.
It is also our favorite in terms of reliability and for their ingredients, Almost 98% of natural organic ingredients to compose it.
The brand is also certified by the USDA standards for organic in USA, which is very tough on test.
Last but not least of its quality, is the ingredient composition they use to stick the color. To fix and deposit the pigment, they use some natural ingredient, such as hydrolyzed wheat protein.
What about ammonia free hair color?
If you choose only ammonia free hair color, let’s say it is better than nothing, but nothing more.
Actually it won’t ensure the client to have healthier hairs or to avoid an adverse reaction. It can reduce the probability of it of course, but it is not a 100% either.
It actually works well on clients who develop allergy on ammonia product or derivatives. What about the others chemicals? still plenty of them in regular colors.
Fortunately, public with allergy or adverse reactions is really anecdotic, but still it can happens. And what about the health of your body, your scalp, your skin in general?
Technically, non-ammonia brands replace the ammonia by Ethanolamine. Which is not harmless either. Its purpose is to raise the PH of the hair so the color molecule can penetrate into it easier and deeper. The question is to know the percentage used in the products, to know if the action on PH will deteriorate the hair. Indeed the cuticle will encounter difficulty to close again, the hair will be weak and the color will fade faster.
Still there are some good brands ammonia-free giving good and lasting results from our experience. At Niche Salon we also offer this possibility to our clients using Dia Richesse non ammonia from L’Oreal.
So does it worth it?
To sum up, the choice is in your hands. There is some alternatives to regular hair colors now. And some reliable organic brands. All you have to do is choose a good salon with experience in those products. The price will also be more expensive than a regular color. It still can be reasonable if the salon is honest. In our opinion the price should not be over 20 % than a regular color.
Organic is also about principles. Environmental of course, in order to preserve our planet in reducing our consumption of chemical products. Ethical also, as most of the organic brands, (such as OCS and Natulique) are cruelty free during their tests phases and production.
