For centuries people have been fascinated with color. Over history women have tried to enhance their own color or use color to change their appearance. People have typically been more drawn towards redheads and Blondes.
The Egyptians and people from India used the henna plant, which grows in Asia and North Africa. It is a reddish brown powder obtained from its leaves. Henna was used to achieve a dark red color. The Renaissance women use a mixture of black sulfur, alum and honey, then sat in the sun to achieve a more golden color.
Hair color falls into three basic categories: brunette, red and blonde. Since the time of the Egyptians through the 1930s color was only able to darken the hair not lighten it. The only way that the hair was lightened at that time was through the use of harsh bleach. In the 1950s chemists began to create colors that were able to lighten the hair. There was still a problem that in order to lighten the color, the chemical process was harsh on the hair. The problem remains through today to a certain degree in most color products. The harsh chemical being used is ammonia. Product companies use ammonia because ammonia causes the color to adhere to the hair as well as the ammonia mixed with a high volume of peroxide speeds up the color process. The high percentage of ammonia can cause excess damage to the hair fiber, has odor fumes and irritates the scalp. Some peoples’ scalps are very sensitive and the irritation will cause a dry scale to form on the scalp.
How can you have great long lasting color with the least amount of damage to the hair? Not all colors are the same. Different companies use different amounts of ammonia in their color. Try to find a color brand that uses a small percentage of ammonia in the product. There are several companies that produce color with low ammonia. The lower the ammonia level in the color, the better it is for the hair. Today companies know the problem of damaging hair fibers so they have put things into the color to compensate for the damage that will take place with the ammonia. They may put a conditioning agent into the color to help in counteracting the drying effects of the hair. Some companies use ingredients found in nature to give protection to the hair from the UVA and UVB rays, which causes the color to fade. Be conscientious of what chemicals are being used on your hair.
For further information, please call Adamo Lentini at 888-983-3266. You may also visit him at Adamo Lentini Hair Studio at Quixotic, 25269 N. The Old Road, Unit K, Stevenson Ranch or www.adamolentini.com