Are Ammonia-Free Hair Color Brands Better?
Written by Irina Webb
Many hair color brands announce themselves as ammonia-free hair colors. This phrasing makes it sound like you should want your hair dye to be a no ammonia hair color. After researching hair colors for the past few years, I want to share with you what I have discovered about best ammonia-free hair dye brands. These findings will help you make informed decisions and buy hair color products that you want – not what hair color companies want you to buy.
What do we know about ammonia health effects?
Here is a good summary on ammonia for your reference. The Environmental Working Group database has rated ammonia a 4-6 (on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 bring the most toxic), depending on the way it is used.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ammonia may cause some pretty serious symptoms. They may be eye, nose, and throat irritation. In addition, ammonia may lead to breathing difficulty, wheezing, or chest pain. On top of that, such conditions as pulmonary edema, pink frothy sputum, burns, blisters and frostbite may develop. Makes you wonder if hair dyes with ammonia can cause that, right? And, if turning to an ammonia-free hair color is actually a good idea. Stay with me on this one, though.
Despite these possible unpleasant symptoms, Canada Environment has classified ammonia as a low health priority. Besides, I’ve found no evidence that ammonia either increases the risk of cancer or disrupts hormones.
Why do hair dyes need ammonia?
For a hair dye to penetrate hair, something corrosive must open the hair cuticle first. Ammonia is one of the best substances to achieve this goal. As you can imagine, this process is damaging to your hair. All permanent hair colors use this technique to make the color stay longer and cover even the most resistant grey hair. In other words, some corrosive substance makes a hair dye permanent.
What does the claim ammonia-free hair color mean?
Permanent hair dyes
To begin, you need to find out if that hair color is classified as a permanent hair dye. If it is NOT a permanent hair dye, there is no need for ammonia in the first place. So, in a way, it is like saying “plastic-free” about a glass product. It is obvious that all glass is plastic-free, but sometimes manufacturers add something meaningless to make it sound good. They know we’re all very busy and might not stop to think how silly the claim is. (If that’s all they can say about their product, though, I would be very careful!)
Not permanent hair colors
The hair color that are not permanent are called semi-permanent colors. They do not need ammonia because they do not need to open the cuticles of the hair. Instead, they coat the hair, which is a less damaging process. I recommend switching to semi-permanent ammonia-free hair color brands if you can.
The downside of semi- or demi-permanent hair colors is that they may not work for resistant grey hair. However, I think it is a good idea to try semi-permanent hair colors before you resort to hair dyes with ammonia for the following reasons. First, it is not necessary to use ammonia. Second, semi-permanent hair colors typically use less harmful dyes.
What are the best ammonia-free hair dye brands?
My Permanent Hair Color Rating List e-book presents the results of a comprehensive study of multiple permanent hair dye brands. Every year I add to the list of the brands. Besides, you can contact me for a feedback on a hair dye brand of your choice. Among the listed brands, you will find ammonia-free hair color brands as well as the brands with hair dyes with ammonia.
You will learn how many sensitizers each hair color product has. Also, you will learn about the presence of resorcinol that may have a potential to interfere with the normal function of thyroid. You will learn all these and more so you can make an informed decision about the best ammonia-free hair dye brand for you. Of course, such factors as the condition of your health and hair as well as your budget and preference to tackle hair coloring at home or go to a salon will be taken into consideration.
What about permanent no ammonia hair color brands?
For starters, let me reiterate that all permanent hair dyes must open hair cuticles. So, if there is no ammonia, there must be something else to perform this function. My experience of studying each ingredient in many different permanent hair colors shows that the ingredient that does this job in place of ammonia is called ethanolamine (aka monoethanolamine, or MEA). Let’s find out what its role in ammonia-free hair color products is like.
What is ethanolamine?
Ethanolamine, like ammonia, is a corrosive chemical. It must be corrosive in order to fulfill the same function – open hair cuticles. Ironically, reacting carcinogenic ethylene oxide with aqueous ammonia produces ethanolamine (source). It is not surprising that ethanolamine has an ammonia-like odor, too, although it is not as strong as ammonia.
Is ethanolamine safer than ammonia?
The Environmental Working Group rates it 5-6, which is slightly worse than ammonia’s rating of 4-6. Also, Canada Environment has classified ethanolamine as a moderate health priority versus a low health priority for ammonia. But the ammonia-free hair color brands won’t tell you that, will they?
As for cancer risks, ethanolamine has not been evaluated for such risks yet because it is a newer chemical. In comparison, ammonia has no evidence of either increasing the risk of cancer or disrupting hormones.
On the other hand, there is evidence that ethanolamine may increase the risk of birth defects, which is a big deal. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning, I highly recommend you avoid using permanent no ammonia hair colors because such hair dyes will contain ethanolamine instead.
Furthermore, this study found that hair colors that contain ethanolamine versus ammonia are more likely to cause hair loss.
Thus, apart from a more pungent smell, a hair color with ammonia may be a better choice than an ammonia-free hair color. In my Permanent Hair Color Rating List e-book, you can find out which brands use ammonia and which ones are ammonia-free.
Do hair dyes with ammonia or ethanolamine damage your hair more?
You would think that since ammonia has a stronger smell, it is more corrosive and, consequently, more harmful to hair. However, this is not the case. Because of their corrosiveness, both substances damage hair, but ethanolamine may damage hair more.
In this study, researchers applied different methods to measure hair cuticle damage and protein loss. The researchers found that there is more hair damage from ethanolamine than from ammonia. In some extreme cases, ethanolamine was found to increase hair damage as much as 85% more than ammonia. Can you believe that? I was shocked, too.
You might want to ask a hairstylist who has had experience using both hair dyes with ammonia and ammonia-free hair color brands which hair dye damages hair more. Make sure, though, that the hairstylist is not bound by contractual terms with an ammonia-free hair dye brand so they will have an independent opinion. When I asked my hairstylist, she confirmed the researchers’ findings that ethanolamine was more damaging.
Conclusion about ammonia-free hair dyes
In sum, I advise you to be skeptical of permanent ammonia-free hair color brands. Everything else being equal, I recommend choosing permanent hair dyes with ammonia. Additionally, find out why there are no organic hair color brands and read a fascinating story about Natulique hair color.
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Thank you! All the truth in your post.
Best, most informative article I’ve found in my exhaustive search for answers! Wanting to switch to demi from permanent and wondered why certain brands would say permanent or semi yet had no ammonia and other articles did not explain correctly (actually, further misinformating ppl) nor did the companies! Thank you! I now can stop screwing up my hair! Yay!
Very helpful! Thank you!
You are very welcome, Angela. I am glad that you found it helpful. ~Irina
Thank u this was VERY informative as I had recently started using an “ammonia free” permanent hair color hair that contained ethanolamine thinking it would be a good thing and my hair is BADLY DAMAGED and FALLING OUT!!
Hi, Michele: I am so sorry to hear that. That must be so hard. Be sure to see a dermatologist and I hope your hair will grow back soon. ~Irina
Thank you Irina for the AWESOME service u are providing for consumers! The weird thing regarding the ammonia free permanent product I had been using is that the colour I got with it was BEAUTIFUL ❤️ but sadly caused serious damage. Lol I saw a women in the store last week trying to decide between which brand hair colour to buy and she had a box of the product that so seriously damaged my hair on her hand; I practically snatched it out of her hand to keep her from buying it😂
Hi Michele I have had a similar experience recently?
Are you happy to share the brand that you had the experience with.
Thanks
What do you think of oligo ammonia free hair color? It has great reviews.
This was extremely helpful and educational. Thank you for your hard work researching and writing! Demi-permanent it is.
Any chance you will be putting together a report on semi/demi permanent hair color ratings? I have come to the realization these will be the best bet for me, however it has been difficult finding thorough and accurate information. This would be super helpful!
Hi, Laura: Yes, there is a chance… Let me ask you this. Have you used a semi/demi-permanent hair color before? Do you know if it works? How much grey hair do you have? Are there any specific brands you are interested in learning about? Would you pre-pay for the list? Thank you for bringing this up. ~Irina
Hi
Csn you reccommend the safest hair dye to cover white gray? My hair was originslly dark brown. I havve been using revlon colorsilk no ammmonia. My hair fslls out a lot from the roots.
Thanks,
Marie
Hi, Marie, please read the Permanent Hair Color Rating List ebook: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/permanent-hair-color-rating-list/ ~Irina
I would prepay for the list.
This was the most informative article exactly exactly what I was looking forward to confirm my suspicions. I was using Iona ammonia free color but I can’t seem to find the ingredient that you were talking about that causes damage in it, does it go buy an additional name?
Thank you so much for this article!
I’m using beautiful collection semi permanent hair rinse ,can I change from beautiful collection to another brand I’m having some itchiness don’t know if beautiful collection causing it ,I want change and see.
Thank you so much for this information!
I am a salon owner and for the last 4-5 years I have tried several different brands of ammonia free hair colours in my salon and have found they cant deliver the desired colour results and make the hair feel so dry and brittle, have even noticed more skin reactions! i am now going to switch back to a colour brand that uses low ammonia rather than the ammonia alternatives.
Thank you so much for letting us know, Sarah! ~Irina
I can’t thank you enough for this research! This is the first helpful article I’ve read. I was convinced I was going with ammonia free to avoid damage but now I’m focusing more on the quality of the brand.
What is your thought on L’Oréal Inoa? It seems to use oils in place of ammonia. No?
Hi, Mary! We appreciate your interest! Irina will be happy to help you with your question in a private consultation: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/
Thank you so much for this. I do have a question, though.
I’ve been using semi-permanent dye and, of course, it’s ammonia-free. It clearly states that it only covers around 50% of grey hair and that’s truly the result I get. The thing is, the same brand has another semi-permanent dye that they claim to cover more grey hair than the one I’m using: it covers up to 70%. But this one has ammonia. How can this be? Are they using a smaller percentage of ammonia, enough to cover more grey hair, but without being permanent? I’d like to get more coverage, but I don’t know what to think about this “semi-permanent with ammonia” version. What do you think?
Hi, Gabby: I would need to look at the ingredients of the products you are talking about, also know more about your hair, health condition, and appetite for a clean lifestyle. I can address your questions in a consultation. ~Irina
Hi, have you heard of Icon eco tech , they claim to use a new technology in which they do not use any ammonia in their lightners, or colour range. Was just wondering as to whether you thought this was possible? We have been trying their colour range and some colours come out patchy and resistant hair doesnt completely cover but we was told it was our fault that we didnt mix up properly ( we did ) and our sections wasnt thin enough.
Hi, Shannon, I think you answered your own question. ~Irina
Hi there,
I’m wanting to dye my hair with a semi-permanent hairdye but I’m skeptical to do so as I can’t risk exposing my hair to damage since I’m four months post-accutane and my cuticles are still recovering from the dry breakage. I wondered whether semi-permanent hairdyes are an entirely safe option or whether it would be best to avoid until I feel fully recovered.
Thankyou! – Ella.
I would love to see a list of Demi and semi permanent colours. I notice that demi colours still use ethanolamine, for example Clairol Natural Instincts and L’Oréal Casting Creme Gloss. Also, what are your thoughts on ME+, it claims to reduce the chance of allergies and seems to be a replacement for PPD and TDS?
I have just bought amonia free semi permanent color, which does not need hair to be bleached, I suspected that it has an amonia substitute. And yes, it has ethanolamine . It is in the garbage now.
Thank you so much for this information! I’ve been a devoted Revlon user for years thinking that I was being careful. My hair is in horrible condition, thinning and full of split ends and I just thought it was me getting older (I’m 57). I am so mad right now that I did this to myself. I’ll probably go the semi or demi permanent route until my poor hair and scalp can recover some.
Sorry to hear about your hair challenges, Jennifer. I know it is not easy. ~Irina
Hi irina,
I would like to know the best permaneny hair colors to use that don’t contain Ethanolamine.
Also, does Tigi Copyright contain Ethanolamine, or ammonia?
thanks,
Joel
Hi Joel! Thank you for your interest! You can buy a Permanent Hair Color Rating List e-book: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/permanent-hair-color-rating-list/ Alternatively, Irina will be happy to answer your questions in a private consultation: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/
This is a good summary.
Ammonia is actually very prevalent and in a sense the choice of many evolved systems. I like to think this is because it is simply the best choice for the job.
Starting from making cheese great — like Camembert (yes, it smells…) to supporting the workings of our body and in plants. It is even out there in our solar system making up the atmosphere of planets.
Your papers show, ammonia is the better choice for permanent hair color and modern ammonia products barely smell anymore.
Thank you for your feedback, John! We appreciate it a lot!
Thank you for this!!!! Thank you!!!