The Chemistry Behind Hair Dyes And Hair Treatments
                     The Chemistry Behind Hair Dyes And Hair 
Treatments
Anil Kumar
Writes on functional and active ingredients for 
personal care, home care, hair colour 
intermediates, sun filter ingredients, FD&C 
pigments and dyes.
    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.
About Vinner Labs
    Vinner Labs specialises in the supply of 
functional and active ingredients for 
personal care, home care, hair dye 
intermediates, sun filter ingredients, FD&C 
pigments and dyes․ We have global reach 
and focused approach towards providing 
our customers with best products via our 
networked manufacturing and R&D 
facilities․ Vinner Labs aims to provide a 
wide range of functional active ingredients 
from a variety of technological platforms․ 
We are one of the unique players in this 
niche segment of specialty chemicals from 
India․ We consider ourselves as value-
unlockers in a variety of personal care 
categories including beauty care, skin care, 
and hair care․