When I took up the job as a lecturer, my students considered me an experienced lecturer due to my grey hair. I started coloring my hair in my university days. Within a few years, most of my hair turned grey, and I also lost some hair. When my colleague pointed out that chemical dyes did the damage, I turned to natural hair dye. I'm happy with the result. Thankfully my hair is in much better condition now, and I don't have to worry about colouring my hair anymore.

—Asma Nazim, Lecturer

You must have heard about ammonia-free hair dyes, but have you heard about hydrogen peroxide (bleach)-free hair colors?

All the much-advertised hair colouring brands have been promoting themselves as ammonia-free since decades. But none of them ever talked about the irreversible permanent damages caused by hydrogen peroxide (bleach)! Organically natural hair color is the new hunk in town that could give you your much desired respite from chemical hair dyes. Let’s discuss this in greater detail.

Why is Hydrogen Peroxide (bleach) Used in Hair Colours?

Hydrogen peroxide (bleach) is used in hair colours to remove the original colour of hair to allow the new artificial hair colour to settle in permanently inside the hair shafts, i.e. inside the body of the hair strands. This change in colouration is permanent, meaning that your natural hair colour will return only with new hair growth.

But, there is more dramatic, fallout of this chemical!

Hydrogen peroxide (bleach) is not really as harmless as it has been made out to be.

Repeated usage of hydrogen peroxide can permanently shut down the enzyme Tyrosinase, which is primarily responsible for triggering melanin (normal hair and skin colour) production, resulting in permanent whitening, or greying, of hair.

Isn’t That Scary?

So, the more you use chemical hair colours to hide your greys, the more they turn your hair grey, making you more and more dependent on the very same colours you use to hide your greys.

Is there any hair colour that does not damage hair?

Any hair colour that is free from chemicals will not damage hair. Generic and conventional hair dyes usually contain many potentially harmful chemicals like Hydrogen Peroxide (Bleach) and Ammonia, which cause severe damages to hair. While Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) causes severe and potentially deadly allergies.

Ammonia, in chemical-laden hair dyes, turns hair dry, brittle and more prone to breakage. It, along with other chemicals, may also cause other side effects like hair loss, skin irritation and increased blood toxicity. Many of these chemicals are also known to cause many forms of cancers like bladder cancer and hematopoietic cancer. Using such hair colors during pregnancy may lead to complications and fetal defects too. So, turning to an organically natural hair color is the best practical route to dye hair safely without damaging your body.

How do chemicals in hair dyes cause harm?

Ammonia pulls apart the layers of the hair’s proteins to open up its pores, allowing the new artificial color pigment to enter the hair shafts so that the hair catches the new color well. This process also draws out the hair's natural moisturizing oil called sebum, making them dry, rough and brittle, causing hair thinning and breakage. Ammonia also has a foul smell that irritates the olfactory (nose).

Hydrogen Peroxide (Bleach), in the chemical hair colors, enters the hair shaft and neutralises the original hair colour, turning the hair strands colourless to help settle the artificial color. It, then, chemically reacts with the PPD to bring about the new hair colour. Bleach is also a skin and lung irritant.

Is there any hair dye without ammonia and peroxides in them?

In recent years, much has been done in this direction. A few reputed hair colour brands have started offering their own range of damage-free hair dyes, which are also hydrogen peroxide (bleach)-free hair colours. These hair colors offer a natural alternative to the harmful chemical-laden hair dyes. Unlike chemical hair colors, these organically natural hair colours work with the power of oxygen and herbs. Apart from imparting a natural colour to hair, they also untangle hair while making them thicker, more manageable and shinier.

Which herbal hair color is best?

The best herbal hair color is the one with organic herbs and hair-friendly natural ingredients. Indus Valley’s New Damage-Free Gel Colour is one such option which has been available for purchase online for quite some time. It works with the goodness of amla, aloe vera, jojoba, henna, basil, orange, sunflower and wheat germ making it a superior hair colour and one of the best among herbal hair colours.

Amla: Stimulates collagen and melanin production, arrests premature greying, adds volume and shine to hair.

Aloe Vera: Hydrates and nourishes hair, adds lustre.

Jojoba: Nourishes the scalp, prevents split ends and repairs hair damage.

Henna: Revitalizes and conditions hair and scalp.

Basil: Nourishes the scalp making hair stronger and shinier.

Orange: Makes hair stronger, bouncier and shinier.

Sunflower: Battles dandruff, controls frizz, stops breakage and promotes hair growth.

Wheat Germ: Nourishes hair, turning it soft and smooth; protects from harmful UV rays of the sun.

Indus Valley uses only organically grown herbs to ensure best quality and superior results. Their packaging is also eco-friendly and done in a way ensuring purity is not lost.

The final takeaway

Not just ammonia-free, you must also look for a hydrogen peroxide (bleach)-free hair colour, in other words an organically natural hair colour.

Indus Valley New Damage-Free Gel Colour is available in 6 shades. This organically natural hair color is safe and falls gently on hair. It’s a Hydrogen Peroxide (Bleach)-free hair color that is eco-friendly, cruelty-free and vegan.

User reviews indicate that this hair colour gives quick and vibrant results, which will help you to cover your greys perfectly. It will also not cause any side effects or harm to your body. People with sensitive skin are, however, recommended to go for the 48-hour patch test before use.

Do you have more queries that you would like to resolve in consultation with our health and beauty experts? Feel free to write in the comment section below and we will get in touch with you.  Till then, stay handsome, stay beautiful, naturally!