The evolution of hair dye: From rainbow to grey

The evolution of hair dye

For centuries, hair dye has been pivotal in helping people portray a certain image — either to fit in with the beauty standards of the day or to dramatically subvert them. Women in particular have long tried to conform with the notion that female beauty comes with a glossy mane — from blonde to black to dusted with gold or flour, depending on the time and place.
“Throughout history, the status of our hair has served as an instant visual cue for value judgment,” “One of the many ways for society to objectify female bodies, and deem them worthy, or not, of attention.”
In recent decades, “hair colour products have become a key tool for women to stay visible, and shield them from one of the biggest stigmas placed on them: aging.”More than 60 % of European women and up to 10 % of men dye their hair.

The EU is the safest market in the world for hair dyes. Still, the products contain chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction.

All hair dye products in the EU must comply with the regulation on cosmetics, which lists the colouring ingredients that are allowed to be used, but also those that are banned. More than 100 hair dyes have been regarded as safe and permitted for use. More than 180 ingredients have been banned.
Cosmetic manufacturers are required by law to make sure their products have undergone a scientific assessment of their safety before they are sold. They need to submit the assessment information to European authorities through a cosmetic products notification portal, showing that the substance used in the product does not pose a health risk. The Commission’s scientific committees assess the risk.

Hair dye cosmetic products

Hair dye cosmetic products are used for colouring hair. These products are mainly classified into two categories according to their duration in the hair, i.e., temporary and permanent. This classification is in line with the type of active ingredients involved in the dyeing process and with the dyeing process itself, commonly known as non-oxidative and oxidative hair dye products. Owing to the different side effects described for these active cosmetic ingredients, some of them have been prohibited during the past years, whereas others have been restricted in the different legislations in force. The aim of this article is to inform the reader of the different compounds used as hair dyes and the legislation regulating these compounds, and especially to review the existing analytical methods for hair dye determination in cosmetic products.

ColourSafe Permanent Hair Colouring is a hair dye range that has removed some ingredients which cause allergic reactions on the scalp from its formulation.

Our permanent dyes are free from Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), ammonia, resorcinol and parabens. These ingredients are substituted by others that are less damaging to hair. These dyes provide the hair with a long-lasting colour that gives maximum grey coverage. Furthermore, they provide an intense and radiant shine, high protection and maximum colour care.

Their formula is enriched with Sunflower, Jojoba and Plant Keratin.