“Ammonia-free” is becoming a bit of a catchphrase. Thought to be just another sales strategy for some, these two words will make a huge difference to your health and your hair. At Jean Louis David the professionals use Inoa colour products from L’Oréal. Find out more about this little hair colour revolution!


What is ammonia used for? Ammonia has long been an essential ingredient for colouring products. It opens up your hair’s cuticles, preparing it for the colour. Ammonia is also used to remove colour from the hair so that it can then be re-coloured.


Ammonia-free colouring. This does not mean that your hair dye is organic or natural. The product is still full of chemicals, but doesn’t contain ammonia. At L’Oréal, for example, the technology developed is called ODS, which is an oil-based dye. This means it is a lot less harmful to your hair and your health.


Advantages of ammonia-free dye. It’s not the ammonia itself that’s dangerous; it’s the fumes it gives off. Ammonia-free products eliminate this problem. Another benefit is their effect on your hair. These dyes are less harmful to your hair, which means it will be softer and shinier, even after colouring. Especially with L’Oréal Inoa products. The oil it contains nourishes the hair, making these products a lot nicer to use.


Is the final result the same? Some of you still aren’t convinced that an ammonia-free dye will provide the same coverage as a traditional dye. You’re wrong! Most ammonia-free colours now cover up to 100% of white hair. There is also a huge choice of shades and the colour holds just as well as a traditional dye.


Looking after your coloured hair. It’s up to you to look after your hair with products specially designed for coloured hair. This will stop your colour from fading over time. To get rid of roots, you’ll need to redo the colour to cover them. But you don’t necessarily have to re-colour the whole of your hair or leave the dye on for the full length of time. This will avoid you overloading your hair with colour. And once again, ammonia-free dyes can be used to touch up your hair without leaving it brittle or fragile.