Anti What? Why What We Leave Out Is So Important
At Bob, we care about health. Yours, ours, the planets. Our belief in a simple approach to wellbeing is encompassed in everything we do - from the products we use to the teas we serve, we’re always considering the impact of our choices.
Anti-Crap is at our core - but what does it mean? We believe what you leave out is just as important as what you leave in, so we’re going to break down the big nasties in hair colour ingredients and what they’re doing to your body - and why you’ll never find them at Bob.
The skin is the body’s largest organ, absorbing up to 70% of what is applied to it. Traditional hair colour & products contain irritating chemicals that can cause long term health effects, for you - and for us!
Ammonia: Ammonia is a highly toxic chemical in the form of a gas - absorbed through your eyes, nose and mouth. It’s what gives salons that ‘hairdresser smell’. It’s found in most hair colour because it’s cheap to manufacture, and gets results - smashing open the cuticle of the hair in the process. Ammonia is also commonly used in household cleaning products. Prolonged inhalation of ammonia can cause coughing or respiratory issues.
PPD: Paraphenylenediamine (Referred to as PPD) is an ammonia-derived ingredient used to adhere colour pigment to the hair. It’s a known allergen - if you’ve had a reaction at the salon before, it was probably to PPD. It can cause symptoms ranging from stinging or burning in your eyes or on your scalp, to as severe as swelling or anaphylaxis. The darker the colour is, the higher the concentration of PPD will be.
Resorcinol: Resorcinol is used with a developer to bond colour permanently to the hair. It is also found in skin peels and acne treatments. Resorcinol is a toxic ingredient, irritating the skin - and is another common allergen to clients. Resorcinol is of particular concern because its a potential endocrine disruptor, meaning it can create hormone imbalances and affect fertility.
Sulfates: Sulfates are aggressive detergents and foaming agents. They create the lather in shampoos. They also strip natural oils from the hair and scalp, and can cause irritation if you’re sensitive. According to the Journal of the American College of Toxicology, sulfates are considered safe in concentrations of below 1 percent, or when used for short periods of time. Although varying brand to brand, shampoos typically have a concentration of 15%.
Parabens: Parabens are the preservatives most commonly found in hair products. They’re non water soluble and can penetrate the skin. Parabens are a scary one because of their ability to mimic estrogen - disrupting hormones. Parabens have also been found in breast tumours.
Beyond these ingredients, there are many toxic obstacles for us to navigate in the world - and it’s pretty tricky. We’re not perfect, but Bob and the brands we partner with are striving to create hair that's beautiful, sustainable and safe - for everyone. We’re always on the lookout for new and better ways to improve - but we think leaving these out is a pretty good start.
