At Last; healthy professional grade hairstyling products
By Lucy Dean

Natural, healthy hairstyling
Newly introduced organic, natural hair products are now being used at select salons in Hong Kong. Compared to traditional chemical based treatments, these products are producing exceptional results. 

Traditional approach
For decades, salons have used Ammonia and high-concentration Hydrogen Peroxide as key ingredients in hair coloring and perming. Over time, these aggressive bleaches leave the hair looking dry, faded and brittle, sure signs of damage and distress. In addition, harmful chemicals present in artificial colorings are linked to serious illnesses such as cancer and they enter your body through the scalp and the hair cuticle during a salon treatment. Furthermore, our environment is being impacted by large quantities of non-reusable Aluminum foil during these treatments.   

Healthier alternative
A complete range of professional grade, natural and organic based hair coloring, highlighting, perming and straightening products are finally available. These startlingly effective products harness the power of natural ingredients such as sunflower extract, soya bean, coconut, and organic oils. Besides being healthier, these certified organic based products offer significant improvements over their chemical laced predecessors.
Instead of attacking the hair, organic-based products gently open up the cuticle to allow the active, natural ingredients to produce the desired effect. No more skin irritations and potential allergic reactions. No more burning sensations and pungent smells. Also, if you happen to be getting highlights there’s no more sitting around, feeling uncomfortable for prolonged periods of time.

More freedom
A major benefit of natural based products is the extended range of treatments that can be applied in one visit. As chemical based ingredients aggress the cuticle, traditional hair stylists can only apply limited number and variety of treatments at one time. Since natural products are completely free of Ammonia derivatives, they do not damage the hair’s sensitive structure.  It is now, finally possible to effectively perm and color, or straighten and color, at the same time. This has opened up a whole new creative phase.

More effective
The effectiveness of natural coloring is such that it ensures full coverage of white hair. Furthermore, the natural based treatments open and close the cuticle efficiently to retain all vitamins, protein, moisture, minerals and natural coloring inside the hair. Entrapping the color in this healthy environment ensures a much longer lasting effect. Typically, time between treatments is extended by multiple weeks when specifically formulated organic shampoos and conditioners are used as part of the maintenance routine.

More beautiful
Organic products are formulated to give the right balance of protein and moisture in the hair and to stabilize the hair’s pH level. The resulting hair is shiny and healthy with true colors, while keeping its natural volume, body and shape; no frizz when perming, no limpness when straightening.

Great highlights and lowlights
The value of natural hair color products can be truly seen in highlights and lowlights treatments. With the traditional chemical process, the hair needs to be wrapped in wasteful Aluminum foil to ensure the bleach in the coloring solution penetrates into the hair. This process allows the Peroxide in the solution to react with the Aluminum resulting in further hair damage. With natural products, Aluminum foil is no longer needed. Not only is this process more eco-friendly, stylists can now see each highlight / lowlight as they work. Combined with the greater range of natural colors, the natural based salon has the ability to create truly sensational highlights and lowlights that last far longer than previously.       

Selected availability in Hong Kong
Natural, organic professional grade products require specific processes to optimize their amazing effects. As a consequence, hair salons are starting to introduce them only progressively. You should seek out a hair salon that not only carries these kinds of products but has the knowledge and experience in using them. As Emmanuel, a lead  stylist, explains “It took our salon twenty plus years experience and natural hairstyling abilities to develop the unique techniques and tools we employ to optimize the effects of our professional grade, natural products.”

Great Results
Comments from one salon experienced in using these products were “When we applied our know-how to natural, organic products, we never expected the results to completely blow away traditional, chemical-based treatments. Yet, our clients’ responses have been truly amazing and they continuously tell us how much better their hair looks and feels. Furthermore, we’ve been able to dispense with the wasteful aluminum foil.”

This article was submitted by Lucy Dean on behalf of Emmanuel F. Signature Hairstyling. This Aluminum foil free salon has been operating in Central for 5 years and carries a full range of professional grade, natural and organic based hair coloring, highlighting, perming and straightening products. You may contact them for an appointment at 2167 8280.

Three things to know about healthy hair

• Proper hair care and maintenance is a function of pH – which is the measure of acidity and alkalinity. The pH scale goes from 0 – the most acidic – to 14 – the most alkaline. 7 is the neutral point and it represents pure water.   The ideal level for hair, skin and nails is actually somewhat acidic between 4.5 and 5.5 on the pH scale with the level of 5 being called the isometric point – the ideal.
• A human hair in good condition can actually support the weight of a boiled egg. What keeps the hair healthy and strong is the balance between protein and moisture. A healthy hair is made-up of 83% to 87% of protein and 3% of moisture. The balance is composed of sugars, salts and other trace elements.
• Protein and moisture reside inside your hair within a system of springs that are suspended in a glue-like material called fatty acid. This structure is protected from the outside by seven to eleven transparent layers of interlocking scales called the cuticle. Damaging the cuticle during treatment will result in loss of protein and moisture which leads to dull and brittle hair.