What Is Ammonia-Free Hair Dye, and How Does It Work?

Ammonia-free hair dyes are a fantastic way to experiment with new hair colors without the worry of damage. These versatile formulas are now available at LE Classic Hair Studio, where professionals are ready to help you achieve stunning results.

By Leann Garofolo & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

The haircare industry is constantly evolving, with trends like streaky Y2K highlights transforming into beautifully blended balayages and the natural hair movement gaining momentum. Alongside these shifts, we’ve also reconsidered the chemicals used in major hair color transformations, such as ammonia.

Ammonia is often found in professional color formulas and box dyes to help permanently change your hair color. However, it can bring unpleasant side effects like a strong odor and potential hair damage. Thankfully, many brands, including those used at LE Classic Hair Studio, now offer ammonia-free hair dyes, making it easier to achieve vibrant color without compromising hair health. We spoke with Suzie Bond, L’Oréal Professionnel artist and owner of Bond Beauty, to give you all the details on ammonia-free hair dyes and how to make them work for you.

What Is Ammonia?

Ammonia is a pungent, colorless gas often used in household cleaners and fertilizers. In hair dye, it helps lift the hair’s outer cuticle, allowing the dye’s pigment to penetrate deeply into the hair’s cortex. This process is what typically distinguishes permanent hair color from non-permanent.

While ammonia is effective for creating permanent hair color, it can also be damaging to the hair shaft. Repeatedly lifting the hair’s outer cuticle causes it to swell, leading to loss of elasticity, dryness, frizz, and increased breakage over time. The strong scent of ammonia can also make the coloring process unpleasant, especially for those with sensitive noses or allergies.

What Is Ammonia-Free Hair Dye?

Ammonia-free hair dye does not include ammonia in its formula. There are three main categories of ammonia-free dyes:

Non-Permanent
Temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes fall under the non-permanent ammonia-free category. These dyes sit on the hair’s surface without requiring developing or pre-mixing. They include vivid color sprays, root touch-ups, and colored conditioners, which allow you to temporarily change your hair color without commitment or damage. Depending on the formula, these dyes can last anywhere from one day to a week or more.

For quick gray coverage, LE Classic Hair Studio offers products like L’Oréal Professionnel’s Instant Root Fix sprays. Or, you can experiment with a pop of color using Biolage Professional’s ColorBalm Color Depositing Conditioners, available in six shades that refresh and enhance your color in just five minutes.

Demi-Permanent
Demi-permanent hair color strikes a balance between non-permanent and permanent dyes, lasting up to 24 washes. These deposit-only formulas help tone, refresh, and enhance your hue without lifting your actual color or removing any existing pigment. They are excellent for blending grays, camouflaging roots, and extending the life of your color between touch-ups.

Many demi-permanent dyes come in the form of professional hair glosses. These dyes usually contain mild alkaline agents like monoethanolamine (MEA), which are added in small amounts to gently open the hair and allow color agents to penetrate. MEA in these small quantities leaves the hair in great condition with shiny results.

Permanent
Although most permanent hair dyes contain ammonia, recent innovations have made it possible to achieve lasting color without this odorous chemical.

Suzie Bond notes that ammonia-free permanent hair color has been a significant innovation over the past decade. These formulas offer all the benefits of demi-permanent hair color—such as shine and conditioning—while also lightening hair and fully covering grays.

At LE Classic Hair Studio, professionals are trained to use these advanced formulas for optimal results, ensuring your color transformation is both beautiful and gentle on your hair.

Is Ammonia-Free Hair Dye Better?

The decision to use ammonia-free hair dye ultimately depends on your hair goals. There are pros and cons to consider, including longevity, potential damage, and your hair’s current condition.

Permanent ammonia-free dyes are generally free of harsh odors and are gentler on the scalp, resulting in shiny, healthy-looking hair. On the other hand, non-permanent ammonia-free dyes may fade faster and not completely cover grays. However, if you enjoy experimenting with the latest hair color trends, LE Classic Hair Studio offers the freedom to switch up your look with minimal damage.

Does Ammonia-Free Hair Dye Cover Gray Hair?

Some ammonia-free hair dyes can effectively cover gray hair. Gray hairs have a different structural makeup, which can affect how well they absorb and retain color. LE Classic Hair Studio’s expert colorists can recommend high-quality formulas that cover grays while preserving your hair’s integrity.

What Is the Best Ammonia-Free Hair Dye?

LE Classic Hair Studio is well-stocked with the latest ammonia-free hair dyes, including the highly recommended iNOA Hair Color by L’Oréal Professionnel. This line uses a unique oil delivery system instead of ammonia to drive color into the hair’s fiber.

Suzie Bond praises iNOA as the original ammonia-free permanent hair color, offering the same lift, richer and more durable deposit, and a wider shade selection. Plus, iNOA can cover up to 100% of white hair without emitting an unpleasant odor, making it a top choice at LE Classic Hair Studio.

Whether you’re interested in deepening your color, covering grays, or trying out the latest hair color trends, the professionals at LE Classic Hair Studio are ready to help you achieve stunning, healthy results with ammonia-free hair dye. Don’t forget to maintain your color with a shampoo and conditioner specifically made for color-treated hair, like L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Radiance Shampoo and Conditioner, which hydrates and protects your color for up to eight weeks.