HOW ACTNATURALS NATURAL HAIR DYES CONDITION HAIR

Anyone who bleaches or dyes their hair on a regular basis can attest to the destructive effect of harsh chemicals found in synthetic, oxidative dyes. To understand how Actnaturals line of natural hair colors improves and conditions your hair, first a quick review of the structure of hair and the effect of pH on it.
Hair is primarily made of keratin, a protein consisting of helix coils of amino acids. Picture a large cable, like those found on suspension bridges. The cable is made up of steel wires wrapped around each other to form a bundle. Then multiple bundles are coiled around each other to form larger bundles, and so on until the final cable is assembled. Hair strands are similarly constructed; however they also have various chemicals bounds between the helix coils. It is those bounds that give hair its elasticity, strength, shape and other unique characteristics. In addition, keratin’s charged surface has great affinity for certain molecules such as water.
Now, let’s talk about pH. PH is a scale from 0 to 14 used to measure acidity and alkalinity. 0 to 7 is acidic, 7 to 14 is alkaline, and 7 is neutral. Many of the chemical reaction in nature revolve around pH. For example, we can use a mild acid like vinegar to remove stains and hard water scales. Likewise, we use ammonia, which is alkaline, to do the same. A solution with a low pH (acidic) contains more protons (+) than negative charges. A solution with a high pH contains more negative charges (hydroxide OH-) than positive charges. PH affects chemical bonds; and it is critical in the structure of hair.
The perfect pH of hair is 5. The cuticle, the scaly protective layer surrounding the cortex, will start opening at a pH of 6.9 and continue to increase as the pH increases.
As the pH increases, the chemical bonds which hold the strands of keratin longitudinally and perpendicularly start breaking down; and all the physical properties of hair (elasticity, strength, shape retention) disappear, until a point where the hair is permanently damaged.
The most common hair dyes on the market are oxidative dyes. They contain chemicals such as phenylenediamine and resorcinol. They offer a broad range of colors which result when two families of chemicals are brought together with an oxidant, (similar to a two part epoxy). The permanence is obtained by opening the cuticle so that the dye penetrates into the cortex and binds to the keratin. This is usually done with ammonia which raises the pH. However, by raising the pH, you also destroy chemicals bounds which give structure to hair. Bleach your hair or dye your hair too often and you will destroy it.
Actnaturals line of natural hair dyes is derived from super pure molecules of plant extracts. This newly patented technology offers terrific features not found in vegetable dyes such as henna. First, Actnaturals offers a very broad range of shades. Secondly, our permanent dyes can be easily lifted with lemon juice, (which you cannot do with henna or most oxidative dyes). More importantly, our chemistry is very different form the other types of hair dyes. Our hair colors works at low pH. They do not open the cuticle nor damage the keratin bonds. In fact they do the opposite, and work like conditioners to strengthen the bonds. As a result, the hair has a more compact structure, more strength, shape and deep color.
Actnaturals line of natural permanent hair colors is the only one on the market to provide extensive shades without any harsh chemicals, (no PPD, ammonia or resorcinol). So make the switch and improve the health of your hair.
 

NATURAL HAIR COLOR DYE FOR VEGANS

Are you looking for a natural hair color dye free of synthetic chemicals such as PPD and resorcinol, free of ammonia (which damages the hair) and a natural hair dye which has never been tested on animals? Have you tried henna products and have found them wanting: Too few shades of color, tedious and time consuming to apply and impossible to remove.
 ActNaturals has the solution.  Our VitaColor line of all natural hair dyes is made from plant extracts and is entirely free of synthetic and potentially harmful chemicals. Our unique patented technology binds the dyes electrostatically to the hair without the need to open the cuticle. As a result, our products have no ammonia; we simply have no use for it. Unlike henna products, our choices of color shades are extensive and the best part is that the permanent dyes can be easily lifted with lemon juice.
Our permanent natural hair colors are easily applied in a two step process similar to most other dyes and will last more than 40 washes. We also offer semi-permanent hair colors, and natural shampoo and conditioners free of sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates, parabens and phthalates.
For people seeking a healthy lifestyle, ActNaturals line of all natural hair color dyes is simply the best.

THE USE OF RESORCINOL IN HAIR PRODUCTS

Resorcinol (dihydroxy phenol) consists of a benzene molecule paired with 2 hydroxy (OH) molecules. Resorcinol is widely used in medical and industrial applications. 
Many antiseptics and disinfectants contain a 5% to 10% concentration of resorcinol. It is also used to treat acne (2% solution); and in a spray, to treat hay fever and whooping cough. Resorcinol is also found in anti-dandruff shampoos, sunscreen and cosmetics. However, in large doses it can cause deafness, sweating, salivation and convulsion.
In industrial applications, it is used with formaldehyde to form a thermoset resin. It is also a starting material for the manufacture of explosives.
Resorcinol is one of the main couplers used in conjunction with bases (aromatic diamines such as PPD) in synthetic hair color dyes. There is a growing, controversial concern that resorcinol along with aromatic diamines are carcinogenic and mutagenic. For example Skin Deep the cosmetic safety data base (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=705539) rates resorcinol between an 8 and a 10 in toxicity depending on the product usage. It is linked to certain cancers, immunotoxicity and allergic reactions.
If you want to lead a healthy lifestyle, why take the chance when an alternative exist?
ActNatruals VitaColors line of all natural hair dye is free of aromatic diamines and couplers such as resorcinol. This newly patented chemistry derives its bright lush colors from extremely refined plant extracts. Better yet, it binds to the hair without the need for ammonia to open the cuticle. Far better than henna, ActNaturals offer a wide range of natural permanent hair colors that are easily applied and can also be easily lifted , (which is not possible with henna hair dyes).
Live a healthy life and switch to Actnaturals VitaColors.

PATENT AWARDED FOR BREAKTHROUGH IN NATURAL HAIR COLOR DYE

Advanced Cosmetic Technologies just received a patent for novel plant dye extraction and a process for bonding the plant color to the hair.  Salon trials using the patented technology over the last three years have demonstrated thousands of successful permanent hair color applications.  The demand for a safer, long lasting, permanent hair color is well documented and ACT plans to capitalize on that opportunity.
According to Jeff Greaves, president of Advanced Cosmetic Technologies and inventor of the process, this new technology delivers a much wider range of deep and lustrous colors than henna dyes, with the novel advantage of easy lifting. “Years of hard work have finally resulted in easy to apply natural permanent color dyes, made from plant extracts without any harsh chemicals.”  The technology breakthrough is that small dye molecules extracted from plants are bonded to the hair without having to force open the hair follicle. For the first time, permanent natural colors are fixated, non-oxidatively, to the hair keratin at the iso-electric point of the hair, in fact, conditioning while coloring. Traditional permanent hair colors must use ammonia (or other harsh pH raising compounds) to raise the pH of the hair which is damaging, even causing breakage.  At the higher pH the hair follicle pores are forced open allowing large synthetic compounds such as ppd, resorcinol and other synthetic chemicals to enter the hair shaft, eventually dyeing the hair by oxidation. One has to only enter a salon to realize the odorous chemical component of traditional hair dyes or search the internet  to learn about  carcinogenicity in ppd/synthetic color based dyes.
Expecting mothers, cancer survivors and allergy sensitive individuals prohibited from using ppd , resorcinol or synthetic hair color dyes are relieved to have a safe alternative.   In addition, consumers focused on healthy lifestyles wanting a color that lasts can use VitaColors™ without sacrificing their conscience. Heather Snell, customer service manager says, “The high percentage of repeat orders reflects the enthusiastic response received from users on a daily basis.” Heather who uses Vitacolor herself says, “My hair feels and looks healthier and from customer satisfaction surveys, I know it’s healthier.”
Advanced Cosmetic Technologies also offers shampoo and conditioner tinting kits as well as color fixative tinting kits.

Healthy, natural, hair color has never been better.

FINALLY A NATURAL HAIR COLOR DYE FOR ALLERGIC OR PREGNANT WOMEN 

Have you had difficulty finding a hypoallergenic permanent natural hair color dye, or a natural hair color without harsh chemicals such as PPD, ammonia or resorcinol? ActNaturals.com selection of 13 natural hair dyes is providing the solution for the first time. Our products do not contain potential carcinogens such as PPD or other amine derivatives, ammonia or resorcinol. Instead, our highly purified plant based dyes - RBE-Colors™ - consists of small molecules, which penetrates the hair cuticle naturally and gently without having to force the hair shaft open. We use special extraction techniques to physically separate the colors from the plant matter then mix them with natural mineral salts to make our unique permanent hair color. We offer a full scale of colors with brighter and more natural tones than henna dyes.  As a henna alternative the ActNaturals permanent dye selections are more varied and the color can be “lifted” using natural lemon juice or vinegar.
After years of botanical research and refinement of extraction techniques, we have developed a patent pending coloring process that uses natural colors from plants high in naturally occurring dyes. In addition, our natural dyes are GMO free, meet our strict performance requirements and are able to penetrate the cuticle at the natural pH of the hair.  In fact, the process conditions your hair while coloring. All ingredients used in our formulations are listed by the Personal Care Products Council (formerly known as the CTFA - Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and are formulated and manufactured using Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMPs).
If you are pregnant, have allergies or are allergic to synthetic hair dyes, you, like other professionals in the hair care industry will be pleasantly surprised. The full spectrum of hair colors is now available as nature intended. ActNaturals hair dyes are Permanent, long lasting, easy to apply and truly natural. Finally.

BE GOOD TO YOURSELF, BE GOOD TO THE PLANET

Allowing your hair to feel as good as your conscience, Advanced Cosmetic Technologies LLC (ACT) does what many other hair colorants only claim to do— provide an all-natural alternative that gives vibrant color without damaging chemicals.  Introducing the industry’s first and only 100% plant based permanent hair dye, ACT uses breakthrough, patent-pending technology and super-pure botanical extracts to make natural products that are as effective as over-the-counter brands.

Imagine leaving the salon, with not only a new look, but with a lasting effect for long term healthy hair. ACT’s vegan-friendly, two-part liquid color system uses renewable and sustainable plant dyes that gently bond to hair without altering hair’s natural pH balance, simultaneously conditioning while coloring. Typical conventional hair dyes contain para-phenylene diamine (a potent allergen and highly suspected carcinogen), ammonia, or a combination of harsh substances that damage healthy hair in the coloring process.  Other natural hair dyes such as henna, give limited, dull color options and have a difficult, lengthy application/removal process. A savior for expectant or nursing mothers, as well as cancer survivors and lyme disease sufferers, ACT offers a safe option with 13 rich shades of vivid color, each with low environmental impact.   

Planet-friendly from packaging to ingredients, ACT’s carton and insert materials are made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and 80% post-consumer waste. The packaging is printed with soy-based inks using energy generated by wind power. In addition, the products are also cruelty-free, with absolutely no testing on animals.