Frequently
Asked
Questions
Please click on the images to the left to download the PDF.
Please find below a list of frequently asked questions about the naturally organic Daniel Field product range.
You may also like to read our Tips & Advice section which advises further on a variety of topics.
· Are there any chemicals in Daniel’s Watercolour? »
· Can I dye my hair when pregnant or breastfeeding? »
· Does hair dye cause cancer? »
· Is there a shade chart to help me choose my colour? »
· Are Daniel’s products organic? »
· I am undergoing a course of chemotherapy treatment – is it safe to use Daniel’s Watercolour? »
· I think I am allergic to hair dyes »
· I want to go lighter – can I do this with Daniel’s Watercolour? »
Are there any chemicals in Daniel’s Watercolour?
This is a question we are often asked and understandably so because there has been much discussion concerning the term “chemicals”. Many materials – both natural and man-made have a definite chemical composition; a common example of a chemical substance is pure water (H20) and so no manufacturer can claim that any product is devoid of chemicals.
Daniel Field Natural Colours – Watercolour contains no ammonia, peroxide or alcohol and so it will not cause damage to the hair. However, the darker colours are likely to contain small concentrations of Phenylenediamines (PPD’s), whereas the lighter shades may contain trace elements, due to the blending process involved. Small concentrations of permitted PPD are needed in all “permanent” colorants of any make or brand to enable the colour to take to grey hair, this being a requirement of the majority of users of hair colorants.
There are great numbers of websites and other sources of information on the chemicals used in hair dyes and many contain conflicting information. Often, it is a case of reading all the material and making an informed choice as to whether to use a particular product or not.
Daniel’s continues with his ongoing programmes of monitoring ingredients and as and when alternatives which will achieve the same outcomes do become available these would be researched but currently PPD is a feature of all permanent hair dyes.
Regarding shampoos, conditioners, styling products and the like, in keeping with all manufacturing processes these contain preservatives; otherwise they would have a very short shelf-life.
Can I dye my hair when pregnant or breastfeeding?
The following link from NHS Choices provides a comprehensive list of answers to this often asked question:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/949.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=131
Many of our customers continue to colour their hair while pregnant but we of course are not able to make any special claims as to the suitability of our colours in these circumstances. However I think the information contained on the above website may allay any apprehensions you may have.
Does hair dye cause cancer?
The following link from CancerHelp UK provides a comprehensive list of answers to this often asked question:
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/about-cancer/cancer-questions/does-hair-dye-cause-cancer
Is there a shade chart to help me choose my colour?
Daniel does not advocate the use of a shade chart as it almost impossible to reproduce on any media a colour that would be representative of the outcome on individual hair. The reason for this is that Daniel’s Watercolour does not contain harmful peroxide, ammonia or alcohol to bleach the hair, meaning that the final outcome will much depend on any natural pigment or dyes previously used on the hair, making shade charts confusing and misleading.
Daniel has endeavoured to describe the colours as accurately as possible in the product list and he hopes that you will find this of help in choosing your shade.
Getting the right shade and most suitable application timing can be a little trial and error at first because of the absence of bleaches and the fact that the vehicle for the pigment is pure water but once you are used to using Watercolour I am sure you will not want to use anything else.
Remember you can always call us for advice if you are still unsure.
Are Daniel’s products organic?
The term “organic” has a wide ranging definition and so unfortunately it is not possible to answer a simple “yes” or “no” to this very valid question.
Daniel is the pioneer in the field of organic and mineral hairdressing and many are now following his lead. Daniel’s products in one form or another have been established for well over twenty years. The original concept was aimed at a naturally efficiently organised approach to hairdressing and hair care, avoiding as far as possible the use of synthetic chemicals and using gentler alternatives.
Over the years there have been a number of controversies concerning the term “chemicals”, in the light of new research and coupled with media reporting. Daniel is constantly monitoring the ingredients of all his products, a process that one can imagine is ongoing, in these days of a more aware society, better educated in health issues. Many materials – both natural and man-made have a definite chemical composition and so no manufacturer can claim that any product is devoid of chemicals.
All our products carry a clear ingredients listing within the packaging so that our customers may make an informed choice whether or not to use a product at the outset. Where updated ingredients will achieve the same results it is Daniel’s policy to make changes accordingly, as soon as really workable alternatives become available and as soon as practicably possible.
I am undergoing a course of chemotherapy treatment – is it safe to use Daniel’s Watercolour?
Of course it will be understood that we are unable to make any special claims as to the suitability of Watercolour for chemotherapy patients. We always recommend following the advice of the respective clinician. Having said that, many chemotherapy patients do use the product after taking advice and in many cases have been referred to us.
Watercolour contains no ammonia, alcohol or peroxide but in view of any treatment be undertaken we would always advise that the medical practitioner looking after you be consulted before using any product. Watercolour will simply add colour and will not damage your hair.
I think I am allergic to hair dyes
If you have had a reaction to hair dyes in the past, it is likely that you have developed intolerance to one or other of the ingredients in hair dyes.
Reactions of one kind or another to the use of hair-dye products are not that uncommon. They range from irritation occurring locally in areas in direct contact with the dye (irritant contact dermatitis) to 'genuine' allergy which will provoke local symptoms (allergic contact dermatitis) but may also produce a systemic reaction affecting other areas of the body. In both cases the symptoms can vary from very mild to quite severe. The local irritation will tend to affect the scalp, neck, forehead, ears and eyelids; the generalised symptoms may include more widespread itching, urticaria (nettlerash), general unwellness or, rarely, anaphylaxis.
Hair-dye products in general contain a wide range of chemicals and almost any of these could trigger sensitivity reactions. However there are a group of well recognised culprits.
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is found in permanent hair dyes, especially those at the darker / black end of the range. These systems usually require the use of two components; the PPD-based dye in one bottle together with various other chemicals (e.g. resorcinol to vary the colour tone; ammonia which is necessary for the chemical reaction), and an oxygen-providing 'fixative' (usually hydrogen peroxide) in the second bottle. Daniel’s Watercolour does not use this process. It contains no ammonia, peroxide or alcohol, the added benefit being that it will not cause damage to the hair but on the other hand it will not lighten the hair; it will simply add colour. However, like all permanent hair dyes the darker colours are likely to contain small concentrations of Phenylenediamine (PPD), and the lighter shades may contain trace elements, due to the blending process involved.
Because PPD is known to be a strong sensitiser in some people, for the patient who has become sensitised there are no 'safe' permanent hair dyes.
In common with all hair dye suppliers, Daniel recommends carrying out a “patch test” prior to each and every application. Details of the patch test are contained in the instruction leaflet sent out with every pack and are repeated below.
If you are still unsure as to the culprit in you particular case, you should consider undergoing formal patch testing at an allergy (dermatology) clinic. The main chemicals that cause problems in hair-dyes are well known, and are available in patch-test form. The clinic will test a range of these chemicals as well as other potential sensitisers and will then tell you which ones you are sensitive to. You can then look for products that are free of the offending chemicals. There are drawbacks with this plan - getting referred; waiting lists; the limited number of chemicals tested - they can't test everything, and you may be sensitive to something they haven't tested, that could then cause a problem if it is in the product that you choose to use.
The alternative would be to “patch test” a range of products yourself (unless you have suffered a severe reaction from hair dyes previously). This has the advantage that you test the whole product, although if you react to some of them you won't know exactly what component is causing the problem but you will know to avoid using the product. Patch test by dabbing a small amount of the dye solution on the inner elbow, leave to dry and leave uncovered for 48hrs. If any irritation, rash or unwellness occurs then do not use the product and wash it off your skin. immediately.
When choosing products, switch to non-permanent hair dyes. These generally use different, less troublesome chemicals, although about 10% of people sensitised to PPD will suffer allergic sensitivity to non-permanent dyes as well. Unfortunately, non-permanent dyes or semi-permanent dyes are not effective in covering grey hair.
I want to go lighter – can I do this with Daniel’s Watercolour?
Because Daniel’s Watercolour contains no lightening agents such as ammonia, peroxide or alcohol that would be damaging to the hair it will simply add colour.
If you have recently coloured your hair with a darker shade or have some naturally darker pigment remaining, adding colour, even a lighter shade, can increase darkening rather than reduce it. On the other hand, as the colour grows out, where there is re-growth at the roots and temples or elsewhere, Daniel recommends that you treat only the re-growth and blend this in with the rest of your hair and continue treating the re-growth over a period to achieve the results you require.
In any event, to avoid over darkening if you are colouring regularly, you should only treat the re-growth and blend in with the rest of your hair. When carrying out the colouring process using your normal treatment timing of up to one hour, the remaining solution may be applied to the rest of you hair during the last ten to fifteen minutes. This will ensure that the rest of your hair receives a “semi-permanent” treatment which will wash out and/or fade prior to your next application – keeping your hair shade in balance.
Email: orders@danielfieldmailorder.co.uk - for further assistance.
