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What Is an Oxidation Dye?

Andrea Cross
Andrea Cross

Oxidation dye is a type that is commonly used as a base in permanent hair coloring. The oxidation intermediates are combined with an oxidant in an alkaline substrate to produce the desired hair color. This type of dye is popularly used in both salon and home coloring kits.

Used in permanent hair coloring, oxidation dye can produce a wide range of colors, from shades that mimic natural hair to the vibrant shades used in fashion colors. Oxidation dye is also good at covering grey hair. It provides a long-lasting result that fades slowly.

Oxidation dye is commonly used in home coloring kits.
Oxidation dye is commonly used in home coloring kits.

In order to use oxidation dyes in permanent hair coloring, they must be mixed with other chemicals. Two types of oxidation dye intermediates must be used. First is the primary intermediate. This dye does not have any color itself but undergoes a chemical reaction with a coupler and an oxidator to produce color. An example of a primary intermediate is 2,5-diaminotoulene, which is commonly used in black and brown dyes.

When dying hair, it's recommended to wear gloves to prevent staining the hands.
When dying hair, it's recommended to wear gloves to prevent staining the hands.

The coupler is the secondary intermediate. This component is already a colored dye and reacts with the primary intermediate to produce the desired shade. An example of a secondary intermediate is 2-nitro-p-phenlyenedramine. In order to become a complete dye and penetrate the hair, these two intermediates must be mixed with an oxidant.

A common oxidant in hair dye is hydrogen peroxide. Also called the developer, this component is usually present in hair dyes in liquid or cream form, with a concentration of approximately six percent. The hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the primary intermediate, causing it to react with the coupler. An alkali environment must also be present for the chemical reaction to take place. In permanent hair dyes, this is commonly ammonia.

Oxidation dyes provide long-lasting coverage that fades slowly.
Oxidation dyes provide long-lasting coverage that fades slowly.

To dye hair with oxidation dye, the ammonia and dye intermediates are usually premixed and packaged together. This mixture is then combined with the hydrogen peroxide solution immediately prior to application on the hair. Once applied, the ammonia causes the shaft of the hair to swell and the scales on the shaft to lift, allowing the dye intermediates to penetrate the hair.

Products with oxidation dyes can damage the hair and scalp.
Products with oxidation dyes can damage the hair and scalp.

After a short time, the primary dye oxidizes due to the hydrogen peroxide and reacts with the secondary intermediate. This reaction is visible as the hair dye cream or gel turns from a light color to a much darker one. The dyes must be left on the hair for a sufficient time to complete their reaction and produce a final color. Darker shades are obtained by using higher concentrations of intermediates.

Other dyes can be added to the oxidation dye to adjust the tone and vibrancy of color. For example, 4-amino-2-hydroxytoulene produces redder shades. Permanent dyes can cause damage to hair and skin, so it is important to first perform a patch test to determine sensitivity. The long-term effects of oxidation dyes are not well known; however, there are possible links to different forms of cancer.

Discussion Comments

umbra21

@pastanaga - I have heard some horrible stories about it going wrong, but they are usually because of an allergic reaction. My aunt, for example, apparently had a horrible skin reaction to some hair dye when she was a teenager and could never bring herself to touch the stuff again.

That's why they always tell you to do a strand and skin check before you apply it everywhere, but people hardly ever seem to actually do that.

pastanaga

@Iluviaporos - There are other kinds of dyes for your hair, but they usually don't work as well or for as well. There's always henna, for example (although that takes much longer to set in your hair) and I believe there are hair color mousses and gels that work the same way as a shampoo or conditioner does.

The problem is that you need the dye to penetrate the shaft of the hair without staining or damaging everything else around it. It's not going to work if you use something that just coats the hair. So they need a dye that will chemically react when applied and change into something else, or it won't work well or stick on permanently.

Hair dye is generally pretty safe though, or you would hear a lot more stories about it going wrong.

lluviaporos

It always makes me kind of nervous how complicated it is to dye your hair at home. It just seems like they could put all the different ingredients into a single package so that it doesn't take so much time and concentration.

I usually end up getting someone else to do my hair because I'm worried that I'll mess up and not cover a section with one of the little packets of chemicals.

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    • Oxidation dye is commonly used in home coloring kits.
      By: EuToch
      Oxidation dye is commonly used in home coloring kits.
    • When dying hair, it's recommended to wear gloves to prevent staining the hands.
      By: steinerpicture
      When dying hair, it's recommended to wear gloves to prevent staining the hands.
    • Oxidation dyes provide long-lasting coverage that fades slowly.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Oxidation dyes provide long-lasting coverage that fades slowly.
    • Products with oxidation dyes can damage the hair and scalp.
      By: Laurent Hamels
      Products with oxidation dyes can damage the hair and scalp.