PPD LAW SUIT, Just For Men Class Action Suit

Finally, there is a law firm willing to take on the US Government! Many of us have been working towards this, but have had no luck. Now, we have started to turn the corner! True to my word, they are going after the WARNING LABLE IN THE BOX. Before I get too much further, here is a link to the actual site, in case you may have had a reaction to this color.


https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/328614-just-for-men-hit-with-another-class-action-over-allergic-reactions/

I would like to note that the company that owns Just For Men, is the Combe Company. They discovered Clearasil, but sold it. They currently own Vagisil, Sea-Bond, and Grecian Formula, along with Just For Men.

If you haven't been reading my blog, then you may not know that the FDA doesn't have control ove coal tar hair dyes, our Congress actually does. The large companies that make hair color spend millions of dollars in lobby money to make sure that Congress doesn't change the laws with coal tar hair dyes. These companies include, Proctor & Gamble, Coty inc., Loreal, Unilever, The Lauder Companies, Shiseido, Avon, Kaneno, and Alticor/amway.

There are smaller companies, of course, but how much influence they can have on Congress, in can't say. I can say that when one of the above companies chooses to purchase a brand, they spend billions. It makes the news, but it seems like the public never hears about it. I'll use The Lauder Companies as an example.

I used to sell Aveda products at the last salon I worked at. I also sold it when I was working alone a few years before that, so a total of 18 years. Aveda was purchased by the Lauders. They also own:

Aerin
Aramis
Aveda
Bobbi Brown
Bumble & Bumble
Cliniquè
Darphine
DKNY
Frèdèric Malle
Ermenegildo zegna
Estèe Lauder
Glamglow
Goodskin Labs
Jo Malone
Kiton
La Mer
Lab Series
Le Labo
MAC
Marni
Michael Kors
Ojon
 Osaio
Prescriptives
Rodin Olio Lusso
Smashbox
Tommy Hilfiger
Tory Birch

So, you see how one company owns many companies. The reason is for marketing. Each makeup line is marketed to a different age group, and a different target market. The diversity allows for some balance if there is a dip in sales in one area. MAC is sold in the juniors department, with rock music. The target audience? Unisex and youth. Ever wonder what shade of eye liner Ozzy Ozborn wears? Check out the latest MAC. Bobbi Brown is marketed towards the 40-50 group. Estèe Lauder, marketed to 55 and up. Prescriptives is marketed to anyone with sensitive skin. Clinique is marketed to 20-35 conservatives. Smashbox is marketed to the 18-30 fun lovers.

So, this multi-billion dollar company can easily spend money to lobby in Washington. As can all of the others. What this accomplishes is an industry that is basically
*self  regulated
*make their own safe guards
*and they create their own education.

Patch testing will only protect the company, not the client. The first time you come into contact with hair color, you can not t react. Only on the second exposure can you react. Thus, protecting THE MANUFACTURER.

I also have documents proving that hair color can cause cancer, and the US chose to lie about it. Instead of letting us make our own choice. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to put photos on here since they have changed it, AGAIN.

I really wish that they would stop changing things that are an easy one click to a bunch of  do this, and that, and a password, then click here. Some of us have had to re-learn this crap over 20 times now, it's getting old! Sorry about the rant!

If you used Just For Men, and you were Allergic, go get signed up!

-Gina

PPD ALLERGY: Anyone in the U.S. Willing to Share?

Hi to all of my readers out there!

 I know that I've asked this for other areas before, now I'm asking for the United States. If you have photographs, and a story to tell about PPD, now is your chance! The story will run in Great Britain.

Please contact me!

You can also contact Josh, the journalist. He promises he will be won't bite!

ginamarietaro@gmail.com

joshuasaunders@catersnews.com

On another note:

I currently am working on the 'caine problems. I reacted to Lidocaine. I recently discovered it was because of the preservative. I'm attempting to find out about getting a special mix without it. I'll post when I know more.
G.T.

PPD HAIR COLOR FACTS: how do 3 million + a year in the U.S. alone sneak by

I took some numbers and broke them down for a comparison. I used the 1950 numbers to compare to 2013 so we had something to compare to. I hear from so many clients, both WOMEN AND MEN, from as young as 14, about their allergy. Remember, this is what the insert warning says in each box of color:

Caution –This product contains ingredients which may cause skin irritation on certain individuals and a preliminary test according to accompanying directions should first be made. This product must not be used for dyeing the eyelashes or the eyebrows; to do so may cause blindness.” 


http://asbcouncil.org/sites/default/files/library/docs/crs_report_fda_regulation_of_cosmetics_and_personal_care_products.pdf

The link above is a 2012 FDA report that explains how they have tried to alter the 1938 law, along with the Government Office of Accountability, and other policy makers. (See pages 15-19) I'll do my best to not get on my soap box.

It was easier to get the additional print for toxic shock syndrome, which was put in the insert within tampon boxes.   Don't get me wrong, it was just as serious. Both subjects deserve more than a printed insert. The firm number I found today was 6-17 women per 100,000 in the United States.

https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/8852185/Kohen.html?sequence=2

 I find that the argument of these numbers should make it almost laughable that the insert for hair color not be changed immediately. Why is it that Congress seems to forget that they work for us? I have heard from many individual congress persons who were wonderful. As a group, what are they thinking!? These numbers DONT LIE.

1950 60,000,000 60mill women

7% colored hair 4,200,000

6% allergic= 252,000

2013 73,000,000 73mill women

75% color 54,000,000 54mill

6% allergic= 3,285,000. 

Remember, this is only adult women in the US, no teens, no men. The insert says you MIGHT get a rash. 

Send ME you're photos, I will crop out faces, or blur them. Everyone is anonymous with me. ginamarietaro@gmail.com

Thank you!

Gina

PPD FREE COLOR HAIR PRINT! 100% non-toxic, pigment free! New color on the block fills huge gap on the market

 I've spent some time with this new color, Hairprint, and it's really fabulous. I thought that I would explain the background of the color, the people behind it, as well as the ingredients. This is perfect for the cool colored browns, dark browns, very dark browns, and blacks that we are not quite able to get without the PPD. When you order, mention that you heard about it from Gina, so we can try to keep track of who orders. :)

NOTE - Hairprint works best on hair that is less than 50% GREY

http://www.myhairprint.com/

Hairprint is actually based on an old principal, but of course it has been mixed with knowledge of current, safer, chemistry. The process is a basic metallic salt color formulation. I suspect that this has been used as far back as Ancient Greece, but I can trace it back as far as Ancient Rome. If you are thinking that this is your grandfathers' Grecian Formula, with the green tint, that everyone knew was still grey, you would be wrong. This is actually an amazing product. I put it through some intense sun, boating, swimming, and there wasn't any green, ever. I hope that clears up any questions on the "green". It's just a classification, one that the company seems to not say. It is also classified as a permanent color, but to get a better grasp on how it works, let's call it a "progressive" permanent color. That means that you have to layer the color in "progressive" layers to achieve the full color results on white hair. This is why each package comes with three applications, but to be applied in one sitting, for 10 minutes each. Sound confusing? It's not, once you figure it out. The first product is actually a pre-shampoo product, that comes in a small packet. Then there are two applications that are the same, a liquid bottle, and a packet of powder, one set marked 1, one set marked 2. The last set, marked 3 is slightly different, but not by much. It helps to set the color.

I've changed what I apply the color with a bit. I need two pairs of gloves, as I poke through the gloves provided straight away. I also found the brush too messy to try to scoop up the color. I use a small wooden spoon.  The color grips the wood, and I can scoop some of the color to areas around the head that are vertical. Since I've found that speed is the most important factor, I apply the color to the most resistant grey first. -unless I'm trying to achieve a special look...

The best part about this color is its versatility. It's limitations are only as far as your mind can take you. Sometimes I like to blend into the roots so regrowth is softer, or on the first application do less so the change is subtle. I like to use it as a blender color on clients that have a lot of grey, by starting the application in the back, and moving towards the front, leaving it lighter and less covered around the face, think Elizabeth Taylor, but more towards the brown shades.

Of course, the number one reason that I use this is because it is PPD FREE. In fact, it's PIGMENT FREE. The people that have founded this company swear by the color so much, they have actually consumed it! How many color companies can say that they have actually eaten some of their color? NONE! The ingredients are:

Water, goes without saying

Baking Soda, in your kitchen 

Mucuna Pruriens, The velvet bean, often used for healthy smoothies!

Sodium Carbonate, a base, sometimes used as an electrolyte, naturally occurring 

Carbomer ** a thickener, think fairy dust! 

Hydrogen Peroxide, The peroxide percentage is very small. It is actually dissipated by the time you are applying. 

Diatomaceous Earth  made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. (tiny little sea shells)

Manganese Gluconate used to treat low blood magnesium. 

Ferrous Gluconate Iron(II) gluconate, or ferrous gluconate, is a black compound often used as an iron supplement. 

I will mention one warning, I've always been told not to perm hair treated with this kind of color. So, if anyone has permed over this, please let me know if you had "pocket curls". That's where the hair melts off the client's head, and you hide the curlers in your POCKET.

trouble shooting - I've had a few clients contact me with challenges, here's how to handle them. 

Granules of Color on the Hair - Don't leave the color on longer than recommended. 

Staining on the Skin - dryness or improper pre-treatment. As hairdressers, we apply a product around the face, ears, and hairline to inhibit color staining. Usually it is a super thick moisturizer of some sort. In the old days, we used Vaseline. I recommend using anything, even a chapstick will work. 

Staining on your Scalp - Dryness. Dry scalp can be caused by winter, fine hair products, thinning hair products, medical issues, diet and more. It's difficult to say how much moisture the client needs, but assuming that the client has a healthy scalp, two quick ways to help get rid of some of the dryness before coloring?  Before you shampoo, apply some hair conditioner to your scalp for 5 minutes. Rinse, and shampoo as usual. You can also do this the day after you color. Scalp too dry for this to make a dent? Substitute coconut oil for the conditioner, and allow it to sit on your scalp for an hour before shampooing out. 

*It is very important that there is no oil left in your hair when you do your color!!

/http://www.myhairprint.com/

SO, I did some checking into the company, and the founders. Can you say WOW? The Company is also working with the NOVO Foundation, donating 20% of the proceeds to girls in the third world. 

Let's start with Jasmin Hawken. (nee- Scalesciani) This Certified Nutritionist has a private practice that caters to A-list actors, Fortune 500 entrepreneurs, and professional athletes. There is a link to sign up for a FREE world wide 21 day cleanse, which I plan on doing as soon as we have some good fresh fruit and vegetables around here. (Upstate NY right now has Oranges, and Broccoli. So, I ate 5 oranges yesterday!) She is known for her absolute love of plants and herbs. The medicinal properties of which she unlocks and continually blooms into life, breath, movement, and in her own words, love. On her web site, at the top left, you will find five words, words that would be good for everyone to live by.

 EAT MOVE LIVE BREATH LOVE

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/wc/jasmine-scalesciani

Paul Hawken, when I first read his name, I thought, well, he's just Jasmine's husband. Not so! His resume is shockingly both expansive, and diverse. From press coordinator in Selma, Alabama the night before Dr. Martin Luther King's historic march, to an organic food company, to not just THE Smith and Hawken catalog company, but actually designing some of the tools and products. He is an accomplished writer, with 4 of the 7 becoming national best sellers. He has done public speaking, actually in so many places that you have to go to his web site to see them, because I'm not re-typing them all! He has been on many TV shows, radio shows,  He serves as a board member for several companies, as well as Hairprint. One company he founded is currently working on green solar energy that is affordable, and one book was noted by past President Bill Clinton as, "One of the 5 most important books of today."

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Capitalism-Paul-Hawken/dp/0316353167/ref=mt_hardcover?_encoding=UTF8&me=

Indecently, every time that I have contacted the company, it has been Paul that has returned my e-mails.

http://www.paulhawken.com/paulhawken_frameset.html

Elizabeth Kapu’uwailani Lindsey,Ph.D., was born a native Hawaiian. She was raised by traditional elders, giving her a traditional Hawaiian name, Kapu’uwailani, meaning "The Heart of Heaven". She is an award winning film maker, actress, beauty queen, environmentalist, explorer, and most of all she works to preserve and document the ancient ways, world wide  She is the first female National Geographic Fellow, and the first Polynesian explorer.  She has studied vanishing traditions from remote parts of the world, including non-instrument ocean navigation. In partnership with NatGeo and PBS, she has served as executive producer on a multi-part series. My favorite line on her bio for NatGeo is, "She resides in California and Hawaii, but she considers herself a child of the world."

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/explorers/bios/elizabeth-lindsey/

That leaves us with Dr. John Warner. This is the man who came up with the formula, and co-holds the patent. I'm not sure if I noted this, but the patent was passed in 8 months, which is unheard of -and Dr. Warner would certainly know, he holds a multitude of patents, some joint, some not. He is a Chemist, a GREEN chemist, a professor, a writer, an editor, a fellow, a musician, a gamer, (he likes World of Warcrack, I mean Warcraft!), an award winner, oh, did I mention that he owns his own institute? WarnerBabcock? There is just too much for me to type about Dr. Warner as well.

http://www.warnerbabcock.com/documents/john-warner-resume/

The talent that has brought this color to the market is brilliant. If you had doubts about trying it, I hope that reading about the people behind it gave you the extra nudge to order. This color is safe. I've used it 4 times, with zero repercussions. I'm about to order so I can do my fifth!  Try it! 

 http://www.myhairprint.com/

*I do NOT make any money, or receive any monetary compensation for any orders, or for this blog. gt

** Carbomer- This is synthetic. Although there are natural alternatives, they can be sensitizers. Looking at all of my resources, this white powder seems to actually be the best choice. There are zero chances of allergies, according to everything that I have read. I will continue to look, but the past six months have turned up zilch. It's in a lot of products, in fact, I was very surprised at the number of things that I have that it's in. -it's too many to list! -gt

PPD Allergy in the U.K.? I Need You to REPLY

Hi out there! I've been contacted by a journalist that is looking for a severe PPD sufferer with photographic proof that is horrific. (which we all know how bad that really is...)

How has it changed your life, or ruined it?

 How crazy is it that there are no doctors that have any idea what's going on?

 Why is there so little knowledge out there?  

Why haven't they put a better warning inside of the box, or changed the patch testing?

It's your time to say your peace/piece!!

Contact me ASAP!! and leave your e-mail in the comment box

Gina

Hilighting with a PPD Allergy (or a metal* allergy)

I was planning on posting the final result on the new color I have been trying lately, but I've had a few family things to attend to this week. I will have to attempt to get to that ASAP. My apologies. I've been holding this one for a bit, so I'm releasing it now.  

I've been asked about hilights, and in most cases it is possible to do with a PPD allergy, if you use bleach. Hair bleach, I use white, then I know it doesn't have any coloring at all. I do feel that some PPD reactive clients might need to be more careful than others, so here is my advice on why.


The answer is two parts, and you will need to take me seriously. Cover your bases, and you can be safe. I am NOT a doctor, nor do I pretend to be one. You ALWAYS need to seek a doctor for medical help, and follow your doctor's directions first! I have been a licensed NYS cosmetologist for 30 years, and I have a background based in chemistry. (aka nerd) For the past 14 years, I have been studying hair color allergies.

IF YOU HAVE A SEVERE PPD ALLERGY, YOU NEED TO HAVE 2 EPI PENS FROM YOUR DOCTOR. They may save your life. Tape one to your fridge, and put one in your purse. (If you don't carry a purse, you may be able to keep it in your vehicle, but you will have to read the package about temperature) If you feel tightness in your throat, it can take seconds for it to close off your breathing, and suffocate you. An epi pen is a way to get the drug into you.These are two VERY different medicines!This is only for a severe reaction of anaphylactic shock. It is NOT for minor itching, hives, welts, sores, open wounds,burns, burning sensations, or any of the like.

When I had the symptoms of tiny, itchy bumps all around the edges of my face after I colored it the night before, I thought I was getting a break out from my monthly visitor. I had washed up for the evening and took 2 Tylanol PM's for my aching head, and my need to relax. So, no itching because the PM part is Benadryl! I knew my face and hairline were bothering me, but holy cow, All day the next day it was really Itchy. When I got home, the tiny bumps were larger bumps with fluid in them. Still small though. I actually had a friend online catch it for me while we were chatting. Too close to the situation to think I could all of the sudden be allergic?! I certainly was. She told me that I accidently took the benadryl and had relief. She had been Prescribed Zyrtec and Benadryl. I called my doctor's office, they told me to do the same thing, and the amount of time to use it.  

What I had been taught about bleach previously, was that you can become allergic to bleach, but it is in our drinking water, pool water, and spa's/hot tubs.* If you can scrub things with bleach, swim in a pool, or soak in a spa, you should not be allergic to bleach for hair. HOWEVER, I have done MUCH MORE extensive research on this myself now, and I know this is not the case. There are two main ingredients in all hair bleaches that you can become allergic to, they are both persulfates. One is ammonium persulfate, the other is potassium persulfate. I would stay away from ammonium Persulfate, as it has a higher rate of "uticaria" or hives according to a report from Cornell University.

Also, There are bleaches that have bluing in them. They can be ultramarines, or CI77007, it they are usually in very small quantities, and I have never heard of it bothering anyone. This is something that if you have a very bad reaction, I would use an ammonia persulfate in a white bleach over the CI77007. Just because it won't touch your head, I've learned the hard way that some of my clients can't take chances.

High lift tints - You can not use tints of ANY KIND. Period. I can not stress this enough. Spanish medical study done on hair color to determine if PPD free color had any amount of PPD. Guess what? Some of it actually did. Each of the 22 color companies tested were color companies used worldwide. The number one company that was cited? Wella. Has it been rectified? Does it matter? The company was bought by the second culprit. Proctor and Gamble. Please do not take chances with color.

If you want to do a hilight, you can do foils OFF the SCALP,(BLEACH) or a cap OFF the scalp with bleach. If you have had a reaction that sent you to the hospital, you MUST use white bleach.

There you have it. Hilight 101 for PPD sufferers.

* Some powder free bleaches contain Titanium Dioxide. This is a chalk like substance that is a byproduct from mining titanium. It's not confirmed, but I believe it is possible to have a reaction to this bleach if you have severe metal allergies. There is a test for metals, it's called the MELISA test. http://www.melisa.org/ 

First Report on the New Color

I've been hounded with people asking me about the new color. I have been trying to postpone my post because of two reasons. The first is that I've been in the process of moving my salon about a mile up the street, the new place isn't done being built yet. The owner of the building I just left made me leave sooner than he had stated, and let's just say I've had a learning experience. The second reason is the Chemist for the color company is still in Italy until August 8th. I would prefer to make my statements AFTER I have been able to speak with him. Since I have had so many requests, I will post my initial findings. (Notice, I am still not posting the brand)

(Hover along the right top side of this blog and sign up for e-mails of new blogs so you will know when new information is out before anyone else!)

I applied the brown, to myself, and to my poor husband. He was VERY patient, especially since it was his goatee! I will say thank you, and I love you for putting up with me!! (Now, I hope he never see's the photos...)

Here is how my experience went:

I found the box was bigger than I expected, and packaged very nicely. I was surprised that it came with a nice pair of gloves, and a color brush. There is a pre-treatment, which is like a shampoo, but has baking soda to help open the cuticle up. There are also three dry packets, and three liquid bottles.

I shampooed my hair and did not use conditioner, in the shower. I then opened the box, and tried to experience the box like a new client would. I had read the instructions once already, so I knew I would be using the pre-treatment now. It would have baking soda in it. I didn't know it would be a shampoo, so my hair was pretty tangly, being that I had already used a shampoo for before chemicals. It still came out fine, but I would never recommend that to anyone else. It would be too hard for other's to section the hair, and I think they would get dark ends. My ends did not get darker than the hair shaft, possibly because my hair is healthy, or because of my delay in the application to the ends. After rinsing the pre-treatment, I mixed the first bottle and packet, and applied. The consistency is light, airy, and has a bit of foam. It reminded me of the inexpensive diluted cream rinse we used in hair school, but THAT stuff smelled like %$#&! This product seems to have very little to no odor at all. I left it on for 15 minutes, and rinsed.

 

On the left, my hair just before the application, in the middle, completely covered, 5 minutes left before rinsing. It's messy, that's because it's a fast timed product. My husband, Phil being the best guy EVER! He itched a few spots...fortunately it didn't seem to stain his skin.

I then mixed the second bottle and packet, quickly, as the instructions say, and this time the formula is made to be applied quickly, not sectioned. The first two mixes start out looking very red, but do turn very dark. The color of the liquid do not effect the color of your hair. I applied it quickly, and after 15 minutes, rinsed it. 

The third bottle is the same size as the others, but the third packet is smaller. The color is darker, it looks more plum when you mix it. The consistency seemed the same to me. You quickly apply it, leave it on for 15 minutes, and then rinse it, very well, until the water runs clear. I choose to not shampoo my color after. I rinsed, and rinsed, and rinsed some more. I time myself for a full 5 minutes. I did put a touch of light conditioner on, worked it through, and then rinsed that off. If my hair wasn't so tangled, I would have skipped this as well

 

The photos above are my roots before and after. 

     




 The photo's above are both after. The one on the left shows how my roots are still a bit brown compared to the red henna. I am told that it will take about two applications to cover the henna.

Over all, The color definitely has some AMAZING qualities. It is considered permanent by law, but seems to remind me of the old Sebastian Cellophanes. It is very blending, it lasts for about a month before it begins to wear off. I have a few sprinkles of resistant greys, it seemed to not cover them. I suspect that over time it will. For a color that is 100% organic, that the owner and his employee's have, and ARE willing to EAT, This has a huge potential market.

Can anyone say, "Allergic clients?" I'll post again as soon as I speak to Paul the Super Chemist!! Hover over the top right corner of this blog and sign up for e-mail updates. That way you will know what's coming out before everyone else does!! These are the only articles I've posted in three years, so you will not be sent more than one e-mail a month. In fact, it's much less than that. Thank you for reading!!

- Gina

PPD Allergy, NEW COLOR?

Hello my little friends! I've been chatting with a new friend, Paul, in California. He tell's me that when I get this new stuff in the mail and use it, ALL of you will be very excited! It's actually not even considered a color. It's so organic, you could eat it. (They have!)

So, if you are interested, please hover over the top right corner of this box, just past the advertisement, and click on follow, or subscribe via e-mail. The next blog post will have ALL the information on this brand new technology!

I will leave you ONE HINT:

It went through the U.S. Patent process in EIGHT MONTHS! That's a three year process folks!

Stay healthy!
-Gina

Today on "The Doctors" TV program, and in 2013 over 3 million adult women became allergic to PPD

My husband sent me a text today that on his computer there was something about hair color allergies on The Doctors, so I went on-line to watch it. It had similar information to the last time that I had watched it.

I sent them an email again. If you would like to be heard, or want more people to know, please send your own email and if I've helped you, mention that too. 

www.thedoctorstv.com

You want to look for the contact page. I want to concentrate on education for doctors and hairdressers. I also want to address the fact that congress still upholds the 1938 law in spite of a 1979-1980 GOA study that said it should be reviewed, and the FDA should at least have SOME control. 

It was easier to get the addition for toxic shock syndrome for the insert into tampon boxes than being heard for this, and the numbers don't lie. 

1950 60,000,000 60mill women

7% colored hair 4,200,000

6% allergic= 252,000

2013 73,000,000 73mill women

75% color 54,000,000 54mill

6% allergic= 3,285,000. 

Remember, this is only adult women in the US, no teens, no men. The insert says you MIGHT get a rash. 

Send them your emails, and your photos! 

Thank you!

Gina

Indigo Gives me a headache, am I alone?

Some people are getting headaches from indigo. I previously had not had issues in the salon, nor on my own head, with several hundred uses per year. I can't say how many times I have heard this, and I was stumped. It nagged at me...I sat at stop lights, thinking of what to type into a group search engine. (I use dog pile a lot) So, here are the answers. The first information is some chemistry.  It's from Wikipedia, "Indigo Dye". I know people can change things on wiki, it currently matches the other info I have. If I missed something, let me know. I chose this article because it was short, easy for others to look up, and the least technical. Most of my personal information is much more chemistry based, and I have to sit with it almost every time I need it. I can't just whip it off the top of my head. -but I wish I could!

Chemical synthesis of Indigo
Given its economic importance, indigo has been prepared by many methods. The Baeyer-Drewson indigo synthesis dates back to 1882. It involves an aldol condensation of o-nitrobenzaldehyde with acetone, followed by cyclization and oxidative dimerization to indigo. This route is highly useful for obtaining indigo and many of its derivatives on the laboratory scale, but was impractical for industrial-scale synthesis. Johannes Pfleger[10] and Karl Heumann Karl Heumann eventually came up with industrial mass production synthesis. The first commercially practical route is credited to Pfleger in 1901. In this process, N-phenylglycine is treated with a molten mixture of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and sodamide. This highly sensitive melt produces indoxyl, which is subsequently oxidized in air to form indigo. Variations of this method are still in use today. An alternative and also viable route to indigo is credited to Heumann in 1897. It involves heating N-(2-carboxyphenyl)glycine to 200 °C (392 °F) in an inert atmosphere with sodium hydroxide. The process is easier than the Pfleger method, but the precursors are more expensive. Indoxyl-2-carboxylic acid is generated. This material readily decarboxylates to give indoxyl, which oxidizes in air to form indigo. The preparation of indigo dye is practiced in college laboratory classes according to the original Baeyer-Drewsen route.

Now, if you get your indigo from anywhere besides where I order from, you could be getting some of this in your package. The other explanation could be that you are getting pesticides in your indigo. Both of those can be causing headaches. If you read the second sentence, it refers to "o-nitrobenzaldehyde" , which you will notice has the nitrobenzene right in the name. That is directly related to the PPD allergy. The NITRO and the BENZENE.

If you are getting your indigo from a good source, I can try to help you. I finally had a reaction in the salon, and I can tell you exactly why it happened. In my case, I was taking a client from bleached blond to black. I first colored it with henna, then indigo. I had her under the dryer for an hour, and instead of washing off the indigo and replacing it with new indigo, I allowed her to remain under the dryer for another hour. She developed a migraine. So, the amount of time you have straight indigo on your head is a contributing factor. I normally have the client under the dryer with straight indigo for about 30-45 minutes. With this normal timing, I have never had a problem. I have also never had a problem with mixing the henna and indigo together and putting a client under the dryer. The timing for that is the same, about an hour.

 I would also have liked to check to see if the plastic wrap being wrapped close on the head is better, or if it's better to have some amount of breathing room. This would only be for the straight indigo. since the looser plastic wrap can sometimes allow the indigo to dry, it will be difficult to test. I may not have the patience to actually try this. Success sometimes is best left untouched.

I hope that this will help some of you who have had headaches with the indigo. If you have not been using heat as a catalyst, then it's time to invest in a heated conditioning cap from Sally's. It's quiet, and you can hear the TV, or kids, and you can un-plug and go to the laundry area, kitchen, and so on.

 http://www.sallybeauty.com/heat-cap/SBS-255503,default,pd.htmlhttp://www.sallybeauty.com/heat-cap/SBS-255503,default,pd.html

You can also purchase a bonnet style dryer, which is what I use.  I've had many of them given to me, as I collect old ones.

http://www.sallybeauty.com/hard-hat-dryer/SBS-255270,default,pd.htmlhttp://www.sallybeauty.com/hard-hat-dryer/SBS-255270,default,pd.html

It will be the best investment you make for your color. Remember, if you buy an ugly outfit, you can throw it back in the closet, return it, send it to the rescue mission, give it to ________, (we all have that person who looks good in everything!) or just plain old throw it away! Hair is not so easy. If your spending several hours to do something organic, healthy, and good for you, save your pennies and do it correctly. In the desert, they had heat. A LOT OF HEAT.  They sat in the sun, sometimes in 120 degree heat. We may not have access to that, but we can mimic that. You have to think outside the box, and remember that these plant pigments have been used for thousands of years. What did they have that we don't? Sun, heat, dry air. That adds up to a dryer, or for sanity, a heated cap.

Cheers, as a friend of mine in NYC says!

Gina

Remember, I am NOT a doctor, if you are having any symptoms that you think may be an emergency, please call 911. If it is not an emergency, please call a doctor. The doctors that usually deal with the PPD allergies the best are allergists and dermatologists. You may need the T.R.U.E. test information from the FDA web sight.  Feel free to provide the doctor with the link as well, or a printout of the information. Here are the links:

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Allergenics/ucm294326.htmhttp://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Allergenics/ucm294326.htm

The next one is just the PDF of the actual test.

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Allergenics/UCM294327.pdfhttp://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Allergenics/UCM294327.pdf