Going Organic is Good For Your Hair, Too!

Hair salons have long been criticized for the pollution they generate. Traditional hair dyes and many shampoos contain harmful synthetic chemicals that are routinely used on customers’ scalps—and then washed down the drain where they can accumulate in waterways, soils and even our bloodstreams.
While there doesn’t appear to be an industry-wide, coordinated effort to green up these operations, green-friendly salons are popping up all across the country, leading the charge by taking matters into their own hands.
Pure Elements in Guilderland is one such salon that prides itself on its chemical-free atmosphere. Spurred on by her own health problems related to working with conventional hair dyes, owner Kristin Gaffney decided to go all organic with her salon when the chemical treatments that she had been using were giving her a bad reaction.  “I had chronic sinus infections – all the time” said Gaffney. “I asked my doctor why I kept getting these infections.  She asked about the products I was using, so I brought in a bottle to show her.  She pointed out the ammonia as a main ingredient, and said ‘there’s the culprit!’”
The ammonia is necessary to open up the hair follicle so that the color pigments can penetrate the hair follicle.  Unfortunately, the application must stay on the hair for about a half an hour, so both the customer and the stylist must endure the fumes during that time period.  “So to color hair using organic ingredients, we use heat, explains Gaffney, pointing to the hair dryer unit.     

W hen she first opened her eco-friendly hair salon in August, Ms. Gaffney had no idea the amount of buzz she would generate. As someone who is environmentally conscious, it made sense to Kristin that her salon reflected her concern for the environment.
Realizing that toxins in the hair treatments were affecting her health, Ms. Gaffney has made a conscious effort to detoxify the environment of her salon as well.  The paint on the walls is no-VOC paint,” she said.  “The lights are LED, which are low energy consuming.  All the cleaning products that we use are green and non-toxic. We use low-impact hair dryers that produce half the emissions of traditional models.”
The customers at Pure Elements appreciate all that Gaffney has done to provide a safe, comfortable hair salon.
Since opening the doors in April 2009 and the reception from the public has been encouraging.  Her sign on busy Western Avenue is getting some attention, and there is a steady stream of new faces coming in.  “I have a new customer who left her stylist of 20 years to come here for the organic difference,” said Gaffney.   Gaffney boasts that she even has a customer from New York City, who was introduced to the salon by her mother during a holiday visit.  Another loyal customer, Stephanie Delancey, makes the drive from her home in Saratoga Springs to Pure Elements for the improvement she sees and feels with her hair.  “I got tired of my head itching for days after a color treatment,” explained Delancey.  “My mom had been coming to Kristin for years for her manicures and pedicures, so she recommended I come and try it out.  I haven’t gone anywhere else since!”  
In addition to the green approach to the salon services, Ms. Gaffney also has brought in some locally sourced products for her customers.  A customer who makes jewelry has several pieces for sale, and there is line of essential oils and balms made locally.  “We really want to promote local here, says Gaffney.  “We’re part of the community, and we want to help others succeed here too!”

Pure Elements is at 1726 Western Avenue, Albany NY 12203 www.pure-elements-salon.com