Grecian formula
Encyclopedia
Grecian Formula is a popular men's hair coloring
product in the United States. It is made by Combe Incorporated
in White Plains
, New York
, and is also known as Grecian Formula 16. It is available as a clear liquid, cream and a foam. It was first introduced in 1961 and is still commercially produced.
The product is marketed in some countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand as Grecian 2000. The name Grecian 2000 was invented by Stewart Hasted who was asked by the manufactures for something classical and scientific.
One of the product's main features is that it works gradually, so the color change is not as noticeable as with dye
products. This is because the US formulation isn't really a dye, but a metallic pigment. The product is 98% clear liquid, 0.29-0.34% lead acetate
and a small amount of sulfur
. The product both coats and penetrates the hair
shaft, and the lead acetate reacts with the sulfur to produce a dark black pigment
. Over time, the small particles of black pigment add up, resulting in darker hair. To adjust the darkness, one simply uses more or less of the product.
Some of the drawbacks are that it doesn't work well with facial hair, and it must be used daily for the first week or two, which some people find inconvenient. However, once the desired color is reached, treatments are reduced to about once per week. Also, the only color available is shades of black. Canada and Europe previously banned the product because of its use of lead acetate. However the formula has now been changed to use bismuth citrate in those countries and is again available for sale.
The standard alternative to lead acetate hair treatment is the use of organic dyes. Ammonia-based women's hair colouring products permanently change the color of all hairs to that of the dye. To avoid lead content and to allow for colours other than shades of black, semi permanent dyes are used in products such as Just for Men
. These dyes can cause allergic reactions in individuals with sensitive skin.
Hair coloring
Hair coloring is the practice of changing the color of hair. Common reasons are to cover gray hair, to change to a color regarded as more fashionable or desirable, and to restore the original hair color after it has been discolored by hairdressing processes or sun bleaching...
product in the United States. It is made by Combe Incorporated
Combe Incorporated
Combe Incorporated, based in White Plains, New York, is a privately owned personal-care company founded in 1949 by Ivan Combe. Combe products are sold in 64 countries on six continents. Ivan Combe primarily promotes the brand names instead of the company name...
in White Plains
White Plains, New York
White Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and is also known as Grecian Formula 16. It is available as a clear liquid, cream and a foam. It was first introduced in 1961 and is still commercially produced.
The product is marketed in some countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand as Grecian 2000. The name Grecian 2000 was invented by Stewart Hasted who was asked by the manufactures for something classical and scientific.
One of the product's main features is that it works gradually, so the color change is not as noticeable as with dye
Dye
A dye is a colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied. The dye is generally applied in an aqueous solution, and requires a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fiber....
products. This is because the US formulation isn't really a dye, but a metallic pigment. The product is 98% clear liquid, 0.29-0.34% lead acetate
Lead acetate
Lead acetate can refer to:* Lead acetate , Pb4* Lead acetate , Pb2...
and a small amount of sulfur
Sulfur
Sulfur or sulphur is the chemical element with atomic number 16. In the periodic table it is represented by the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with chemical formula S8. Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow...
. The product both coats and penetrates the hair
Hair
Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Found exclusively in mammals, hair is one of the defining characteristics of the mammalian class....
shaft, and the lead acetate reacts with the sulfur to produce a dark black pigment
Pigment
A pigment is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as the result of wavelength-selective absorption. This physical process differs from fluorescence, phosphorescence, and other forms of luminescence, in which a material emits light.Many materials selectively absorb...
. Over time, the small particles of black pigment add up, resulting in darker hair. To adjust the darkness, one simply uses more or less of the product.
Some of the drawbacks are that it doesn't work well with facial hair, and it must be used daily for the first week or two, which some people find inconvenient. However, once the desired color is reached, treatments are reduced to about once per week. Also, the only color available is shades of black. Canada and Europe previously banned the product because of its use of lead acetate. However the formula has now been changed to use bismuth citrate in those countries and is again available for sale.
The standard alternative to lead acetate hair treatment is the use of organic dyes. Ammonia-based women's hair colouring products permanently change the color of all hairs to that of the dye. To avoid lead content and to allow for colours other than shades of black, semi permanent dyes are used in products such as Just for Men
Just for Men
Just for Men is a hair coloring product designed for men and manufactured by Combe Incorporated. Just for Men is designed to color gray hair with a young, natural hair color...
. These dyes can cause allergic reactions in individuals with sensitive skin.