Like many of us looking for hair dye solutions during the pandemic, I turned to box- at-home hair color. I was intrigued by the splashy ads by Madison Reeds radiant hair color kits. At $25 a kit (double the cost of typical at home hair dyes), I was quick to sign up for a monthly subscription because the brand made headlines with 'No harsh chemicals.' Within months of using this hair dye, I started losing hair, lots of it. Within 9 months, I've lost 75% of my hair. I did not chalk it up to hair dye until I started noticing the clumps of hair on my shoulders after dying my hair. I started to investigate the label.

Madison Reed is able to make the claims of 'No Ammonia' because they have replaced it with an even more dangerous chemical called ethanolamine. This is a corrosive chemical that causes up to 85% more hair loss than ammonia.

If you google 'Healthy Hair Dye', Madison Reed has paid ads to display their website in search results. If you are vulnerable and looking for safe products, If you struggle with a sensitive scalp or auto-immune issues--they have plagued the internet with ads that catch your search terms. 'Healthy hair dye' 'hair dye for sensitive scalp' and 'hair dye without harsh chemicals' are all search terms that  Madison Reed has paid for google ads for.

I had long black, thick hair down to my back. I cherished my hair. I am left with a few wisps of hair covering my otherwise nearly bald head. I know I am not alone. We need to demand better from cosmetics companies. Madison Reed  should give up on claims and ads around advertising their products as including 'no harsh chemicals' and as safe. We need to protect others from falling victim.