Vegan, Organic, and Green Salon ?oh my?

By: David Leonard

Largo, Florida - A trip to the salon is a place where people like to dish dirt and share secrets, some that go beyond a little gossip. “I have to color my every eight to ten weeks to hide it (grey) from the rest of the world,” said Kelly Legg. But the effect of the color treatments were doing more than just hiding Leggs roots. She says every three months, after dyeing her hair her eyes would swell shut.

A dermatologist discovered Legg had and allergic reaction to Paraphenylenediamine or (PPD) a chemical found in hair dye. "I would have had to be gray.” Instead of letting nature take its course Legg discovered a natural alternative at Midori salon in Largo.

You won't find PPD's or Bleach here instead stylist use lighteners made with floral extracts and coloring made with mineral pigments, sans ammonia.“When you are rinsing the hair you are mixing ammonia and bleach and perm solution and even pedicures down into the same water system,” says Amber Holland owner of the Midori. “I tell people you wouldn't mix ammonia in bleach in your bathroom.

Midori which means green in Japanese, opened seven months ago and is one of the few salons to offer customers and alternative to the traditional beauty treatments. Midori uses organic, non-toxic, make-up and beauty products. From vegan nail polish to hand mixed fruit facials to organic cotton balls and reusable gloves, Holland says the green philosophy goes beyond the beauty products. “All the containers are recyclable and we encourage recycling. That is a part of being green and organic.” It is that organic alternative that leaves customers like Legg feeling good about herself and the environment.

If you are looking to buy organic products in the store remember just because a bottle says natural doesn't mean it is. Look for the certified organic sign. Ingredients like Paraphyn and sulfites are a few chemical based ingredients to keep an eye out for.

For more about Midori Salon and Spa click here