This document discusses hair colouring and the chemical processes involved. It describes the structure of hair, noting that hair colour comes from pigment in the cortex. It then explains the two main chemical ingredients in permanent hair colour - hydrogen peroxide, which acts as an oxidizing agent to initiate colour formation, and ammonia, which is an alkaline catalyst that allows for lightening by separating the hair cuticle. Maintaining developer strength at 30% volume or less helps minimize hair damage from colouring.