I think it is a bit of both. I now buy hair color (called Herbatint) form the health food store because it is ammonia free. I take it to my hair stylist, and she applies it for me. It seems the more I get away from all these health and beauty products the less flare ups I have. My biggest problem is dramatic weather changes. I live in Calgary, where it can be very warm in the day, and suddenly turn cold and snowing. I can tell it is going to snow at least 12-20 hours before it starts, because things start to hurt so bad. Anyone else bothered by weather changes?? Gail