Natural Hair Dye
An increasing number of people worldwide are shunning hair dye products that contain chemicals, and opting instead for natural hair dye alternatives. This trend applies not only to hair dye, but also to foodstuffs, clothing, health and beauty products, fertilizers and pesticides, and even building methods and sources of power (solar versus the grid).
In part this trend is due to ever-increasing environmental damage caused largely by human abuse of our Planet Earth. But it is also prompted by the effect that things that aren't natural have on us. Allergies, asthma and a growing number of other sensitivities are a common result of chemical hair dye and other chemical products, so it stands to reason that people would want to try and avoid these in an endeavor to be, and remain, healthy and natural.
When it comes to hair products, there is absolutely no doubt that overly harsh shampoos, styling agents, colorants, and products that straighten hair can all damage our hair, even if we don't have any other type of adverse reaction to them. Ironically though, natural hair products can also be damaging, which is something that many people are not aware of.
We know that people have been coloring their hair for thousands of years, and that they have used a variety of plants and minerals to do this. It isn’t surprising since there are a huge number of natural agents that contain pigments. These include henna, black walnut shells and a variety of herbs. Sage, for instance, may be used as a rinse to darken hair progressively.
Then there are natural bleaching agents, including vinegar, that react with the natural chemicals in the hair and cause it to change color.
Generally natural pigments coat the hair shaft with color, but unlike chemical products, they don't normally last longer than a handful of shampoos unless you keep rinsing or treating with the natural pigment. It is also difficult to get consistent results, although many people opt for natural inconsistency rather than chemical consistency.
If you are looking for natural hair dye colors, there are two obvious routes you can take. You can concoct your own chemical-free products, or you can source natural products that are available commercially.
People who opt for DIY, homemade concoctions generally do so because they want to be absolutely certain that whatever they are using on their hair is organic. You can liken this approach to those who would rather grow their own veggies at home, rather than buy them from a farmers' market.
However there are a growing number of companies that specialize in natural hair dye products. Generally they avoid the use of harmful chemicals, but utilize natural dyes in a proven scientific way. So instead of having to brew up a recipe of plant extracts and other products, you can rely on the experience of people in business who are passionate about producing hair dyes (and other hair products) that are totally natural.
While natural hair dye products should never contain ammonia or peroxide – or any of the other harsh, harmful chemicals we know can damage our hair – you do need to be sure that a product that claims to be "natural" really is so. Check the ingredients listed on the packaging, and make sure that whatever you opt for really is healthy, free of chemicals and completely natural.