Hair coloring with natural dyes

Nature offers a rich variety of natural hair colorants with incredible intensity and good strength.

Most hair dyes, available on the market, are far from harmless to health. Their most common ingredient - Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is known as allergen and irritant, penetrating through the skin toxin, probable carcinogen. Allergic reaction to PPD is likely to trigger sensitivity to different products that come in contact with skin - lotions, lipsticks, even dark clothes.

To achieve the desired shade, many chemical dyes bleach the hair prior the coloring. The natural dyes work along with the hair color and add some specific and more attractive shades to the natural locks.

Although it is possible to create the illusion of lighter hair, and even add highlights, there is no way to change dramatically your hair color without chemicals.

The natural dyeing results will vary depending on the quality of the herbs and the other ingredients, the hair color, the hair condition, and the method you apply. If you do not want to make mistakes with the color shade, first try to dye an inside lock. Such caution is not superfluous at all, in some cases it is difficult to repair what has been done.

Use gloves while applying the natural hair dye. Good idea is to apply vaseline or any greasy cream to the hairline to prevent unwanted coloration.

Natural hair dyes

Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) is a bush growing in Asia and Africa. Its leaves, dried and powdered are used for hair coloring and painting the skin. The shade, which henna adds to the locks varies slightly between orange, cooper red and cooper brown. The result is a combination of hair color before henna dyeing and the coloring agent of the henna. Read more about henna and henna hair dye.

Indigo (Indigofera Tinctoria) is a shrub, growing in Asia and Africa too. It is used for the production of textile paints. Dried and powdered, the indigo is used to color hair in maroon and black. It is always used in combination with henna. Read more about dyeing hair with indigo.

Cassia or neutral henna (Cassia Obovata) – it is a bush, whose leaves are used as an excellent natural hair conditioner. Gives luster and volume; thickens the locks. This natural hair dye contains pigment that adds a golden hue to the blond hair. Read more about dyeing hair with cassia.

Indian gooseberry (Emblica Officinalis) is the fruit of a tree growing in India, which is widely used in Indian hair and skin care products. Leaves the locks shiny and adds volume, enhances and defines the curls, helps to stop the hair loss. Excellent exfoliates the face. Added to henna darkens slightly and cools down the red shades. Delivers good fixation for herbal pigments and increases color stability.

Warning!
Before any use of herb, look for more information about it. Some herbs are poisonous for internal use, others may have side effects. When you intend to use natural dyes, always check for an allergic reaction. The recommended method is to apply a small amount of the mixture to the inside of your hand and cover the place for 24 hours. If the skin is calm, it should be safe to proceed.