Three out of every five American women (ages 18-55) now color their hair according to the CTFA (Cosmetic Toiletry & Fragrance Association).

 

Recent studies now link hair color to an increase in certain types of cancers.  A recent study by the University of Washington & published in the American Journal of Public Health (1994) states an increased risk of about 50% of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in women that dye their hair.

 

Several additional studies by the American Cancer Society and the FDA suggest an association of prolonged use (20 years or more) and cancer.

 

THE SKINNY ON IT—

 

What makes hair dyes harmful?  Chemicals.  Hair dye must contain developer and developer contains peroxide and ammonia.  Dyes also contain tiny amounts of petrochemicals.  "Natural hair color" products actually contain as many and as harmful toxins as synthetics.

 

Natural hair dyes do provide rich long lasting color with fewer chemicals. Though, to get "long lasting" color, you need chemicals. 

 

Today, "natural" means whatever the consumer perceives it to be. Reading the labels of "natural" dyes prove they contain the same potent carcinogenic chemicals as synthetic dyes.

"If a natural product contains words like amino, nitro or phenyl or names of colors beginning with the letters HC—the product is not natural.

 

All in all, natural hair dyes are a safer choice.  Look for less than 10% peroxide as more than that will penetrate the cuticle.    Avoid products with "coal tar" which has been found to be extremely carcinogenic. Natural products mix plant products with chemical "fixatives". 

 

On a toxicity scale of  1—10, natural products come in around 6—9.  They contain the same kinds of ingredients, just less of them.

 

If health is a concern—the very most natural (and oldest) hair color choice in Henna.  Henna is 100% plant based with no chemicals and requires some effort to learn how to work with it.  It has been used for centuries and is widely available in a range of colors.  It is the only colorant to be safely approved by the FDA.  In order to effectively cover gray hair, henna is often applied in two applications.  It can also be mixed with natural ingredients to boost the color.

 

The color, properly applied should last about 4 to 6 weeks.

 

HENNA WON'T LIGHTEN

 

For the "I've just got to be blonde" group--since Henna is 100% plant based--it won't lighten by itself.

But there is a natural solution for those who want their blonde tresses but don't want chemicals seeping into their bodies through the hair cuticle:

 

1. Honey and Vinegar

Honey is a great lightening ingredient and the olive oil in this recipe will help to keep hair from drying out. To make it, you need:

    2 cups of distilled vinegar
    1 cup of raw uncooked honey – you can find this at most        

     health food stores.
    1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
    1 tablespoon of ground cardamom or cinnamon – either one       is good so it’s really your choice.

 

You just have to mix the ingredients together and then apply onto damp hair. You can use a brush or comb to make sure that you get it evenly distributed or just apply it wherever you want highlights. When you have the mixture applied, just wrap your hair in plastic wrap. If you have one, you can put a shower cap or swim cap on to keep the plastic wrap in place or just wrap a towel around your head.

 

You want to leave the mixture on overnight and then wash it out in the morning. There is no need to sit in the sunlight. This mixture works because honey has a small trace of hydrogen peroxide which is a lightening agent. Cinnamon and cardamom along with the extra virgin olive oil help to boost the lightening effect.

 

Tea

 

Tea, specifically chamomile tea, is a great lightening agent. You can use black tea if you like but chamomile offers a number of properties that will help to keep your hair sleek and healthy. To use tea, you need:

    1 Tea Bag
    Water

You simply boil the water and steep the tea bag for about 10 minutes. Once the tea has cooled, just rinse your hair with it and leave it on for about 15 minutes. You may want to do this 2 or 3 times before you shampoo or rinse to get extra lightening power.