Changing your hair color can be an exciting adventure, but the chemicals found in conventional hair dyes may have long-lasting health implications. Instead, consider exploring these natural hair coloring options.
Whether it’s to hide gray strands, express a new side of yourself, or just to see if blondes truly have more fun, many of us decide to change our hair color.
While shifting hair color can offer a temporary transformation, the chemicals we use to indulge this desire can lead to serious health concerns, including burns, rashes, and even various types of cancer. Fortunately, there are numerous nontoxic alternatives available that can keep your hair looking fabulous while promoting long-term health.
G’au Naturel
Naturally-derived hair color products from health stores can enhance your natural hue and cover some gray without harmful side effects. Compared to commercial hair dyes, these natural options usually contain lower levels of hydrogen peroxide, which helps to minimize damage to your hair—just be sure to read and compare labels carefully.
Seek out semi-permanent and rinse-out dyes made with natural ingredients like walnut, indigo, coffee, or beetroot. Henna is also an excellent choice for intensifying reds, but be cautious of henna products that come in colors other than its original red hue, as they may have been chemically altered.
For enhanced hair health, opt for natural coloring products enriched with moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and essential oils.
Consult Your Hairdresser
If you enjoy having your hair colored professionally at a salon, keep in mind that it’s generally safer to opt for lightening treatments rather than dark dyes, which have been linked to more severe health risks. Lightening products often involve fewer harsh chemicals and are typically applied using techniques like highlights, minimizing direct contact with the scalp and reducing any chances of chemicals entering the bloodstream.
Create the hair look you desire without compromising your health.
Buyer Beware
Research published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2001 found that individuals who used synthetic permanent hair dyes monthly for a year increased their risk of developing bladder cancer by twofold, while hair professionals faced a fivefold risk. Always heed warnings about keeping these products away from your skin.
