It used to be that only older women dyed their hair. In recent years, in an attempt to 'show their individuality', more young women under age 30 have begun to regularly color their hair. This adds 20, 30 years - or more - to the potentially toxic exposure of chemical hair dyes. Some girls change the color of their hair once or twice a month. Think of the dose of chemicals they are giving themselves!
As the use of hair dye increases, (3 in every 5 women) according to published studies, there was also a link to a double risk in non-Hodgkins lymphoma for women who have used chemical hair dyes. Chemical based hair dyes have many potential cancer causing and endocrine (hormone) disrupting toxins. Some ingredients, particularly lead acetate and sulfur, react to make the color. This combination has been found to be extremely toxic by the FDA, and is popular in many dyes, especially in a best selling men's dye.
A known carcinogen, called 4-ABP, is found in hair dye products which are commonly sold in supermarkets and used in salons. Although not a listed ingredient in the chemical hair dyes, it is a by-product of the processing. Recently science has found that the actual chemical action of the dye (oxidizing) on the hair can contribute to the formation of compounds which promote cancer.
Some popular health store brands, which claim to be natural hair dyes, reveal that most contain two or more FDA-reviewed carcinogens. According to John Corbett, Ph.D., vice president of the CTFA's scientific and technical affairs committee, says, "If a natural product contains words like amino, nitro or phenyl or names of colors starting with the letters HC, the product is not natural."
The good news is that natural henna hair dyes which contain no artificial ingredients such as ammonia, peroxide, PPD (p-phenylenediamine) are a safe alternative.
Henna, which is made from plant extracts, is a natural hair dye that actually nourishes the hair instead of stripping it. It also alleviates the risk of scalp infections, broken, dull hair, adding to body, strength and thickness. This natural hair dye has been used for thousands of years from Cleopatra and Neferteri, but has also been used on nails and body art.
Using henna hair dyes may take a bit longer than chemical hair dyes. The best way is to do the application twice. Make the paste like a cake batter, add an egg or olive oil to seal in the moisture, apply it, then wait for 30 minutes or so. Follow with another coloring. The first application lays down the color; the second puts the color over it.
When you use a natural hair dye such as henna, you are eliminating a large chemical load - and adding to peace of mind that your hair color is natural and safe!
