Take Hair from Dull to Shiny: the Power of Organic Hair Dye

While finding the right comb, using chemical-free shampoos, drying hair naturally and wearing hats in the summer  are all ways to keep our locks shiny and healthy, some of us still fail when it comes to colouring our hair.

Using normal hair dye can damage our hair significantly over time, making the lovely locks dry and prone to breakage. And not only is your hair and scalp exposed to chemicals found in hair dye, but these chemical-based products bring potential dangers for your overall health as well. The awful smell that has to be endured during the treatment is not the only thing we should be worried about. There are some studies that link certain chemicals used in artificial hair colour with a higher risk for cancer.

Most traditional hair colours use ammonia, resorcinol, paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and para-toluene diamine (PTD). These ingredients raise the PH level of your hair much higher than normal and ammonia can damage the hair. Traditional hair dyes can degrade the protein in your hair and wick the moisture away. As a result, your hair can appear dull and may also fade quicker. Ammonia (responsible for the pongy smell in hair dye) and resorcinol (common colour pigment) are highly toxic in nature. In the past, they have been linked to skin and eye irritations, and in some extreme cases, respiratory problems. In addition, PPD and PTD found in traditional hair dyes are petroleum derivatives, which can also irritate sensitive skin types.

That’s why many women in recent years have begun to investigate and invest in organic hair dye shades as a healthier choice. And whether you’re pregnant, giving the vegan lifestyle a go or are maybe trying to change your habits and make more sustainable choices, going for organic hair care is what you should strive for. In fact, trying to cover all areas of your life with organic products will only bring you multiple benefits.

When it comes to hair – natural hair colours will leave your hair feeling softer and looking shinier, while being very effective. There are many plant-derived hair colours that can help you get desired hair shade while restoring your locks. Here are some tips to help you choose right.

Look for Natural Ingredients

Henna Powder

Henna has been around since ancient times and is widely used in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa. It’s made from the leaves of a plant called Lawsonia inermis, and in the process of making a colour, these leaves are dried and grounded. They are then combined with water and some other ingredients like lemon and are used as a dye for hair or fabric. Henna is also traditionally used for temporary tattoos.

When applied, henna gives a vibrant red tint to the hair. But today, henna hair dye is commercially available in many different shades. It’s perfect if you want to achieve a shade of red, brown or black, but it will not lighten your hair. In other words, henna is a tone-on-tone hair colour, and it will stain the original hair colour. Each application of henna will be different and unique to each hair. To provide those shades, organic hair colours include additional herbal ingredients. When choosing those products, make sure they are certified organic, meaning they don’t contain any harsh chemicals such as ammonia, PPD, resorcinol or peroxide.

With henna as its main ingredient, these organic hair dye formulas are blended with specially sourced other ayurvedic, natural herbs. Henna powder, indigo powder, amla fruit powder, neem powder, Brahmi leaf powder can all be combined in different ways to make a product that change the hair colour. Previously these natural options required 3 hours of processing time, but nowadays, these powders can successfully colour your hair in 30 minutes to one hour time. The colour will last approximately two to four weeks and is as permanent as mainstream dyes, all thanks to illite and kaolin clays which gently open up the hair cuticles and allow the mineral colour pigment to penetrate the hair shaft.

Indigo Leaf Powder

You might think of indigo as a plant you once used for a DIY project to colour your t-shirt at home, but indigo is also used as a hair-colouring agent. It gives rich black colour to your hair while making your hair look shiny and healthy. Indigo powder is grounded leaves of the plant widely known as Indigofera Tinctoria and got its name because of the deep blue pigment in it.

Regardless of its blue pigment, indigo powder only colours the hair in shades of black or brown, not blue. Indigo itself is not very effective in the coverage of grey hair, but in a combination with henna, it gives excellent results.

Amla Fruit Powder

Powerful Ayurvedic fruit Amla is also known as Indian Gooseberry. It’s derived from Amalaki plant and has been used as an essential part of hair care rituals since centuries ago. It’s considered as a hair elixir because of its rich nutrients like Vitamin C and vegetable tannins. Amla together with henna powder will help in its efficacy in colouring the hair and will prevent premature greying.

Thanks to their powerful properties, these herbs are perfect not only for hair colouring but also to nourish your locks and keep them healthy as well. There’s no reason not to try this alternative (compared to harmful mainstream dye) as natural hair dye will give you vibrant colour that lasts longer, allowing you to have fun and enjoy your look for longer.

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