Organic
hair dyes - henna hair dye
Since
ancient times people have been using organic vegetable dyes to color
the hair. This use through several thousand years has proven their
overall safety, but also their limitations. Potentially there are
many organic hair dyes, but very few are popular in the modern world.
Traditionally, dyes made from indigo, camomile, logwood, walnut
hulls, and many other plant sources were popular. Today though the
only vegetable dye still in widespread use is henna.
 Henna is made from the ground up dried leaves and stems of the
henna plant (Lawsonia inermis) that grows in North Africa and the
Near East. The hair dye is usually green to look at in powder form
because the dried leaves are green. This surprises some first time
users, but the red color only appears once the dye powder is dissolved
in solution and applied to the hair. The henna powder is usually
made into a paste with hot water and then painted onto the hair.
The result is usually a red tint to the natural hair color, the
degree of color depends in part on the length of time the henna
paste is allowed to stay on the hair. In addition, the effects of
henna hair dyes are gradual and can build up slowly so repeated
application over several weeks is sometimes required to get the
desired result. The result is also relatively permanent and can
look quite attractive when done properly. Although the henna hair
dye can only be described as a semi permanent dye, the results can
last a long time. Additionally, the application is relatively simple
and quick, easily added to a home hair care routine.
You can change the nature of the end result from henna application.
For example, adding a brew from roasted tea leaves to the dye mixture
can change the end color to a richer brown color. Some trial and
error is involved of course. Chamomile is another plant dye. Chamomile
(Matricaria chamomilla) flower heads are ground to make a fine powder.
The powder is made in to a solution that, when applied to blonde
hair, will dilute the color and make the hair a lighter shade of
blonde.
However, there are risks to using henna and other plant derived
dyes. They can be highly allergenic for some people. If an individual
is allergic to henna, an application may lead to a scalp dermatitis.
This can be quite itchy and even painful for those affected. If
you know you have sensitive skin you should try a small patch test
on an inconspicuous area of skin (on the inner part of the elbow
where the skin is thin for example). Apply a little of the prepared
dye solution and leave it as instructed by the dye manufacturers.
Wash off and leave it for a couple of days to see if you have a
reaction. If you are really sensitive you might see redness and
have an itchy feeling within a few minutes of application. For others
it may take a day or two for the reaction to develop. If there is
a response you should not use the dye on your scalp.
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