How to Choose a “Green” Hair Color

How much would it upset you to know that something you do on a relatively frequent basis is potentially causing harm to the environment and even your own health?  A few years ago, stories broke about how certain chemicals used in hair dyes were positively correlated with certain types of cancer.  This, of course, caused quite a stir during which women that were frequent users of the permanent hair altering agents were forced to reconsider their stance on pesky grays and drab locks.  Adding to that, it was also determined that many of those same chemicals and others as well were also quite bad for the environment.  In an age when green thinking is not only a trend, but also the means to providing a clean and healthy world for the next generations, these women faced an even more difficult decision.

For a few years, women were forced to risk using questionable hair coloring products, or face the challenge of making gray hair or dark roots a fashion trend.  However, there are hair color brands out there today that can end that internal struggle, and though they may not be as long-lasting as the traditional brands, they are getting pretty close to it.

Knowing the Perpetrators Being familiar with the chemicals that are most offensive to the environment and potentially to your health is a good first step in ensuring that you avoid the wrong dyes.  Included on that list are ammonia, Benzene, Coal Tar, Lead Acetate, p-Phenylenediamine, and Toluene.  Though a couple of these might be difficult to pronounce, it is a good idea to know these terms and to keep an eye out for them on your next box of hair color.  If you entrust a beauty salon to do your dying, then bring the list with you and ask that they avoid using color that contains any of those chemicals.  Ammonia, which is like a corrosive, also acts as a preparation agent.  It makes the hair more susceptible to the color, which produces a better coverage.  However, it has also been linked to severe lung irritation and is very harmful to water dwellers.  Benzene, similarly, is used as a sort of adhesive agent, causing a better cling between the hair and the color.  It is also linked to severe problems with bone marrow, the immune system, and even the central nervous system.  Coal tar is found in darker hair dyes and is also found in many dandruff shampoos, but is a known cancer causing agent.  Lead acetate, which is horrible for the environment and has been linked to tumor growth and brain damage, is also common in many of the more popular brands of hair dye.  P-Phenylenediamime is another one that is particularly bad for fish and other aquatic life.  It is used as another type of color-hair bonding agent, especially in darker dyes.  Studies have shown a significant link to cancer.  Toluene is the reason that freshly dyed hair looks so bright and shiny, but it has been proven to cause cancer in animals.

Brands to Keep in Mind There are brands available that can be a friend to you and the environment.  These companies have worked hard to maintain organic standards and to reduce or completely do away with the dangerous chemicals altogether.  The soy-based “Tints of Nature,” for instance, has removed the ammonia and other harsh chemicals that can also cause allergic reactions in many individuals.  “Herbatint,” on the other hand, did not do away with chemicals completely, but they did drop the ammonia and harsh perfumes while reducing the concentration of others.  Several newer dyes like “Palette by Nature” are resorting to the use of henna extracts as well as several plant based dyes.  These are just a few of the “friendly” dyes that are available today.  However, take caution when selecting your color, and don’t fall for false advertising schemes.  Just because a hair dye claims to be all natural or organic does not necessarily mean that the dangerous elements are not at play.  Always take time to check the ingredients list.

Ways to Avoid Damaging Hair Dye Aside from choosing one of the more environmentally friendly brands listed above, there are other ways to decrease the chances of harming yourself and the environment with hair dye.  The first, and most obvious way, is to accept and celebrate your natural beauty.  Everyone is beautiful in their own way and perhaps hair dye is not necessary.  However, if going au naturale is out of the question, then simply consider taking action to reduce the number of times you dye your hair each year.  For instance, choose a color close to your own natural color so roots are less noticeable and more time can be taken between colorings.  You can also maintain your color through thoughtful consideration.  That is to say, avoid excessive sunlight on dyed hair, which will cause the color to fade, and use shampoos that defend against fading.  You might also consider highlighting or touch-ups as opposed to an all over color, which will call for less color to be used.