| If you're still dying your hair with harmful chemical dyes, | | | | hair cuticle at all. Dyes made from plant materials |
| you might want to think about changing to natural hair | | | | strengthen the hair instead of damaging it. Some |
| dyes. Recent studies have found a strong link | | | | common natural hair dyes include henna, black walnut |
| between regular hair dye usage and the development | | | | hulls, sage, black tea and rhubarb. Using these |
| of disease. One study, published in the International | | | | materials, you can create almost any color you want |
| Journal of Cancer, found that individuals who dye their | | | | from red to deep black and everything in between, |
| hair once per month or more for over a year have | | | | and you can do it without damaging your hair or scalp. |
| twice the chance of developing bladder cancer than | | | | If making your own natural hair dye doesn't appeal to |
| those who do not dye. Users for more than 15 years | | | | you, there are several natural hair dying kits on the |
| increase their risk up to three times. It's grim but true, | | | | market. Be careful, however, as sometimes products |
| and this is only the beginning... | | | | are labeled "natural" when they still contain loads of |
| In a famous Yale University Study, it was found that | | | | chemicals. Always read the ingredient list and don't be |
| lifetime users of dark-colored hair dyes increased their | | | | fooled by slick marketing tricks. For the best results, |
| risk of developing Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Most of | | | | check your local health food store and see what |
| them women in this study, however, began using hair | | | | brands they carry. If you want to use henna, always |
| color before 1980. While chemical hair dyes have | | | | use body art quality, especially if your hair was |
| definitely changed since this time, they still aren't | | | | previously dyed with chemicals. |
| completely safe. There have been numerous studies | | | | Always do your research (and don't just take my |
| linking the use of these products to diseases and | | | | word for it) before dying your hair with any type of |
| deadly cancers. | | | | dye. Make an informed decision for the benefit of your |
| Not only can chemical hair dyes produce serious health | | | | health. If you purchase natural or organic hair dye, or if |
| risks, they also damage the hair by penetrating the hair | | | | you make your own at home, you shouldn't have any |
| cuticle and damaging the strands from the inside out. | | | | problems. However, it's always recommended that |
| Hair that has been dyed with chemicals for long | | | | you test a small area of the hair before dying your |
| periods often appears dull and lifeless. This wouldn't | | | | entire head with natural hair dye. Because of its nature, |
| happen if natural dyes were used. | | | | the same results will not be had by everyone and you |
| Natural hair dyes, on the other hand, produce no | | | | want to make sure you like the color before you're |
| unwanted side effects and don't even penetrate the | | | | stuck with it. |