What Natural Hair Dye Experts Want You to Know

It makes sense that we would look at our hair colour with a critical (side) eye as we become more aware of what we put in and on our bodies. Is it possible to achieve the blondes, reds, and browns that nature has barred us from without the use of chemicals? Three experts were consulted, and we discovered that the solution might not be what you were hoping for. It turns out that using chemicals, like peroxide, is necessary to produce a dramatic, long-lasting alteration in hair colour. Melanin, the pigment that gives us skin colour, also gives our hair its colour, which is difficult to modify. Because lightening hair is difficult, bleach and other lighteners are needed to complete the task. Lemon juice can be used to naturally lighten fine, blond hair, though results may vary (more on that below). But it will do nothing for the rest of us, the brunettes and darker skin tones. You do, however, have a few options if you’re searching for temporary alterations that are more modest. For information on natural hair dye that can help you switch things up, even for a short time, we visited three hair colouring experts. “It can simply imply that some essential oil was added to the formula. There are numerous colouring products on the market that claim to be natural but are actually loaded with chemicals. Because they’re utilising less of what actually works, some of them are severely constrained in what they can do to the hair.” In conclusion, Labrecque advises consumers to be aware that the word “natural” on a product might refer to a variety of things. The product is mostly made of plants, includes additional “natural” ingredients, or has substituted less irritating chemicals.

How does hair dye work?

A few essential ingredients go into hair colour. According to David Stanko, master colorist and vice president of education for Madison Reed, the at-home hair colour, “if you want to lighten hair, cover grey, or change its tonality to something more auburn, golden, or coppery, you need a permanent hair colour that contains an alkali source and a dye system, which can be mixed with hydrogen peroxide to develop the colour.”

In other words: Chemicals are indeed required to both erase your natural hue and let colour enter.

However, you might want to wait before going out to get a spray bottle and a dozen lemons. Lemon juice is acidic and can cause dry hair even if it isn’t a “harsh chemical” or “toxic.” Be aware that this technique is heat activated if you decide to use it nonetheless. Apply it accordingly on a sunny day when you plan to spend at least 30 minutes outside. To avoid burning your hair dye , combine it with a natural component that moisturises hair, such as olive oil. Make sure to use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner when you wash your hair afterward. Lemon juice should not be consumed by people with brunette, dark brown, or black hair. According to Brown, not all organic dyes are 100 percent natural. She claims, “They are not chemical-free.” They “rely on botanical substances and naturally derived compounds,” despite the fact that chemicals are present. Henna is the only hair dye that is actually 100 percent natural, but even it has some major disadvantages. Because they contain metallic salts, henna-based dyes are “really extremely harsh on the hair,” according to Brown. So, natural doesn’t always equate to healthy. It’s possible that additional substances or additives could still be harmful to hair.