Have you ever coloured your hair at the salon or even at home, and now, you’re disappointed with how it looks and feels? I have a great solution for you to consider.
Hair colour is due to the pigmentation of hair follicles by two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Usually, if more eumelanin is present, the colour of the hair is darker; if less eumelanin is present, the hair is lighter.
There’s a link between age and the presence of eumelanin. You can see this with children’s hair, as it often gradually darkens, as they grow older. Of course, we can also see this effect as people age, and hair colour typically turns grey, and then white.
Hair colour can be altered by a chemical process. Changing the look of your hair is fun! No wonder people do it regularly. It can let you express your personality, cover up grey hair, provide a relaxing spa-like experience and give you a boost of confidence.
The problem is, that over time, common chemical dyes can make hair dry and brittle by damaging the hair structure itself. Some people experience scalp irritation, rashes, asthma, severe allergic reaction and frequent contact with some of these chemicals may even increase risk of getting cancer, according to some studies.
There are potentially harmful chemicals in several hair dyes, such as Quaternium-15, Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and Phenylenediamine (PPD).
What should we do to avoid health risks while still improving the look and condition of your hair? It’s time to consider an ancient method, one that has been around for thousands of years, colouring hair with henna, indigo and other herbs.
Start by finding the right product with the shade that appeals to you. Prepare your mixture according to the instructions included. Carefully apply the mixture on shampooed hair.
Henna can also stain your clothes and some bathroom surfaces. It’s a good idea to protect your hands with gloves and to apply Vaseline around your hair line before applying the mixture.
Cover and wait for up to 4 hours. Once complete, rinse off the mixture with water. When the colour fades after a few weeks, simply repeat the process.
The great thing about henna is that with time, your hair actually becomes healthier, shinier and more manageable. It’s important to remember that applying henna can be messy the first time, but gets a lot easier after you’ve done it a few times.
It also has a strong grassy smell, almost like a freshly cut lawn. A couple of washes with a gentle shampoo removes it completely. Using henna for colouring your hair is great as a long term strategy, both for your beauty and your health.
There is another option that more and more people have begun to adopt: it’s ageing gracefully. By accepting and loving your changing body as it is; instead of colouring your hair, consider a fresh, youthful haircut that fits your features and lifestyle.
Many people find freedom and happiness in simply being themselves and evolving naturally over time, instead of stressing out about age and desperately resisting the process. Living a more authentic life can allow us to embrace the beauty within and focus on what truly matters in life.
No matter what option you choose, you can always adopt a few simple habits to improve the health of your hair. Don’t wash your hair too often. That’s advice that you may have heard before, but even 3-4 times a week can be too much.
Avoid washing and rinsing your hair with hot water, it can be damaging for your hair and your scalp. Choose warm or cool water instead and your entire head will thank you for it.
Heat should be avoided as a general rule. Find the time to dry your hair naturally instead of using the blowdryer. Explore styling options and haircuts that don’t require hot tools or harmful chemicals.
Avoid too much exposure to sun, cold winter weather and chlorinated swimming pool. The new “salt” type swimming pools also introduce an issue more common in warmer climates, that is, salt! It’s important to remember to rinse off with freshwater after swimming in a saltwater pool.
A really fun and useful project is to make your own hair masks. It’s surprising what useful ingredients are available right now in your kitchen.
Get the ends of your hair trimmed regularly. Having the ends of your hair trimmed, with sharp, professional shears, helps to avoid the dreaded “split” ends that can develop with over-treated hair.
Take care of your nutrition, because ultimately, healthy hair starts from within. Include a great variety of foods to meet your macro- and micronutrient needs and grow the best hair you can.
I have to confess that once you’ve tried henna and appreciated the results yourself, you might never go back to a salon again! I also hope that my tips can be useful to you.
Elena INSPIRE HEALTH
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