Hair Dyes - Colouring of Hair

Another important aspect of hair glamour is hair colouring. There are two types of hair dyes -

• vegetable dyes and
• chemical dyes.

Vegetable Hair Dye Information and Facts

Vegetable Hair dyes have many disadvantages, such as:

(1) The exposure time of the dye on he hair is inconveniently long.
(2) Colouring, obtained is unattractive.
(3) They are not water-proof.

The vegetable products used for hair dye are henna, indigi, kohl, walnut bark, camomile, sage and red oak bark.

Dyeing Hair with Other Vegetable Products

The leaves of the indigo tree are crushed into a fine powder ,and used as a dye which gives the hair a blue-black colour. A mixture of henna and indigo powder is widely used. The colour obtained varies according to the proportion of the two elements in the mixture. Kohl powder is dissolved in water and applied to the hair with a brush. Years ago kohl was used to blacken the eye lashes, but it has now been abandoned as it is not water-proof or tear-proof.

Mix walnut bark with a dilute ammonia solution (one part ammonia to two parts water) to make an extract. It gives the hair an attractive brown colour.

Comomile tea gives a golden tint to the hair but is not capable of covering up grey hair. Make an infusion of red oak bark and rinse your hair in it. It gives a lovely dark sheen to the hair.

If your hair is getting grey try darkening it with sage leaves. Make a strong 'infusion with the leaves by mixing about 4 tablespoons to one cup of water. Apply this water to the hair roots every day, and you will find a magic change after some days. When the desired colour is obtained use it once a week. The other way to use leaves is to mix the infusion with kaolin to make a paste. Apply this to the hair and leave it on for about half an hour, then wash it off. To increase the darkening effect mix in it tea instead of water.

Chemical Hair Dyes Information and Facts

These are mixtures of para (paraphenyle-ondiamine or paratoluendiamine), and some other chemicals (such as pyrogallol and resarcin). Hydrogen peroxide is also used in dyes to accelerate the oxidization of the hair. Chemical dye forms a kind of lacquer which settles on the cuticle or outer part of the hair and penetrates it. This lacquer does not reach the hair root.

Chemical hair dyes overcome all the disadvantages of the vegetable dyes, such as they require short exposure time on the hair, provide natural colour, are obtainable in many shades, and are water-proof or shampoo-proof. However, the biggest disldvantage of the chemical dyes is that they may have an adverse effect on some skins. The symptoms of such ill-effects are violent itching all over the scalp which starts soon after the dyeing or any time within 48 hours after dyeing. This is quickly followed by swelling of the scalp, the ears, the eyelids and also the face. Should such a misfortune happen to you, do not be too upset. The swelling will go down rapidly and the eczema is cured quite quickly if the correct treatment is given. You should immediately consult a dermatologist.

Remember, you should not, go on a chemical hair dye, if-
(a) You had an itching of the scalp at the time of the previous dye,
(b) You suffer from asthma,
(c) You have had or at present have eczema or urticaria on any part of your body,
(d) You suffer from kidney complaint,
(e) You have any sort of skin problem,
(f) You are pregnant,
(g) You have hair in bad condition and excessively dry,
(h) You are feeding a baby,
(i) You have menses.