What is Henna Hair Dye?

Henna hair dye is, put simply, dye for your hair that’s made from henna!

So What is Henna?

Henna, also known as Lawsonia Inermis, is derived from a shrub-like tree. It is cultivated in dry and hot climates. Henna hair dye has been used for 6,000 years to naturally color hair. It has been used and cultivated in Egypt, India, The Middle East, and Africa.

Henna has multiple usages such as dying leather, silk and wool. Henna has been regarded as a powerful and sacred plant; it has been utilized culturally and medically for a variety of ills. Henna has been known to have healing properties that cures headaches and wounds.

It has also been used for skin art and many have adorned their bodies with tattoos using Henna. Since the Bronze Age, henna was topically used to dye skin, hair and fingernails.

In some cultures, the flowers from the plant have been extracted to make perfume. This practice still continues in places such as India. Henna has even been applied to people’s bodies to prevent and get rid of their body odor!

Where to Get Henna Hair Dye

Henna hair dye (or henna hair color) is becoming very popular. However, not all henna hair dyes are made equally. Some companies add harsh metals and toxins to henna hair coloring which is very misleading to those who wish to dye their hair naturally! I’ve discovered that Morrocco Method International has the best available henna hair dye since it is formulated with the purest form of henna and they do not use any chemicals within their product.

Why choose Henna Hair Dye?

Henna hair dye or henna hair color is healthier for your hair because it is a chemical free hair dye that isn’t petroleum or synthetically based. Also, when you purchase chemical based hair dyes at the store or when you get your hair chemically treated at a salon you are exposed to a handful of harmful chemicals. The smell is often potent enough to make anyone faint…so imagine what you are breathing in when you are chemically treating your hair? Or imagine all the chemicals that are being absorbed into your scalp?

The Benefits of Using Henna Hair Dye

The benefit of using henna hair color is there is no peroxide and it is an ammonia free hair dye that doesn’t damage your hair. Chemical based hair dyes often cause irritation and are harmful to the hair often leaving hair dull and dry. Chemical hair dyes get right at the cuticle of the hair which makes the hair weak and susceptible to breakage.

Henna hair color, however, does not penetrate into the hair cuticle like petroleum or synthetic based hair dyes. Henna hair dye gives a very beautiful color to your hair without damaging your hair or health. It is safer for your hair since it does not contain peroxide, petroleum, resorcinol, or ammonia and other potential hazardous chemicals which many be carcinogenic in nature and cause many other health issues.

Henna hair color is not permanent, however: it will fade over time but it will look natural and looks better than hair that is chemically dyed.

Chemical Hair Dyes — AVOID!

Things to be wary about if you consider treating your hair chemically…

Chemicals in hair dyes can cause scalp disorder, dermatitis, and cause skin irritation. Some people claim that the risk of developing breast cancer and bladder cancer is high for those who work in salons because of the repeated exposure to the chemicals.

Chemicals in hair dyes are toxic to the immune system, impact the respiratory system and are known to cause physical changes in the body. Resorcinol, a chemical found in hair dye, is an inexpensive additive that is used along with other chemicals as a coloring agent in many hair dyes. Resorcinol is an endocrine disruptor, and its side effects can include: breathing changes, weakness, nausea, vomiting and enlargement of thyroid.

Another harmful substance used in hair dyes is p-phenylenediamine; also known as PPD.

PPD is Not Your Friend

P-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a petrochemical substance that can cause skin infections and cause severe swelling of the face. PPD makes the color set and gives lasting color to the hair even after multiple washings.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Other Nasties

Hydrogen peroxide helps with the coloring process and provides lasting color. It is very damaging to the skin and hair. It helps lighten the hair or helps open the hair cuticle so the dye can penetrate the hair. Hydrogen peroxide is very rough on the hair and causes brittle and dry hair.

Lead acetate is a color additive and is used in some hair dyes. Lead Acetate is a carcinogenic substance and it can lead to reproductive issues for those who frequently use hair dyes on a continual basis. Lead Acetate was widely used in the past, especially to cover grey hair. Lead Acetate is currently banned by Canada and the European Union.

It has been speculated that people are also at greater risk for developing non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma and Leukemia when exposed to chemicals in hair dyes.

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