Gray Hair Can Be Colored Naturally
Since gray hair is sometimes resistant to 'change', some folks prefer to take their chances with chemical hair dye. Unfortunately, many have suffered severe damage to their scalp and hair, even after years of chemical hair dye use (myself included). Choosing to ignore the warnings, some believe that ‘nothing will happen to me...I've been dying my hair for years.' Personally speaking, Lustrous Henna® has worked wonderfully for my resistant grays. It's a completely natural henna hair dye that's quick to apply when compared to traditional henna applications. It also comes in about 12 shades of natural color. I confess that sometimes I have to use a second application of Lustrous Henna® to get these stubborn grays completely black, but my hair looks great afterwards. The bonus is that I no longer worry about damaging my hair with chemical hair dye. Others are experiencing the same results by using a proven natural hair dye to color their hair.
Find instructions here.
Gray Hair Natural Causes
Melanin gives our hair its natural color. Melanin is spread into the middle layer of the hair shaft or cortex. The type of amount of melanin distributed give hair its natural color. Even though there are a vast variety of hair color shades, they are derived by only two types of pigment. Our hair color is made up of dark (eumelanin) and light (phaeomelanin).While in the womb, hair is white until the production of melanin quickly begins. Special pigment cells called melanocytes make up melanin. These cells are at the skin’s surface at the follicles from which hair grows. As hair develops, melanin (pigment) containing keratin is injected into the hair cells through the melanocytes. This process is what produces hair color in various hues. Keratin is protein that is essential for healthy hair, skin and nails.1
As we get older, our chance of going gray increases, as melanin decreases. When melanin (pigment) is reduced, our hair color turns gray. If we no longer have any melanin (pigment), our hair turns white.
Gray Hair –Other Causes
Age and genetics are not the only causes of gray hair. Scientists have determined that there are other factors that can cause gray hair and even accelerate its production. These factors can actually change the pigment of hair; causing it to be lighter or darker.Intrinsic factors: genetic defects, hormones, body distribution, age.Extrinsic factors: climate, pollutants, toxins, chemical exposure.
In 2009, scientists in Europe described how hair follicles produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. This chemical builds on the hair shafts, which can lead to a gradual loss of hair color.2
There you have it: for most of us, gray hair is simply caused by the natural cycle of life, our heredity and our environment. Either way, we can do something about it. Color our gray hair –naturally.
1Library of Congress. 2 Wood, J.M et al. Senile hair graying: H2O2 mediated oxidative stress affect human hair color by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair.FASEB Journal, v. 23, July 2009: 2065-2075.
©2010-2015. L.J. O'Neal. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Do not copy or reprint this article without the consent of the author or Saba Botanical of USA.
Want to view our website? Go to:Saba Botanical of USA
*Even though our herbal ingredients have been used in natural medicine for centuries, we must add the following disclaimer: The herbs, formulas, and recipes contained within this web site are not to be considered substitutes for proper medical and health care. As with any other medicine, if you are sick, you should consult a physician to find out if the herbal preparations listed here are right for you. Saba Botanical does not make any medical claims nor warranties regarding the use of the products listed on this site. No matter how natural a product is, it may have a potential of causing side effects and allergic reaction on certain individuals. You should consult your physician before taking any medication.
