I am a 69 year old woman with salt and pepper hair (leaning more to the pepper). I would like to color my hair but the last two times I have done so I had an allergic reaction to it. My scalp itched and one time it flaked after using. Is there any product I could use that I will not get a reaction to that is effective?
I understand Henna would work but have no idea where to buy it and really don't want to buy it online. I did buy Garnier Nutrisse but have not opened it yet. A woman standing near me when I was looking at the hair color suggested this one because it is gentler. But if someone has a better suggestion, I can return it.
By Elaine from IA
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Yes, you're going to want to use henna- Do not try to use the Garnier Nutrisse- it has the same chemicals in it that the others do, and if you're already having allergic reactions, be assured, it will only escalate from here. The scary part is, there's no way of knowing if the next time will be the one that literally kills you! (The ingredients in the dye are the kinds of toxins that humans have a worse reaction to, each time they're exposed to them, kind of like how a bee sting reaction can be suddenly fatal, the third time someone gets stung.)
OK, that being said- I use henna, and have for a couple of years now, and I would never use anything else! For excellent information on how to use henna (and other herbs, for variations in color), copy and paste this URL: www.hennaforhair.com/
As to where to get henna, you can get OK-quality henna products in pre-boxed form (kits) at health food stores- many carry Light Mountain Henna products, though there are a few others out there. Look for FRESH boxes, if you can. The other option: although you had said that you don't want to shop for henna and the like online, there is ONE place that I would recommend, and that is From Nature With Love ( their URL is www.fromnaturewithlove.com/
I am an INCHA Certified Natural Henna Artist- so you can trust me on this one! You'll find that mixing your own hair dye is not only safer, it's cheaper, and it will condition your hair beyond anything you will have thought possible. Really. Good luck, and if you have any questions about henna use, either for your hair, or for mehndi (temporary tatooing), feel free to contact me thru the site. :o)
Please do not be frightened that you could die from regular hair color on your scalp! There's just as much of a possibility of that happening as using Henna! Henna might be a natural product but people can be allergic to it too!
If you really have your heart set on coloring your hair then simply use a 'true non-invasive to the hair shaft' wash out temporary color like Roux Fanciful Rinse (you can purchase at Sally's Beauty Supply) or partially color your hair (whether man made color or henna) via a highlighting cap or color weaving where the color doesn't touch your scalp!
My experience with henna is that it is fine when your hair is its younger color...mine was light brown; but it doesn't transfer well when your hair is gray. A friend told me that I had orange hair. I agreed, though I wouldn't call it orange. Now, I was using natural henna from the health food store or from an Indian store.
If you're allergic to one, you'll probably react to most of them. Henna can turn your hair a weird orange and it doesn't wash out well. You might check with your local health food store; they may have something without the harsh ingredients. I'd go to a reputable salon before trying anything myself.
Although I have bought henna, I have never used it, because my other options work so well. I also have chemical sensitivities & I have used strong coffee for my greying temples (& you could use a warm coffee rinse). I have also read about using sage tea to color brunette hair. I have light brown/blonde hair and use colored shampoo - blonde + 1/2 red for me (plus red/blonde conditioner). There are also brunette shampoos out there (even John Frieda samples)- so you might try that to see what results that brings- (You have to sit with it under a shower cap for 10-15 mins.
Quote from Deeli: "Please to not be frightened that you could die from regular hair color on your scalp! There's just as much of a possibility of that happening as using Henna! Henna might be a natural product but people can be allergic to it too!"
I beg to differ. Allergies to natural henna are extremely rare. Most people who have reported reactions to henna have actually been using or exposed to what is called "black henna", which is made of (are you ready for this?) Black hair dye. The ingredient which causes these horrible burns, allergic reactions, lifelong health problems, and yes, DEATHS, is called PPD, which is the main dyeing ingredient in all commercial hair dyes, other than the purely herbal ones, such as Light Mountain. PPD's are derivatives of coal tar, and will cause heightened reactions with each use, once the user has exhibited a reaction to the product- this is why there are so many warnings both on the boxes, and in the directions- the producers of these dyes do so to avoid litigation! When buying henna, be sure to read the packaging- make sure that the product that you're buying is 100% natural- if it contains anything else (other than herbs, we're talking chemical components here!), do not buy it. That's where the danger lies.
For those of you who have had strange colors, as a result of henna- try mixing your coloring paste using a 50/50 mixture of lemon or orange juice (even pure cranberry juice will work- not the cocktail kind!) and water- whisk in enough henna powder to make it a yogurt-like consistency, and then seal away from air. (Easiest way to accomplish this is to mix it up in a rubbermaid or tupperware bowl, then put a lid on it.) Allow it to rest somewhere warmish, like the top of your refrigerator, for 12-24 hours, to allow the dye to release from the henna- you'll be able to tell, by scooping a bit off of the top of the paste- if the outside layer is brownish, but the paste underneath is green, it's ready. Apply the paste to your hair, and let it sit for at least 1 hour, or however long you would like (some folks leave theirs on for 8 or more hours- they sleep with the stuff on! I don't- 1 to 1.5 hours gives me a dark, lovely red, and I'm a natural ash blonde!) Then, rinse out as much as you can in the shower- once that 's been done, put conditioner in your hair, leave that on for a minute or two, and then rinse it all out. That should remove all of the henna paste. The initial color, in the first couple of hours, is NOT the color you will wind up with- it will darken and generally tone down a bit in the next 12 hours, so don't panic if it's too bright, at first! Then, do not wash your hair for a day, to maximize the henna's effects. While it may sound like a lot of work, with a few tweaks to your technique (example: I mix the paste in tupperware, and then decant the finished paste into a dollar-store ketchup bottle, to apply- and then freeze the leftover for the next time, right in the bottle! You can also add things like coffee or teas to your mixture, to alter the color), I think you will find that henna beats the heck out of the commercial stuff, hands-down- it doesn't burn, stink, or wreck your hair like the other stuff, and it's so much safer. I even do my eyebrows with it, and can do so with no fears of being hurt, maimed, or blinded- I'd like to see ANY of the other dye-makers out there make the same claim! ;o)
Below is a picture of me, with my henna'd hair- my natural color is light ash-blonde, with bits of grey in it. This is what pure, natural henna can, and does, do for me. As you can see, I'm a pale critter, and I have sensitive skin. Thanks to having developed an allergy to commercial hair dye, I was forced to learn about henna- and I will never look back! Good luck to you, and please, have a look at the Henna for Hair site- they might just save your life! :o)
Please don't spread unnecessary fear when you truly don't know all the facts and all the research!
jnci.oxfordjournals.org/
Please do read the 'henna for hair' link leopardstripes left in her original post which has sublinks one of which is: www.hennaforhair.com/
It explains how a temporary Henna tattoo can cause severe reactions to synthetic hair dye, among other substances, for the rest of your life.
For further understanding of PPD, which is in many materials used every day, please read this article:
dermnetnz.org/
Yes, well that is enough to see to decide I better grow old gracefully. My reaction was no where near that bad, just some itching of the scalp for about a week but the next time I might not be so lucky. Thank you for the information.
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