Wash out those Grays the Earthy Way

It's difficult to say how many hair dye users suffer from allergic reactions, as most do not seek medical attention. However, there are many cases where allergic reactions to hair dyes have been severe or even fatal.

A severe form of allergic reaction is anaphylactic shock. When this occurs, the mouth and tongue swell and the airways constrict. Anaphylaxis can be rapidly fatal, and there have been isolated cases of hair dyes causing anaphylactic shock.  The chemicals found in different brands of hair dye are similar, but not exactly the same. Those that are intended to bleach and then dye hair blond do all contain alkaline hydrogen peroxide (very strong, effective bleach) in the developer that you mix with the color. Other chemicals that are common include ammonia (which is a gas with a distinctively strong, rather unpleasant odor) and resorcinol (a particularly harsh chemical that can irritate the skin). The colorant usually contains phenylenediamine.  These are the harsh chemicals that do a number on our scalps, expose us to potentially severe allergic reactions AND are being tested on rabbits normally..   Poor rabbits..  Pretty sad that so many animals have to endure that pain and irritation so that we feel better about ourselves.  Making sure you are buying cruelty free is extremely important!

Many studies have been conducted to try to determine whether long-term hair dye use causes cancer, and it is still a controversial subject. Most studies have focused on a possible increased risk of bladder cancer.  Some studies have found that women who had consistently used hair dye long term had higher levels, and other studies did not.   Although there is no solid link, you have to wonder …  If you are putting these chemicals  on your head, there almost has to be some sort of repercussion…

Insuring that you are safe from possible side effects, consumers should know the chemicals, so here is the rundown of chemicals and possible side effects:

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Household Products Database, L'Oreal's Open Haircolor has isoascorbic acid, polyglyceryl-4 oleyl ether, oleic acid, oleyl alcohol, phenyl methyl pyrazolone, sodium metabisulfite, fragrance/perfume, monoethanolamine (MEA), polyglyceryl-2 oleyl ether, resorcinol, water, trideceth-2 carboxamide MEA, pentasodium pentetate, 2-Amino-3-hydroxypyridine, ethanol/SD Alcohol 40, ammonium hydroxide, hexylene glycol, PEG-2 oleamine, ammonium acetate, sodium diethylaminopropyl cocoaspartamide, p-aminophenol and 2-methylresorcinol. These are all used in the colorant of the hair dye kit.

-http://www.ehow.com/about_5472358_loreal-hair-dye-ingredients.html

Umm I don’t know what most of those are but I know that a ton of them aren’t good, such as

4-chloro-o-phenylenediamine, as "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens."

1. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) - caused by direct contact with the hair dye. Characterized by itchiness and redness around the ears, neck, beard line and hairline.
2. Contact urticaria - swelling and redness of the eyelids, sneezing, wheezing, red patches over several areas of the body, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing
3. Anaphylactic shock - a life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by facial swelling, blood pressure plummeting, and gasping for air. Can result in death if help is not readily available.

Here is list of hair-dye substances banned in Europe, as listed in the Official Journal of the European Union

6-Methoxy-2,3-Pyridinediamine
2,3-Naphthalenediol
2,4-Diaminodiphenylamine
2,6-Bis(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-3,5-Pyridinediamine
2-Methoxymethyl-p-Aminophenol
4,5-Diamino-1-Methylpyrazole
4,5-Diamino-1-((4-Chlorophenyl)Methyl)-1H-Pyrazole Sulfate
4-Chloro-2-Aminophenol
4-Hydroxyindole

There are more keep in mind!!  See below link for more!!  But for now start familiarizing yourself, and make sure to choose dyes that do not include any of these ingredients..  There is a reason that these chemicals were banned, the fact that American companies are using them still is not surprising!!!  Cutting corners to make a profit....  Surprise surprise, using cheap dangerous chemicals instead of humanely tested natural ingredients who does that? ;)  That takes far to much time, and thought!!!! ;)  Geeeez..  Just further proves that we are a money driven unhealthy country, which is sad I mean I love the U.S.A but I just wish we could pull it back a tad and kick it old school for a while not draining natural, financial resources so much!  K stepping down from soap box.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/toxic-hair-dye-ingredients.html#ixzz1vH5enixD

Enough serious stuff on to the fun stuff, if you are like me and are going gray already at only 32 ;0)  I do realize the need to dye your hair..  I thought that I would just let the grays fly and bow out of my dark hair gracefully, but that just isn’t going to happen..  In the case of those dark times I look in the mirror and feel like I look way too old to feel this damn young ;) I rush to the nearest health food store and grab these natural dyes to get rid of that gray ;)   

Here are the products I have found that are natural, vegan, and non toxic… 

http://www.rainbowresearch.com/index.php?cPath=24&sort=2a&page=2

https://www.morroccomethod.com/

http://www.herbatint.co.uk/

http://www.suryabrasil.com/en/sgc.php?/ourhistory-18

From the packaging to the testing on animals, to the chemicals made and used for hair dyes one can see that it is anything but a green transaction.  But there are ways to make it not as bad on the earth, animals and your precious dome skin ;)…  My post is a reference to information I have gathered, for helping others that are like minded in finding information about topics...  Sometimes I rant about topics I feel I know a few things about, but I am a human that doesn't know it all!    If you have any questions, comments or anything to add I am all ears.. .  I have a thought that this is going to be a life long thing since my greys are here to stay so I am always interested in learning more…..  Tread lightly!!!