If you want to color your hair, but are not comfortable using the dyes that are ammonia based there are a few alternatives.

Currently there is not an organic permanent hair dye that is made entirely without the following:

• Ammonia

• Peroxide

• p-Phenylenediamine

• diaminobenzene=AD

There are some eco friendly alternatives which contains less of these substances than the conventional brands. These alternatives promise to be effective without causing allergic reactions and other health related side effects. They are also easier on the environment.

A salon quality eco-friendly hair color contains a smaller amount of peroxide and ammonia, which makes it more environmentally friendly and healthier for your body. This hair dye is biodegradable. However it does contain low concentrations of peroxide and p-Phenylenediamine. This type of hair color and use flax and soy as its base and it uses natural and organic ingredients like:

• lecithin

• natural antioxidants

• vitamin E

• vitamin C

• nettles

• rosemary

• flower essence

• grapefruit seed extract

• Rosemary

• Walnut husk

Temporary organic hair colors are able to color hair without any harsh chemicals but the color will only last through a few washes. One of the oldest and most well known ingredients for temporary hair color is henna. Henna is made from the leaves of a desert shrub, Lawsonia Inermis, which grows in north Africa and the near east.

Henna has been used to color skin and hair for thousands of years. The ground up leaves of the henna plant make a green powder. When made into a paste using hot water. When using Henna the amount of color depends on length of time it is left in the hair and also how often it is re applied. It is not hard to change the color shades in a henna dye. For instance if you add a brew from roasted tea leaves it would give the color a rich brown color.

Due to recent studies people who are worried about the chemical based hair dyes they use have been given new reasons to switch to more gentle alternatives. In a1994 National Cancer Institute report it is stated that deep-colored dyes, used over long lengths of time, seems to increase the risk of cancers such as non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma.A study done in 2001 by the International Journal of Cancer, found that people using permanent hair dyes are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as those who do not color their hair at all.

There are risks of allergic reactions associated to using henna and other plant dyes just as with using any product. Scalp dermatitis is a common side effect that can be very itchy and sometimes painful. You should always try a patch test on a small inconspicuous area of your skin to make sure you will not have a allergic reaction before using any product. It may take some time for a reaction to show so it is best to wait a couple of days before applying to your hair.

Always read the directions carefully and make sure that you understand them. Using organic hair dye is a better way to change the color of your hair.