Me... (the "before" photo)
I’ve been wanting to stop dying my hair. I couldn’t think of a good reason why I was doing it, except, perhaps, for my vanity. And I was starting to feel sick after using dyes, especially after trying a “temporary” spray-on product for covering “roots” that I thought might help make the transition easier. Somehow, I thought that “temporary” meant it would be less harsh. But it was the product that made me most sick, likely since the chemicals weren’t washed off. Although I suppose I may just have been sensitive to something in it…
But there’s no question—hair dye is harsh stuff. It contains ingredients that are similar to those in coal tar. Two of the most suspect petroleum-based ingredients are p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and ethylenediamine. Check the ingredient list on the package or ask your hairdresser—likely one or both are listed. The instructions recommend doing a skin test 48 hours before you use the product, every time you use it, to make sure you aren’t going to react. However, I’d be surprised if very many women actually do this. I didn’t and I don’t imagine hairdressers ever do… There are only so many hours in a day, and only so much mess and inconvenience a person is willing to put up with. There is also a debate about testing—some have reported reactions after a non-reactive patch test, and it has been suggested the test may only serve to increase exposure to toxic dye ingredients.
Hair dyes are also banned for use on eyelashes and eyebrows, as they can cause severe eye irritation and blindness, even when used by professionals. Any colour product used near the eyes must be specially approved for this use.
According to a 2008 study done by Clairol, 75% of American women dye their hair. I was amazed when I read that. There are lots of men who do too—it’s estimated 11% between the ages of 50 and 64, although more are concerned about keeping their hair than the colour of what they have.
But why do we do it? Some want to have an exciting new look, find a more attractive colour or just have a little fun. But many do it to look younger by hiding the grey. I didn’t like the idea of having “salt” in my peppery hair and it seemed easy enough at first to just paint a little dye on the temples every few weeks. Societal pressure, I suppose…
Our society sends us many subtle hints that looking your age isn’t a good thing, especially after a certain age. It’s quite ridiculous, really. Does it matter what other people think of our hair colour? Or our age or how old we look? Do others even notice? Are we doing it for ourselves? Or has dyeing our hair simply become a routine in our society… part of the struggle to keep young that has nothing to do with being healthy.
In some cultures, older people are seen as a source of advice and wisdom. This makes so much sense. After all, there is no substitute for experience in many fields, and it takes time and age to acquire experience.
This holds true in our society certainly when considering men—picture the respected grey-haired judge or CEO of a large company. Hopefully now that we are seeing more women in positions of power, women with grey hair will command more respect than they have in the past. It’s a goal to work toward. Perhaps one day women and men will want to add a little grey as a physical sign of their knowledge and experience… Yeah, no… I’m just being funny…
But if you plan to dye your hair in spite of all this, here are some tips to increase safety:
Use a lighter colour (darker dyes contain more PPD)
Go for highlights or only cover the grey, if possible, to reduce scalp contact
Follow the directions. Don’t leave on longer than recommended (use a timer)
Look for no-PPD formulas
Go longer between colouring if possible: condition hair, wear a hat (sun fades colour) and avoid chlorine pools to protect colour from fading
Avoid during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester
Wash off product immediately and get medical assistance if any sign of an allergic reaction, especially dizziness, swelling or difficulty breathing
Meanwhile, increasing numbers of women I know are making a statement and going “natural”. And I will soon be joining them! Life will be easier without the hassle of messy hair dyes, and I’ll be exposed to one less toxic substance. I just hope it’s not too difficult to get through the transition!
So, here’s the plan. I have long hair that I am going to cut very short (always fun!) to decrease the time it takes to completely grow out. I’ve already gone 2 months without colouring my hair, so I have a head start—almost 2 centimeters (3/4 of an inch) already. Fortunately, most of my grey is at the temples, and this is part of the reason I’ve decided to do it now… while the top is mostly still my “younger” colour.
I considered using a temporary colour to start off, but they are difficult to find (as they probably don’t cover grey very well). And the spray I tried, as I described, didn’t work out at all for me. With my long hair, it’s been a while since I’ve gone to a hair salon. I’m hoping my new hairdresser will have some great ideas for a style that will look nice during the transition. And I’ve found a few ideas by looking on hair style websites—hopefully some that will look good with “salt and pepper” hair. I plan to post pics of how it goes… and I guess I’ll have to change my profile photo too!
Women I know have done this without too much trauma, so I guess I can do it too! Have you thought of “going natural” or have you done it already? And, guys, what’s your opinion on all this? Leave a comment on Facebook, LinkedIn or email a comment!
References:
To dye or not to dye—Emerita
US Food and Drug Administration—Hair dyes
Health Canada—Hair dyes
Eight Rules for Safer Hair Color—Goop.com
