While dyeing your hair in different colours can be fun, chemicals in regular hair dyes might harm your health. Hair dyeing products contain chemicals that at high exposures, have been linked to skin and respiratory problems, a suppressed immune system, and even cancer. But do you know you can still have a new hair colour without exposing yourself to the harsh chemicals? Here are some of the products you can use, writes Milliam Murigi 

Henna

Henna is the longest-lasting, most vibrant natural hair dye option. With it, you can dye your hair red or add dark pigments to your hair.

The colour can last as long as four to six weeks. To dye your hair, mix your powder with water, stir the mixture until it’s completely combined and feels like the consistency of mashed potatoes, cover the mixture with plastic wrap, and let it sit for about 12 hours before applying it.

Once you apply the mixture wrap your hair in plastic and let the colour develop at least two hours (and up to six) before washing it out.

Coffee

Beyond its stimulant qualities, the deep hues of cooled, brewed coffee can be used to darken your hair.

Though it doesn’t last long, it can hide gray hairs and roots for a few days, long enough to get to the hairdresser.

To make the most of the process, combine a half cup of coffee with a leave-in conditioner. Apply it to clean, damp hair, and let it sit for about an hour before rinsing.

Carrot Juice

Looking to give your hair an orange tint? Carrot juice can do the trick. The best thing about this product is that it will not only tint the hair, but also give it some extra vitamin A and C that will prevent dandruff and make the hair grow healthier.

Simply mix the juice with some coconut, olive, or avocado oil, (alternatively you can use leave-in conditioner) apply the mixture to the hair, wrap the hair in a plastic bag, and let it set for one to two hours.

Then rinse with apple cider vinegar so as to remove any leftover juice and oil, as well as provide your hair with a natural sheen.

Food colour

For people who want a more unnatural hair colour such as blue, green, purple, orange, bright red, and pink, you can use different food colours to achieve different shades.

Using a few drops of food colouring, make a dilution with either a glass of water or a half a cup of hair conditioner, but use more food colouring when using conditioner.

Then apply the mixture to the hair, cover with a plastic bag. Let it sit for about half an hour to an hour, and then rinse with cold water.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice can help strip your hair of its pigment slowly, lightening it over time. However, unlike the other methods, which achieve temporary colour changes, the results of using lemon juice are permanent.

The pigment on the portion of hair you apply lemon juice to will be gone. To use lemon juice, pour lemon juice into a spray bottle, spray the juice liberally onto your hair, use a comb to spread the juice evenly.

Leave the juice in for at least an hour before washing it out. For optimal results, sit outside in the sun after applying it.

Sage herb

This herb can deepen shades of brown hair, and can also help cover up gray hairs.

Steep between a half and one cup of dried sage in boiling water for at least 30 minutes (the longer you let it steep, the darker the tint could be), let the water cool and strain out the sage, on a clean dried hair pour the sage water over your hair for as long as possible then let the tint develop for at least 15 minutes before washing it out.

Chamomile tea

Another drink that can affect hair colour like coffee is chamomile tea, but instead of darkening it, the tea actually lightens hair.

When using chamomile flowers and not tea bags, let half a cup of them steep in boiling water for half an hour or until it is cool.

Strain the flowers and pour the mixture onto washed, towel-dried hair not less than 10 times. Wait for around 15 minutes before rinsing the hair.

Beetroot juice

If you want a deeper, purple-red tint, then beet juice can provide that to your hair.

In addition, beet juice is packed with vitamins and minerals and can improve overall hair health.

The process is similar to carrot juice. Mix with a fatty oil or leave-in conditioner, apply the mixture and wrap your hair in plastic, then let it sit for an hour before washing out.

Mustard oil

If you are worried about your hair’s premature graying, mustard oil is your saviour.

The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of mustard oil makes it an effective remedy to treat graying hair and maintaining the health of your scalp.

Carefully apply the mustard oil to your hair until it is well covered. Shampoo your hair, but do not condition it.

For the best outcome, repeat the procedure thrice a week, but do not continue if you feel any irritation.

Hibiscus flowers

Use this to add or accentuate red colours and highlights in your hair. The best thing about it is that it enhances colour more than completely changing it.

Also, it fades and washes out over a week or two so it is good for those not looking to make a big change or a big commitment.

It is most easily applied to the hair when you make a tea out of it and then apply it as a rinse. You can also add a pinch of paprika spice to enhance reddening effects.