10 Easy Ways To Cover Gray Hair Without Dye

When you spot one grey hair on your head, you immediately think of one thing – hair dye. We don’t think about the side effects it may have on your hair. Hair dye? More like hair die!

Hair dye can be a cool thing to get attracted to. Once you start, you can never go back from it. It is a type of addiction, watching your hair transform; giving you a sense of youthfulness. Nevertheless, this boxed dye which makes you look young again will also ruin your hair in no time. Most chemical hair dyes contain ammonia which serves the purpose of breaking the hair cuticle and allows the color to deposit itself there. You can guess what that may do to your hair with prolonged usage. Some companies have suddenly started manufacturing “ammonia-free” hair dyes but did you know that the ingredient Monoethanolamine (MEA) used in these dyes to replace ammonia does the exact same thing to your hair! Peroxide-free hair dyes don’t break the cuticle hence the damage is less, however, the color fades away quicker and so the user has to reapply the dye more frequently, amounting to the same degree of damage.

Dyes contains an allergen calledparaphenyldiamine. By this, people who have dermatitis can have a severe reaction. People with eczema and psoriasis should avoid hair dyes. Not only this, but can also cause itching, skin irritation, redness, and swelling.Hair dyes contain persulfates which can aggravate asthma. Continuous inhalation of the chemicals can cause coughing, lung inflammation and even asthma attacks. It also has fatal effects on unborn children in pregnant ladies as it may cause malignancy. 

10 Easy Ways to Cover Grey Hair without Dye

Here we are listing 10 different easy alternatives to hair dye which cause no damage to your beautiful locks. 

1. Indigo Powder

Indigo and henna powder are two of the most effective and popular ways to dye your hair for longer durations without posing a threat to your hair.

• Mix the henna in the black tea to make a smooth paste. Add the lemon juice and mix. If you have dry hair, you can also add a teaspoon of coconut oil. The paste should not be too runny; it should resemble pudding. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave overnight.
• Ensure your hair is clean and dry before you begin; it should not be greasy. Gather all your materials.
• Apply a thick cream on your ears and along your hairline to prevent your skin from staining.
• Drape an old towel around your shoulders to protect your neck and your clothes. Put on gloves.
• Separate your hair into small sections and secure with a clip. Unpin one section and apply the henna with the brush, working from the root to the end.
• When done, pin up this section and move on to the next, till all sections are complete. Massage any leftover henna all over your head to ensure you don’t miss a spot.
• Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it for 4-5 hours. Wash off with plain water – do not use shampoo. Ensure all the henna has been thoroughly rinsed off. Dry hair naturally.
• The next day, when you’re ready to apply, mix the indigo powder in enough warm (not hot) water to get a smooth, thick paste. Add a teaspoon of salt and leave it for about half an hour. If it hardens after this time, loosen it up with a little warm water.
• Section the hair as done earlier, and apply the indigo paste to all sections. Cover the hair in a shower cap and leave for 2-3 hours.
• Wash off with cool, plain water – not shampoo. Dry your hair naturally.
• Wait for at least 2 days before oiling your hair and at least 3 days before shampooing it. This will help the dye stick. 

2. Bhringraj and Coconut Oil

Bhringraj oil contains active ingredients named – haritaki and Jatamansi, which are extremely beneficial in maintaining the natural color of hair and prevent premature greying. Regular use bhringraj oil with amla oil to prevent premature graying of hair.

• Bhringraj is an Ayurvedic herb that can slowly but steadily restore your natural color.
• Gently heat a mixture of 1 teaspoon of Bhringraj and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
• Rub the mixture all over the hair and wash off after one hour. 

3. Black Pepper

• Mix 1 tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice into ½ cup of plain yogurt.
• Apply the mixture all over hair, leave for an hour and rinse it out. 

4. Henna Powder

• Mix enough henna in a cup of black tea or coffee to make a paste.
• Let it sit overnight.
• Mix in some olive oil and apply all over the hair.
• Rinse off after you’ve got the color you want. Add in the indigo to get darker shades. 

You can experiment with indigo powder and henna in different ratios to get different shades of brown. Hair that’s prominently gray may require another application for complete coverage. Minimize heat styling to ensure more long-term coverage. When shampooing after dying your hair, it’s best to opt for natural shampoos and conditioners. 

5. Coffee

Coffee can be used to dye hair temporarily; it works best for light brown hair and isn't as effective for dark hair. It's a gentle and non-permanent dye but it can still cause stains, so care is needed when applying it.

• Brew a strong cup of dark-roast coffee.
• Mix about 1/2 cup of coffee with 2 tbsp. of coffee grounds and 1 cup of leave-in hair conditioner.
• Apply the mixture to clean, damp hair.
• Let the mixture set for at least an hour, and wash it out when you're done.
• Repeat if necessary. 

6. Carrot Juice Treatment

If you are looking for a reddish-orange tint to your hair then carrot juice treatment is the way to go.

• Mix carrot juice with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil.
• Apply the mixture liberally to your hair.
• Wrap your hair in plastic, and let the mixture set at least an hour.
• Rinse with apple cider vinegar. You can repeat this the next day if the color isn’t strong enough. 

7. Beet Juice Treatment

Using beet juice to dye your hair gives it a deeper red color with cooler undertones. Beet juice works best with a carrier oil and is also used as lip or cheek tint as natural make up.

• Mix beet juice with a carrier oil.
• Apply the mixture liberally to your hair, and then wrap your hair.
• Let the mixture set for at least an hour before washing it out. 

8. Dark Walnuts

Using walnuts—especially black walnuts—to dye hair works really well. This is a great homemade coloring technique. This technique is messier than some others, but it is very effective. Using black walnuts can darken your hair color drastically.

• Crush some walnut shells. The more shells you use, the darker and more concentrated your mixture will be. Alternatively, you could use walnut powder.
• Put the crushed shells or powder in a pot of water. Boil the pot for 30 minutes.
• Let the water cool down. You could place the pot in a refrigerator to cool it down quicker. It should be cool enough so you can touch the water without burning yourself.
• Pour the water into a container with the use of a strainer.
• Apply the tinted water to your hair. Use a tool like an applicator brush or a cotton ball to cover your hair.
• Let the tinted water sit in your hair for at least an hour. You can let it sit longer if you want your hair to be darker.
• Wash your hair, preferably with some lukewarm water. Hot water can take out some of your color. 

9. Amla Powder

Indian gooseberry is an herbal supplement recognized for reversing premature graying by promoting pigmentation. Its effectiveness is believed to be because the gooseberry is rich in antioxidants and anti-aging properties.

• Place two teaspoons of the powder in a bowl. Add in one teaspoon of coconut oil and one teaspoon of water, preferably hot water. Mix together until you get a smooth paste.
• Add three teaspoons of conditioner to the mix.
• Wet your hair and spread it out in sections. Spread the mixture in your hair. Make sure to evenly distribute the mix through your ends and roots.
• Put a shower cap on leave the mixture in your hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. 

10. Curry Leaves

Curry leaves are full of Vitamin B and help to restore the pigment melamine in the hair follicles and prevent further greying. It is a rich source of Beta-Keratin and also prevents hair fall. This home remedy does more than just prevent pesky greys.

• Boil equal parts of curry leaves and oil till the leaves turn black.
• Cool, strain and store.
• Massage into hair 2-3 times a week.
• Leave overnight and wash your hair with herbal shampoo. 

It is possible to darken your hair naturally without using any harsh chemicals or indulging in an expensive visit to the salon. The above-mentioned methods are all inexpensive and don’t burn a hole in your pocket. They are also all-natural, so the damage done to your hair is minimal in comparison to using harsh chemicals. Always be aware of what you put on your hair just like you keep a keen watch on what you put inside your body.

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