DIY natural permanent hair dye to turn hair from gray to black

This DIY hair dye is a natural alternative to the chemical dyes in stores, especially those containing PPD. PPD is found mostly in darker hair dyes. Unfortunately, many people have allergic reactions to PPD, sometimes even ending up in the hospital. This natural hair dye is not as quick. However, it works very well, but without the health risks. This hair dye involves 2 main ingredients: henna (aka stringy) and indigo powders. I will discuss 2 equally effective methods from which to choose based on your specific hair-dying needs.

METHOD 1 (3 steps). staggered activation processes of a) henna and then b) indigo > timed combination of the 2 pastes > only 1 cycle of applying to the hair & rinsing. 

Uses & benefits

• to change the color of a full head of gray hair to black
• quicker (than the alternative). NB This quicker method takes roughly 4 - 5 hours.

Considerations

• less cost-effective (than the alternative) if you only need to touch up a few gray sections, like new grow at the roots or the odd strand. After all, you will likely use far more indigo than your hair needs.

METHOD 2 (4 steps). activate the henna > cycle 1 of application to the hair & rinse > activate the indigo > cycle 2 of application & rinse  

Uses & benefits

• to touch up a few gray sections, like new growth at the roots or odd strands. The henna turns gray hair orange, making it easier to see where to apply the indigo powder if you want to target only those specific areas.

Considerations

• This method is overall more time-consuming. 

FAQs

Regarding the question of whether other methods exist, like combining the powders into a conditioning bar; such other methods that involve activating the powders long in advance are unlikely to retain the potency of the powders for long. The powders lose potency quickly, especially in the case of indigo which starts to degrade within only a few hours.

STEPS for both methods

Steps: Activate henna powder

1. Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo.
2. Combine the following ingredients
1. henna powder. Henna powder needs several hours of activation in water before having its effect. Alone, it turns gray hair orange.
• apx 2 tbsp henna per 6 inches of white hair may suffice to deep red 
2. a liquid from the following options. It should be enough to gradually transform the henna powder into a paste with the consistency of runny yogurt. Henna powder is sometimes nicknamed 'stringy powder' because, once there is sufficient liquid, the consistency is a little stretchy, like fresh aloe vera water.
1. water 
2. slightly acidic liquid. Acidity breaks down the dye molecule, thereby making it more readily available to the hair. Options include 
1. coffee, very concentrated brew
2. lemon juice, fresh or bottled
3. liquid conditioner because henna can be drying to the hair  /  red hibiscus flower tea. 
4. optional. a touch of oil for moisture.
3. Allow the paste to stand for at least 3 hours

Steps: Activate indigo powder

1. In a separate container, combine the following indigo ingredients. Then combine the indigo mixture with the  (henna) mixture above.

• indigo powder, from 2 to 6 times the amount in volume of the henna powder above. Indigo powder needs as little as 10-15 minutes to become activated in liquid. After it has been activated, it is ready to be applied. Apply it to slightly damp hair. When combined with henna powder, it turns hair black. NB. People who do not have gray hair but only want to darken their black hair can use indigo powder alone. Since indigo powder is like clay, it is harder to mix in water. Use a fork to mix with liquid.

• For hair to turn black

  • 1 part henna
  • 2 to 6 / 7 parts indigo

• water, warm (apx 40 C). Add the water very slowly because indigo paste is very fluid (quite unlike the viscous nature of henna). Use warm to hot water, never cold or steaming hot. The warmth helps to activate the dye release.
• Optional. brewed coffee (just a little to loosen up paste)
• salt, pinch (roughly 1/12 the volume of indigo powder). Some people say that salt helps to more readily release the indigo dye.
• Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes or a maximum of 30 minutes. Avoid stirring continuously. This is important to allow you to see when the indigo is ready. When the dye release has occurred, a dark top layer should form on top of the liquid. However, you should see the original green color if you pull back the top dark layer. 

Steps: Part 3 - Application 

1. Wash hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove oils, protein treatments, etc to improve color transferability. This step is helpful for opening up the hair cuticle to improve the chances of success.
2. Apply to washed hair with gloved hands. Be sure to wear old clothing (because this process can become messy). 
3. Leave uncovered 
• (combined paste) for 3 - 4 hours. Leaving the dye in beyond 4 hours is unlikely to make any difference.
• (henna paste only) for 3 - 4 hours. Leaving the dye in beyond 4 hours is unlikely to make any difference.
4. Rinse with only water. Use a conditioner as an option. However, do NOT shampoo at this point. 
5. For the method involving a second cycle of applying & rinsing with indigo, leave uncovered 
• (indigo-only application) for 1 hour. Leaving the dye in beyond 4 hours is unlikely to make any difference.
6. If the orange from the henna is the only color that remains, reapply indigo paste. If you notice a green cast from the indigo, let it be because it will darken over the next few hours.
7. When styling afterward, avoid heavy oil or deep conditioning treatments. Wait until about 5 days for the color to fix well before using these types of treatment.

CONTENT RELATED TO DIY NATURAL PERMANENT HAIR DYE TO TURN HAIR FROM GRAY TO BLACK

• Cleansing
• Aloe vera - cleansing conditioner / co-wash 
• okra - cleansing conditioner / co-wash 
• Growth & Strengthening
• Onion juice for hair growth 
• Un-fermented rice water for the hair (and skin)
• Fermented rice water by Hair Buddha
• Dying
• DIY natural permanent dye to turn hair from gray to black with henna and indigo powders

Hair Growth with Fermented Rice Water

Hair Growth with Fermented Rice Water

Fermented rice water has been known to promote rapid hair growth, strengthen hair from the roots, promote hair elasticity and lustre, prevents gray hair, prevents split ends and provides nutrients like proteins, minerals and vitamins. This simple 2 ingredient recipe is inspired by the Yao women of China who have an average length of 6 feet of healthy hair. The key component of fermented rice water is a substance (called inositol) that can remain and work in hair even after rinsing out. 

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Although you may  achieve results by simply boiling and using the rice water immediately afterwards, fermenting enhances the effectiveness, especially as it relates to lowering the pH level to better match the natural pH of your hair and providing additional nutrients. Fermented rice water has been used by persons of different hair types, ranging from curly / Afro / black hair to straight hair.

To make fermented rice water, you will need

• 1 part organic rice, white or brown
• 5 parts water for the fermentation process
• 1 day, 2 at most, especially in warm climates
• A cup for pouring
• A bowl for catching the poured rice water
• shower cap or plastic shopping bag that is large enough to contain your hair
• Optional: essential oils that promote hair growth like rosemary essential oil. If you are using the rice water on your face, lavender oil is a great example since it is great for both the skin and hair

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Here is how to make fermented rice water

• Rinse the rice, especially if you do not have organic rice
• As an option, boil the rice until the water becomes opaque. Boiling the rice water before fermentation seems to make it more potent.
• Leave the rice water to stand in an uncovered bowl at room temperature to ferment it slightly. The fermentation process should sour the water, thereby making it slightly more acidic and closer to the natural pH of the hair. In addition to the sourness, fermentation is apparent by bubbles that rise to the top of the liquid. In short, among other things, fermented rice water helps to restore your hair's natural pH. Although you can expect rice water fermentation to take 1 to 2 days, you can influence its speed by altering one or both of the following 2 factors. 
• Higher temperatures speed up fermentation of rice water. Consequently, fermentation may begin within shorter periods in warmer climates or warmer parts of your environment. 
• Leaving the rice in the water can speed up fermentation. However, it an option that is alternative to straining off the rice grains beforehand.
• As an option, boil the fermented rice water. People who skip and keep this second boiling option state that they enjoyed success as it relates to softness of the hair. However, there appears to be debate over whether boiling the fermented rice water reduces the nutritional quality of the rice water to a significant extent. I confess; I do not fully understand the science for this process and will be happy for comments. However, my understanding is that the apparent creators of this process used the second boiling to stop fermentation. Since they are a tribe that is unlikely to have refrigeration, I tend to agree with proponents against the second boiling who prefer refrigeration as the means of stopping the fermentation process.
• De-tangle your hair
• Ideally, your hair should be dry hair as this improves the absorption of the fermented rice water
• Dilute the fermented rice water with roughly 2.5 parts of water to 1 part rice water
• Lean your head over the bowl while pouring the rice water over your scalp and allowing the rice water to run through the length of your hair before settling in the bowl below. If your hair is sufficiently long, allow the ends of your hair to remain in the bowl so they could soak in the settling rice water.
• Massage the rice water through your hair and scalp. 
• Use the pouring cup to collect fermented rice water from the bowl. Pour that water over your hair as many times as you need to allow your entire scalp and hair to be soaked through.
• You may leave the fermented rice water in your hair as a leave-in conditioner. However, if you wish, you may rinse it out. 
• In the case of the latter, allow the fermented rice water to stand on your hair in a shower cap or even plastic shopping bag for roughly 20 minutes while massaging your scalp
• Wash your hair as usual with shampoo and conditioner. For instance, you can use my DIY aloe vera shampoo recipe 
• If you have hard water, fermented rice water can build up on your hair if you do not rinse it out thoroughly. Consequently, you can use a natural clarifier like apple juice or lime juice
• Use this fermented rice water repeatedly. For instance, most people do so with a frequency of once weekly
• You can store remaining fermented rice water for up to a week in the refrigerator. FYI, refrigeration can stop the fermentation process.

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CONTENT RELATED TO FERMENTED RICE WATER FOR HAIR GROWTH

• Cleansing
• Aloe vera - cleansing conditioner / co-wash 
• okra - cleansing conditioner / co-wash 
• Growth & Strengthening
• Onion juice for hair growth 
• Un-fermented rice water for the hair (and skin)
• Fermented rice water by Hair Buddha
• Dying
• DIY natural permanent dye to turn hair from gray to black

Hair Growth With Onion Juice

Onion juice promotes hair growth and, in some cases, even reverses hair loss. You can also use onion juice to protect against dandruff and scalp infection. These wonders are due in part to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties and ability to promote blood circulation. It is by virtue of this ability to promote scalp health that onion juice promotes hair growth, strong hair and reduces the incidence of thinning and hair loss in turn. Less common but noteworthy benefits of onion juice include the facts that it also fights against grey hair and prevents lice. 

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To prepare onion juice for hair growth, you will need:

• Onion. This is not a science so the quantity is not precise. I usually use a medium-sized onion. I heard white onions have more medicinal properties and tend to use those.
• Essential oils (Optional for promoting hair growth and counter acting the strong sulfuric odor of the onion juice)
• rosemary oil
• Juicing implements
• blender and strainer / cheesecloth or 
• juicer
• Scalp applicator bottle (If you do not have one, a squeezable ketchup or mayonnaise bottle will suffice) 
• A shower cap

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How to prepare onion juice for hair growth

• If you do not have a juicer, blend the onion (without water) until it assumes a pulp consistency. Then juice the onion pulp. Alternatively, if you have a juicer, simply process diced bits of onion.
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Place the onion juice into the scalp applicator. Discard the pith. The pith will be a good addition to your garden compost bin.

Partition your hair and squirt the juice directly onto the scalp. Massage the onion juice into your scalp. There is no need to apply over your hair. However, onion juice will not cause damage to your hair on contact.

Cover your head with a shower cap for at least one hour

You may store the remainder of the onion juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for roughly 2 to 3 days.

Thoroughly rinse out the onion and then wash your hair with a mild shampoo, preferably with a fragrance that can mask the scent of the onion. Essential oils, especially top note oils like lavender, rosemary and peppermint are ideal, not only for masking the smell of onion juice but also for promoting hair growth.

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Content related to onion juice for hair growth

• Wash out the onion juice with all natural pH balanced homemade aloe vera shampoo. You can add any of the top note essential oils noted above to the end of the instructions.