50 Shades of Blue Hair
Why have humans been dyeing their hair blue for thousands of years?
Blue hair dye is nothing new. In fact, it’s been around for thousands of years—you can find evidence of blue-hued hair in ancient cultures like Egypt and Greece as well as in historical accounts from the Anishinaabe and other Native American tribes. In addition to these cultures, you’ll also find examples of blue-haired Vikings (they thought it looked cool), ancient Greeks (they thought it looked good on their gods), and plenty more examples across many different times and places.
What are the risks associated with blue hair dye and other health dangers associated with human hair?
- Human hair is not meant to be dyed.
- When you dye your hair, the dye flows through your skin and into your bloodstream. This can cause allergic reactions and other health complications.
- Hair dyes are toxic: they include ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and petroleum distillates. These chemicals can cause cancer or liver damage when they enter the body via the skin.
- Blue hair dye has a particularly strong chemical smell that can irritate sensitive noses—and even more serious effects on people with respiratory problems like asthma or emphysema!
Why did Anishinaabe people historically dye their hair blue?
Blue hair dye was historically used by the Anishinaabe people, who are also known as Ojibwe or Chippewa. In their culture, blue dye on their hair was a sign of masculinity and strength, while red was worn by women.
It’s believed that indigo (the natural dye used in blue hair) has been used to color hair by various cultures throughout time—including the ancient Egyptians, Norse Vikings and Native Americans.
Indigo is an effective natural dye that can help camouflage hunters against animals they’re hunting, as well as ward off evil spirits!
Is there anything you can do to mitigate the risk of dying your hair blue besides not doing it at all?
- Use pure indigo dye and make sure it’s not synthetic.
- Natural henna is a safer choice than synthetic, but both should be used sparingly in small amounts.
- Leave the dye on for the minimum amount of time possible.
- If you must use hair dye, use as little as possible of the most natural product you can find—you’ll save money this way and reduce your risk of irreversible damage to your hair!
Don’t dye your hair blue unless you really want to, even if it’s a fad.
If you’re going to dye your hair blue, make sure it’s because you really want to. It’s not worth the risk. There are natural dyes that can be used instead of chemical ones, but they may not last as long or be as vibrant in color.
If you’re interested in dying your hair blue, know that there are ways to mitigate the risks of using a chemical dye without completely eliminating them—but it’ll still require some research and care on your part.