Tressed out from all the news

It is amazing how the world works...truly what you put out there, you get back! Yesterday, I did a post on Pittsburgh and today I intended to continue our discussion on hair and look what popped in the news:

This is Pittsbugh Steeler, Troy Polamalu who just got his hair insured for a million dollars. I have never seen him sans helmet. How does he get the helmet on?? My goodness, most of us would beg for 1/4 of that gorgeous flowing hair. Anyway, I bet it never occured to him to question the ingredients in the shampoo line (Head and Shoulders) that is insuring his locks. I think that is where a lot of people are. The whole toxicity issue has grown into a "Third Wave" and most of us are still on the learning curve.

My sweet, proactive friend SWH said as much yesterday. She hopes people will do something about everything they can before they have to!! Sounds like a great idea to me.

Meanwhile, I am still scouring through information on the hair issue. It is murky going. What I have learned is that dark dyes are the most hazard-laden and many companies' products are not yet available on the database and so it is wise to stick with the signers. At least they have agreed to be accountable!

And so, for now, stress about this is out but caution is in...a good thing. My grandmother still had very dark hair until she died in her nineties. She used to rinse her hair in tea, condition it with mayonnaise and "set" it (remember curlers?) with beer. It seems like she was ahead of the curve. Here are a few similar suggestions from Purdue University:

Natural DIY hair dyes:

Wash your hair with one of the following rinses. Pour the selected rinse through your hair 15 times, re-rinsing with the same liquid. On the final rinse, wring hair, and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing with clear water.

For Redheads: Make a strong tea of rosehips or cloves, or use strong black coffee.

Red highlights:

1/2 cup beet juice
1/2 cup carrot juice

Mix ingredients together, pour over damp hair. Let it sit for 1 hour while you sit in the sun. Wash out.

For Blondes: Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice in 1 gallon warm water.

Blonde Highlights:

1 cup lemon juice
3 cups chamomile tea (brewed and cooled)

Mix ingredients, pour over damp hair then let sit for an hour while you sit in the sun (with sunscreen elsewhere!); wash out. Follow with a good conditioner.

Note: This process must be repeated daily for a few weeks before you notice any changes.

For Brunettes: Rinse hair with a strong black tea, or black coffee.

Note: This process must be repeated daily for a few weeks before you notice any changes.

These sound fun and give "tea or coffee with a friend" new meaning! I am going to try that carrot juice!