FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NATURAL HAIR COLORANTS

Objective: Conventional methods of hair dyeing involve use of chemicals that result in unpleasant side effects which include irritation, breakage of hair, skin discoloration and cancer. Marketed hair colors containing crude plant powders require processing prior to use which is inconvenient to the consumer and these products also have poor rinsability. Hence, there is a need to formulate hair dyes containing crude drugs which are ready to use with good rinsability.Methods: In this study, gel formulations containing natural colorants like Lawsonia inermis, Emblica officinalis, Rubia cordifolia, Terminalia belerica and Juglans regia were prepared.Results: The results indicate that except henna extract, other plant extracts used in this study do not impart color to human hair. A combination of extracts prepared by cold and/or hot extraction methods did not give encouraging results, but a formulation containing a combination of the studied plant powders in 2% carbopol 934 gel shows promising results and does not produce skin irritation in rats.Conclusion: Thus, the formulated hair color gel being reported in addition to being consumer friendly is effective, stable and safe.Â