Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 7/30/2008

Question
my question pertains more to alternative medicine. i was hoping that you could tell me what i should take and how and when i should apply it. i've heard of some methods but i'm not sure what would be the best because it may take a while and deciding the best method may take years. i was hoping you could tell me the best and the most effective method . i have auburn hair with many very black strands already. black hair is in my gene pool as well as red and blonds. i am between the latter two and i was hoping that you might have some information on melanocyte synthesis manipulation or something. this is kind of a weak question but it is very important to me. i hope that the weakness of this question doesn't effect your answer for it. thank you a million fold. much appreciaed by any answer. just want something. and i have been trying Fo-Ti (Chinese herb to make grey hair turn black)

Answer
Hello Riley,
Thanks for your question.  There are some herbs that may have the effect of darkening hair, but it's not predictable enough to rely on.  Any herbal rinse would only last until it's washed away.  In most instances, that might take one wash, or with henna, an herb used as a hair dye, it lasts 4 or more weeks, depending on how frequently you wash you hair.  
I do not know of any particular techniques to internally manipulate hair color.  If there are ways out there, they are not well known or have been studied extensively.  
If you want to avoid harsh chemical dyes, there are better options out there now, that are less toxic and made from more natural and/ or organic ingredients.  These will often include henna & other herbal extracts.  Brands such as Herbatint, Naturtint, or Tints of Nature are available at health food stores or via internet stores.  Of course these are only temporary but it is a nice alternative to conventional hair colorings.  
In health,
Dr Conner