Studies on herbal dye formulations

This study aims to investigate the performance of newly developed dye formulations with using different herbal extracts on various hair strands. For this purpose first of all, the water extracts were prepared either alone or combinations of various powdered leaves and flowers of dye yielding plants such as Orchanet root (A) (Alkanna tinctoria (L.), Walnut fruit pericarp (W) (Juglans regia L.), Black okra flower calyx (B) (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), Henna leaves (H) (Lawsonia inermis). These extracts were used to obtain different colors as natural colorants for hair strands. Natural and synthetic dyes performances on hair were assessed by various methods such as Light microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), measuring mechanical strength (by Instron® tester), formulation study and microbial safety test. Hair strands used in this study were obtained from volunteers who were in different age and gender. The obtained hairs were encoded as natural white, brown, blonde (NW, NB and NY), respectively. They were then treated with dye formulations and were encoded as brown, blonde, red hairs (SB, SY and SR), respectively. Finally, the reconstituted powder form of herbal dye formulation was developed with herbal extracts and their successful combinations. Natural hair dyes provided from herbal extracts were evaluated certain methods as described below. First of all, the extracts were performed to the hair and color changes were examined in certain periods of time (during 30 days). The cuticle layer of the hair was observed by light microscopy in order to compare synthetic and natural hair dyes for efficacy test. The coloring power and stability of dyes were examined by naked eye and light microscopy method after washing the hair with shampoo and drying at several times. The mechanical strength and elongation of treated or natural hair strands which applied dyes from certain plant extracts and synthetic dyes were evaluated by Instron® tensile test device. Superficial appearance and changes in the diameter of the dye treated or natural certain hair strands were also observed by SEM microscopy and taken their photos by camera. Finally, pharmacopeia microbial safety test (USP 30 - NF 25) was performed only to formulation of natural dye extracts. According to sterility results, all formulation of dye extracts met the requirement limit of microbial safety test. The most dramatic color change was observed the combination of Walnut fruit pericarp and Henna extracts (W+H) when apply to all hair type. The cuticle of synthetic dye applied hair (especially blond hair with treated synthetic dye (SY-2)) appeared damage. Our findings were also confirmed with SEM analysis. The resconstitutable powder natural dye formulation could be potentially efficient, safe new hair dye candidate for future.