For the millions of women (and a few men too) who strive to hide their grays or enliven their natural color, regular hair treatments require lots of time and money. In most cases, they can also take a toll on your health.

According to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep report, many major hair coloring brands contain at least several chemicals that may increase the risk of cancer. A good expample? Garnier Nutrisse Level 3 Permanent Creme Haircolor contains p-phenylenedIamine and methylparaben among other toxins. If you get your hair colored in a salon, it's a good move to ask your stylist about the products he or she uses. Chances are fairly strong that they contain chemicals.

Toxins are not the only option for vibrant color. Henna is a pure, if somewhat limited, option. A member of the Lawsonia plant family, henna is usually dried and ground into a powder and then combined with hot water. It offers a few color options (mostly dark browns and reds) and doesn't cover gray or white hair sufficiently. But, henna is more than color. It also strengthens hair, keeps the scalp healthy, fights dandruff and hair loss, and makes your hair shiny.

Other natural coloring options including brands like EcoColors — whose slogan: “healing the planet, one head at a time,” really says it all — claim to be toxin-free. EcoColors uses lecithin, vitamin E, Vitamin C, nettles, rosemary, flower essence, and grapefruit seed extract in their color concoctions. Aubrey Organics' Color Me Natural has an impressively short ingredient list that includes indigofera tinctoria (true indigo), Lawsonia inermis, emblica officinalis (gooseberry), eclipta alba, and acacia cathechu.

Image: everydayhenna.com