Why are women so obsessed with dyeing their hair? And why is the predominant choice of colour blond? Why can't they be happy with their God-given hair colour? In a nation obsessed with youth and beauty, changing hair color is nearly as commonplace as changing clothes. Three out of every five North American women aged 18 to 55 now tint their locks. Hair dyes have to be one of the greatest items in retail sales. Companies get giant vats of industrial chemicals, divide them up into tiny portions worth a few cents, and sell them for 10 or 20 dollars. Commercial dye-makers sell over $7 billion dollars worth of hair dyes worldwide every year. That’s billions of bottles of industrial solvents treated as 'magic potions' when they are really hazardous waste. Hair dye is used for self-expression and artistic outlet - take the young things with purple, pink and blue highlights who would also never hesitate to throw some glitter onto their faces at the drop of a hat. The hair dye they use is like paint and they are the canvasses; whether or not they are true artists is somewhat beside the point. Other women simply color just to color - they like changing up their look. They can go from auburn to blonde to midnight vixen within a six-month time period and not even have to go to therapy for identity issues. I also wonder about all the chemicals in hair dyes and how they are polluting our precious water supply as millions of tons of the stuff are washed down sinks at hair salons, and at home, all in the sake of vanity. Not to mention inhaling the chemicals or have them soak into their scalps. Research has shown that the toxic ingredients in hair-dyes can be linked to cancer, developmentative and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, organ toxicity, not to mention allergies and irritation of the eyes, skin and lungs. The instructions warn not to breathe it, wear gloves, and don't get it on your skin. But somehow, on your head, next to your brain, is okay! So, if you still think that changing your hair color is imperative in making you look beautiful and increasing your self-confidence, then go ahead and have your hair dyed. Just make sure that you educate yourself and avoid permanent color, since it contains ingredients that are mostly toxic. You may also want to try alternative dyes that contain all-natural ingredients, such as hennas, vegetable and herbal dyes. Smarten up!!