Hair Care: From Ancient Times to the Present Day

The importance attributed to hair by humankind has ancient origins. Since antiquity, hair has been a symbol of power, strength, and well-being, as well as an expression of the aesthetics of the time.

In ancient Mesopotamia, as in Egypt, hair was considered a symbol of social status. Those who neglected their hair were seen as wild creatures. The elaborate hairstyles of kings and high officials symbolized their rank; conversely, slaves had their hair cut or shaved completely: depriving an individual of a distinguishing feature like hair plunged them into anonymity.

For women, hairstyles indicated not only social standing but also their respectability. The first, clear distinction, besides the shape of the hairstyles, lay in whether or not the hair was covered. Married women, widows, underage daughters, and priestesses were required to cover their hair with a veil . This rule served to differentiate them from prostitutes, slaves, or concubines, who were required to go uncovered.

Gradually, hairstyles became simpler, and hair took on a different kind of importance. In the Middle Ages, in fact, it was considered a material extension of the soul, and therefore frequently used in rituals and magic potions. With the Renaissance, the canons of classical beauty returned to favor: usually very long hair with curls, gathered at the nape of the neck with ribbons or clips, or braided. Over the years, hairstyles became less of a symbol of social status, and instead represented the beauty and health of the person .

In the 20th century, hair care became a practice that united, more or less, all social classes, increasingly transforming itself into an expression not of a caste, but of one's own identity and individuality.

And what about the colors?

The history of hair dye also has origins lost in prehistory, when primitive women dyed their hair with yellow and red ochre. The Sumerians, as far back as 4,000 years ago, discovered the dyeing power of Lawsonia inermis (Henna), which was later used in Egypt, probably even by Cleopatra (despite her habitually wearing wigs with interwoven gold threads).

Ancient Greeks, on the other hand, used to dye their hair with a special solution made of saffron and potassium water. Greek and Roman men who wanted to hide gray hair used lead combs dipped in vinegar to darken it . Roman women also loved to dye their hair. The wealthiest even had a small salon in their homes.

For a long time, the most fashionable hair color was blue. After the Germanic invasions and the subsequent closer contact with the populations of Northern Europe, this was supplanted by blonde. The Renaissance marks the dominance of blonde, but a copper-blonde: it is the era of Titian's red, as evidenced by the many paintings depicting women of the time.

Then we come to more recent times, with technological advancements that allow for the creation of hair dye products that are easy to use even at home. Hair dyes thus become increasingly part of pop culture.

The 1980s saw the explosion of "crazy colors" thanks to the punk revolution, which led to hair dyeing becoming an aesthetic phenomenon for men as well.

In the 1990s, influenced by Grunge , the trend shifted towards deliberately messy-looking colors and the explosion of highlights.

In the Third Millennium, following fashion trends, hair coloring becomes fashionable and goes hand in hand with new bleaching techniques: shatush, balayage, and dégradé .

In recent years, however, there has been a growing trend towards a return to origins and respect for nature. We are rediscovering ancient knowledge which, combined with modern knowledge and technologies, can lead us towards truly green cosmetics.

Henna and other dyeing herbs are a rapidly growing phenomenon: more and more people are using plants at home, and more and more salons are approaching plant-based coloring in a serious and professional way.

This is not only because the results obtained are splendid in terms of color, but also because hair and skin benefit from them in terms of health. And let's not forget an increasingly important point: sustainability.

Love for nature, environmental protection, raw materials from ethical supply chains, respect for workers – this is the goal and the challenge of the new green era of cosmetics. Keeping up with the times today means respecting our bodies and the planet that sustains us!