I'm not an expert on this subject, Mirah, but there is something to the fact that the chemicals we use to color our hair can and does have the potential to cause certain health effects like cancer. What that means for the average person is unknown. I think the greater risk is to the hair stylists who breathe the fumes all day.
I love eco-friendly products and buy them whenever I can, but I try not to be dogmatic about anything, and some chemical highlights every once in awhile never killed anyone--and probably never will.
If you can afford to pay a good stylist to do the highlights, I recommend it. I can usually tell when someone has colored their own hair versus when a professional has. But doing it yourself is also an option, and a much cheaper one at that.
I have colored my hair on and off. I can't afford to do it always, but I do enjoy it every so often for a change. It's amazing how you can really change your mood or personality with a new cut and color. I would recommend talking to a stylist you trust about what would look good on you.
