When did haircolor begin in ancient times?

Dr. dig responds:
People have used hair dyes and color for thousands of years. Just like some people today, they often went to incredible extremes to make themselves look "beautiful"...

Ancient Babylonian men dyed their long hair and beards black and crimped and curled them with curling irons. Ancient Persian noblemen stained their beards red, but the Celts and the Vikings bleached theirs using strong lye soap. In ancient Egypt, graying hair was considered highly unbecoming. The formula they used to restore natural hair color involved a generous application of the boiled blood of a black cat or bull, blended in oil then rubbed into the scalp using an appropriate magical incantation. A fashion among ancient Greek women was to dye their hair blue, then dust it with gold, white or red powder. Few Roman men and women were satisfied with their natural hair color. Some bleached their hair blonde or wore wigs made from the blonde hair of captive barbarians. Others darkened their hair with a dye made from leeches and vinegar. Roman charioteers sprinkled real gold glitter in their hair which flashed and glinted in the sun as they raced past the cheering crowds.