Hair dying is a popular trend and may not seem like a big deal. However, if it ever crosses your mind to change your hair color, know that there’s a right way to do it without damaging your hair. Most hair dyes are made from chemicals that often have unpredictable side effects, that’s why natural alternatives like Henna are usually recommended. Wondering what’s Henna? Henna is a beauty product or ingredient that’s often used to permanently dye the hair or draw temporary tattoos on the skin. If you’re looking for natural alternatives to convention hair dyes, henna is a great option to start with. Read on to find out more about henna for hair.
What is Henna?
Many people who are familiar with a natural beauty product, especially Indian beauty products, would probably know henna and its use. However, if this is your first time hearing about it and you’re wondering; what is henna? And how do you use henna for hair?
Well, henna (Lawsonia inermis) is an evergreen flowering plant whose leaves contain a natural and effective coloring pigment called “Lawsone”. Henna is used to dye hair, wool, and leather. Women, especially in India, often use henna to draw temporary tattoos on their bodies or skin.
Although history has it that henna originated from Egypt, henna for hair and skin beautification is an integral part of Indian beauty culture or tradition, dating back several centuries. In the Indian tradition, mehndi – the art of tattooing your body with henna – is believed to bring prosperity, goodness, love, peace, and protection. That’s why it is a common sight in most traditional Indian wedding ceremonies.
Varieties of Henna
There are three varieties of henna dye which are; natural henna, black henna, and neutral henna
Natural Henna – The natural henna, also known as the red henna is the pure form and it’s gotten exclusively from the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis). The red or natural henna produces a rich-brown coloration that darkens with time after it’s applied.
This is the true henna and it is the one you should apply to your hair if you want to dye your hair naturally without side effects.
Black Henna – This is a variety of henna that is derived from indigo rather than the henna plant. The black henna contains chemicals like PPD (para-phenylenediamine) and other unlisted dye ingredients. PPD is a very effective black dye but often has side effects and may cause serious allergic reactions in some people.
We recommend indigo powder if you want to dye your black rather than the red color from natural henna.
Neutral Henna – This is derived from a plant known as Senna Italica and not the natural henna plant… and as the name implies, it does not give any color to your hair or skin.
You can use it instead of the natural henna if you want to condition your hair naturally without dying.
Benefits of Using Henna for Hair
Henna is a very versatile hair ingredient and can be used for several things related to hair health. Because, aside from being a natural hair dye ingredient, it offers several other benefits to the hair.
1. Helps to Maintain Scalp Health
Henna is known to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties which help in maintaining proper scalp health. These characteristics of Henna helps to fight against various scalp conditions such as itchiness and dandruff.
2. Hair Strengthening and Repair
Henna contains several nutrients that help to nourish and strengthen the hair while also repairing hair damages. This nutrient helps to seal hair cuticles to make them stronger, resulting in more lustrous hair locks.
3. Promote Hair Growth
One of the main benefits of Henna is to promote hair growth… and that it does exponentially. The powdered form of Henna is also used in making essential oils for hair growth and nourishment.
4. Hair Conditioning
Henna is an excellent conditioner when combined with eggs or other hair hydrating ingredients. Simply apply the Henna hair pack to your hair for a short period and it will make your hair feel smooth and silky for several days.
5. Reduces Hair Fall
Henna helps to improve the health of hair follicles, thereby preventing hair falls, and correct hair thinning.
6. Prevention and Cure of Dandruff
Henna helps to remove dirt and excess geese from your scalp, including dandruff and hair problems. Henna does not only cure hair problems, but it also prevents them from coming back.
7. Acts as a Natural Hair Dye
One of the most important and popular uses of Henna is hair dying. Not only is Henna a great alternative to the chemically made ones in the market, but it is also healthier and friendlier to your hair and wallet respectively.
8. Helps to Balance Hair pH and Oil Production
Another important benefit of Henna is to calm down overactive sebaceous glands, thereby controlling oil synthesis in the process. It also helps to restore the pH balance of the scalp to its original level.
9. Hair and Scalp Nourishment
Henna has some properties that provide natural nourishment to your hair and scalp. This nourishment helps to convert damaged, dry and unhealthy hair into shiny, soft, and healthy ones.
10. Helps to Repair Split Ends
Splits ends are mostly found in dry and damaged hairs, which is why such hair off is not enough. To prevent reoccurrence, you need to break the vicious cycle that causes split ends, and that’s where Henna comes in. Henna deeply nourishes and conditions your hair, such that it cures all your hair problems and also prevents the reoccurrence of such.
How to Apply Henna on Your Hair
Once you have your 100% organic henna hair pack recipe, the next thing is to apply it to your hair…and the steps listed here below will teach you exactly how to do that:
- Before applying the henna to your hair, wash it thoroughly with a mild shampoo to remove dirt and rid it of any inorganic hair product(s).
- Wear a glove to protect your hand and nails and put on clothes you don’t mind being permanently stained. Apply some petroleum jelly or water-resistant balm on your forehead, ears, neck, and other parts near your hairline to prevent staining.
- Comb your hair thoroughly and part it in the center to rid it of all tangles. Take a small section of hair (about ¼ to 2 inches wide) beginning at the topmost layer and gently apply the henna paste from the scalp and move it towards the hair tips using a brush. Do this until the entire scalp and all sections of the hair are completely covered.
- Work the henna gently into the scalp and re-apply to parts of the hair where you think are not well covered with the henna. As you move across the hair sections, you can twist into a bun or gather the entire hair and fold it on your head.
- Once the henna is evenly spread across the hair sections and you’ve packed them into a single or multiple folds, then, cover your hair with a plastic wrap to keep henna moist and warm.
- Leave it on for about 1 to 12 hours, depending on how dark you want your hair to be.
- To rinse off the henna, gently pour water over the hair and wash slowly but thoroughly with your hand or a scalp massager comb. You can use a little sulfate-free conditioner to soften the hair and remove the remaining henna. Finally, rinse the hair with warm or cold water.
- Allow the freshly hennaed hair to dry naturally and do not wash for at least 12 hours. Then, wash with shampoo, rinse with clean water, dry and style your hair as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions on Henna for Hair
Is Henna Good for Your Hair?
Henna, when used naturally is very good for the hair and can make it thicker, shinier, stronger, and generally healthier. Aside from being an excellent dye and hair conditioner, Henna helps to restore the pH balance of the scalp and hair.
How Does Henna Work?
As mentioned earlier, henna contains a coloring pigment (Lawsone) which is released as a red/orange dye when the leaves are crushed or ground. Henna in its powdered form is usually activated with air and water.
The Lawsone dye released from the leaves permanently colors the hair and temporarily tattoos the body. It does this by binding safely to the protein molecules of the hair and skin.
The color darkens as it is absorbed deeper into the skin and hair, eventually maxing out in about 48 hours and can last for several weeks.
How Long Does Henna Stay In Your Hair?
Henna permanently colors the hair and can last for about 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your hair type and color. One thing to always keep in mind is that once applied, henna is quite difficult to lift out of the hair.
Therefore, you may have some difficulty changing your hair color to a lighter one after dying it initially with henna.
Does Henna Have a Side Effect?
Henna is considered safe for adults when used naturally on the skin or hair without any additional chemicals. Side effects like itching, swelling, dermatitis, burning, redness, broken skin or scaling may occur when henna is used alongside chemicals. Although rare, allergic reactions like wheezing, runny nose, asthma, and hives may also result from using henna.
Final Thoughts
Using henna for hair is a practice that has been in existence for centuries and is still very relevant to date. The reason for the popular adoption of this natural beauty ingredient is majorly down to its many beneficial properties and positive effect on the hair.
We hope you’ve learned enough about henna and won’t be scared to try it out when next you think of changing your hair color?