Many women have turned to henna as a natural alternative to their chemical-loaded synthetic hair dyes in recent years. Aside from its staining abilities, henna is also an excellent conditioner for hair. Even with its oodles of benefits, people aren’t fully aware of how this herb can be used to change hair color. In this article, we will be discussing everything you need to know about henna hair dyes.
Things You Should Know About Henna Hair Dye
1. It Restores Shine to Hair
If you’re someone that struggles with frizzy and brittle hair, henna is the perfect solution for you. Instead of penetrating the hair, henna creates a protective layer around your strands that makes coarse hair feel shiny and smooth.
2. It’s a Messy Process
While the henna application isn’t very different from that of your regular hair dyes, you can expect to make a massive mess out of it. This is because the mixture has a creamy consistency, and you have to apply an excessive amount of dye to ensure every strand is evenly covered.
3. It’s Organic
The best thing about henna is that it is safe from harsh chemicals and loaded with nature’s goodness. You can apply henna to your hair as often as you like as it has no side effects on the hair.
4. It’s Damage-Proof
Henna is loaded with vitamins and minerals needed to keep your hair healthy and smooth. It poses no threat to your hair and helps to revitalize weak and damaged hair.
5. Grey Hair Coverage
Premature greying of hair requires constant touchups, and henna is the best dye for that purpose. It locks the color into the strands and makes your hair look flawless for up to 4 weeks.
6. It is Harmful to Previously Bleached Hair
Henna may cause a reaction if applied to previously bleached hair. We recommend you test henna on a small strand before applying it to the rest of your hair.
7. Red Henna Retains its Color
If you’re sold on keeping your hair red, we highly recommend using red henna to dye your hair as it can retain the vibrancy of color longer than most chemical dyes.
8. It Needs Time
Henna requires a minimum of 2 hours to sit before you can wash it out. We recommend using henna on a weekend when you have enough time to let it develop its color.
9. It has a Distinct Smell
Henna has a distinct earthy smell, making it easy for people to differentiate between pure and chemically enhanced henna.
10. No Shampoo for 48 Hours
After you have dyed your hair with henna, it is advised to keep shampoos and other hair products away for at least two days.
Is Henna Beneficial for your Hair?
Aside from its dying properties, henna has been used for centuries by South Asian women as a hair growth supplement. This herb is loaded with lots of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for your hair.
Additionally, henna is also an excellent hair conditioner for frizzy and dry hair. Regular use of this product can revitalize your locks and make them look thicker and glossier within a few weeks. Here are some of the benefits you can reap with this ancient herb.
Hair Growth Booster
While henna has plenty of benefits for your hair, its ability to boost hair growth is everyone’s favorite. The secret behind our grandmothers having long and luscious hair lies in this herb. Many people struggle with thinning of hair due to clogged hair follicles. The application of henna helps to clean the scalp and revitalize dormant hair follicles.
For this purpose, we highly recommend incorporating this product into your hair care routine if you are trying to grow your hair out and want to see quick results. Additionally, henna contains many essential oils and nutrients that provide your hair with the nourishment to make them longer and stronger.
Protection from Pollutants
Henna hair dye creates a protective layer around your hair, strengthening the natural defenses of your strands. This robust layer of protection prevents harmful pollutants and toxins in the environment from damaging your hair. Additionally, henna also shields your hair against dangerous free radicals in the atmosphere and the hazardous UV rays emitted by the sun. If your hair has been damaged from exposure to heating tools and dust, you can use henna to restore and lock in the shine of your mane.
Hair Fall Solution
According to studies, about 70% of people suffer from excessive hair loss. The toxins in the atmosphere and our paraben-loaded shampoos and conditioners play a significant part in enhancing this issue.
Additionally, the lack of nutrition in our diet has also magnified the problem of hair loss. Henna is an all-nature antidote to fulfill your hair’s nutritional demands. Regular application of henna will eliminate excessive hair loss by making your hair stronger from the shaft.
Scalp Health
Sebum is a naturally occurring serum produced by the skin to regulate its pH levels and keep it moisturized. However, some people have an abnormal secretion of sebum which disrupts the natural pH levels and leads to a common scalp disease called dandruff. Dandruff can cause scaly patches and itchiness on the scalp.
A henna mask can help you fix this problem by removing the excessive build-up of dandruff and restoring the scalp’s pH to its normal levels. Henna is also very beneficial for people with oily scalps as it can inhibit the excessive production of sebum and allow your strands to retain their freshness.
Antifungal and Antibacterial
Aside from its mystical hair growth boosting abilities, henna also possesses excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties. This helps it fight off harmful pathogens and disease-causing bacteria trapped in the hair. Furthermore, henna has a cooling effect on the scalp, making it an ideal treatment for people who suffer from seasonal allergies.
Efficient and Effective Hair Dye
As mentioned above, henna has exceptional hair-dying properties. This makes it a practical alternative to your chemically-loaded synthetic hair dyes that have lots of side effects. Henna is packed with nature’s goodness which makes it very beneficial for your hair. Additionally, henna hair dyes are also significantly cost-efficient on your pocket.
Split End Repair
Split ends are a common occurrence in hair that is exposed to heating tools. However, with henna, you no longer have to worry about getting a haircut after every few months to get rid of the rough split ends. Regular application of henna on your strands helps repair split ends and prevents the issues from spreading further.
Hydrating Hair Conditioner
Most hair conditioners are packed with parabens which can make your hair dry. On the other hand, henna is filled with oodles of hydrating molecules that penetrate the hair and lock in the moisture. You can use henna as a hydrating conditioner for a glossier and refreshed look.
How to Lighten Your Hair with Henna?
If you’re wondering, “can henna lighten hair?” the answer is no. While henna possesses staining properties, it can only change the shade of your hair color to orange-red. The pigmentation in your hair will retain its consistency.
This is because henna forms a protective layer around the strands instead of penetrating the cortex and altering hair’s molecular structure like most synthetic dyes. This means that while henna can slightly lighten black or brown hair colors with a slight tint of reddish-brown, you cannot expect to go from a brunette to a blond with this dye.
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