NATURAL HAIR COLOR - HENNA

Henna (Scientific name: Lawsonia Inermis), has been used for nearly 6000 years to dye hair, nails and skin. It was commonly used in areas of India, the Middle East, and Africa for many centuries. Nowadays we get commercially packaged henna for use as a hair dye, is now. Commercially manufactured henna is mixed with herbs and perfumes during its manufacture to give it a pleasant fragrance.

How is henna obtained?

Henna colour is obtained from the leaves of the henna plant. The leaves are dried, milled and sifted. In order to activate Lawsonia, lemon juice or strong tea is added. The acidity of these liquids helps in the activation.

How does henna work on my hair?

Lawsonia binds to protein. When henna is applied to the hair, it binds itself to the keratin of the hair providing a coating to the hair cuticle. Unlike manufactured dyes, henna does not penetrate the hair. Each application of henna to the hair adds another coating of colour to the hair strand.

How will my hair look after I use Henna?

Dyeing hair with henna can result in colours ranging from auburn, to orange, to deep burgundy, chestnut brown or deep blue-black. Indigo is added to get a colour which is close to brown or black. The colour resulting depends on various factors like the freshness of the henna, origin of henna, time the henna is kept on the hair, drying time, heat retained during the drying process, frequency of usage.

 How can I use Henna?

Use this simple recipe at home to make a nice henna pack for your hair to give it that protective coating it needs. Take 2 cups of Henna powder, ½ cup amla powder, 2 tsp shikakai powder, 1 egg white, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried tulsi powder, 1 tsp Bhringraj powder and mix them together with tea or coffee decoction before you retire for the night. Spread this the next morning on your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap. Rinse off after 45 minutes.

For dandruff treatment, soak fenugreek seeds in curd overnight. In the morning, grind it in mixer.  Mix 1 tsp henna, the juice of 1 lemon and apply this mix to your scalp. After 45 minutes, rinse your hair with water. Do not use shampoo.

Essential oil with henna can be made by boiling gingelly oil (1/4 kg) till it gets heated. To this add henna powder (5 cups) and boil for 5 minutes. Cool the mixture and store in a glass container. This is very effective in treating hair fall, greying of hair and hair damage cause by pollution.

Why Henna?

Henna has many benefits other than being a natural hair colour. It results in smoother shinier hair with less tangling. It serves like a protein treatment, strengthening the hair and making it more resilient to damage and breakage. Henna is naturally antifungal and antibacterial making it effective in treatment of dandruff and scaly scalp. Regular usage of henna within a short space of time causes loosening and softening of curly, textured or coarse hair. Henna adds bounce, density and shine to fine, thin and limp hair. Its coat build hair structure and give you strong thicker strands.

Some precautions

Although a rare occurrence, in cases of impure henna or henna that has been mixed with leads and metals, you have allergic reaction to it. These could turn out to be very dangerous. It is always better to buy henna from a trusted retailer. 

Avoid henna usage in case of severe scalp infections and very dry hair. If you are using henna after hair damage by chemical creams, it is advisable to wait for 45-60 days to apply henna in order to allow the henna application to be effective.

Here’s to a great mane!