Henna: A Healthy And Natural Way To Dye Your Hair
Henna is a completely natural product that will not only color the hair, but will also restore its strength while avoiding the harmful effects mass-produced products can have on the hair. In this article we will explain how to dye your hair with henna and where to find it.
What is henna?
Henna is the Arabic name for a shrub, known as lawsonia inermis , which is a natural dye with a reddish color.
The henna dye is made from the leaves, which are dried and powdered. This powder can be applied to the hair to color it, but it can also be used as a dye to temporarily tattoo the skin in a natural way.
Benefits for the hair
Henna is a product of total vegetable origin, without additives, and provides the following benefits to our hair:
- It does not discolor and the color will not go away.
- It gives the hair a natural color.
- Leaves hair full of volume and strength, making it a great option for those with thin or slightly damaged hair.
- Leaves hair shiny and radiant.
- The dye lasts for approx. 3 months, and will gradually go away, making it less noticeable.
- Covers gray hair .
- Henna leaves a reddish color, but can be combined with other plants to create a variety of colors. Neutral henna contains no color and is used as a hair mask.
- It can be used as often as desired.
The dangers of mass-produced dyes
When we use henna, the hair not only benefits from using natural products, but we also avoid the harmful effects of mass-produced hair coloring products that contain peroxide and ammonia, two chemicals that damage the hair and can lead to the following symptoms when used for a long time. :
- Irritation of the scalp
- Imbalance in the hair’s natural oils, which leads to either oily or dry hair
- Hair loss
- Thin, brittle, damaged hair
- Split tips
How can I dye my hair with henna?
Always follow the instructions for use that come with the product.
Here is the general procedure:
- Mix powdered henna with lemon juice to make a smooth mass. Lemon juice helps the dye settle better.
- Leave it in a plastic-coated bowl for at least 8 hours. You can prepare the mixture the night before for use the next morning.
- Wash your hair well, without using conditioner, and dry with a towel.
- Divide the hair into sections and start by applying the color from the roots, until the hair is completely covered.
- Once it is covered, wrap the hair in plastic and cover it with a towel.
- Let it sit for an hour, or the recommended time specified in the product’s instructions for use.
- Wash your hair normally.
As we have said before, henna is also used to color the skin. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to wear gloves when working with henna to avoid stains that will be difficult to remove later.
You can avoid getting color on the forehead by first applying a thin layer of Vaseline around the hairline.
Finally, be very careful with your clothes while working with henna, as it stains easily.
Where can I find it?
Henna can be found in health food stores, stores that sell natural products, and in some stores that have Arabic products. It can also be purchased online.
You should choose a quality henna product, which does not contain any chemical ingredients and is completely organic. There are many products that list henna as one of their ingredients, but they are not completely natural.
Pay attention to whether the product is pure henna powder, or only contains a little henna. There is a big difference between the two. In this article we refer to pure henna in powder form.
