Henna is a red dye herb derived from the powdered leaves of Lawsonia Inermis, a plant that thrives in India, the Middle East, and North Africa.
It is a completely natural plant-based dye used for centuries as a dye for hair and skin.
Since henna is free of chemicals such as ammonia and peroxides (found in many traditional dyes), it cannot be used to bleach hair by lightening it, but only to darken it and give it shades ranging from red to brown to black.
The color tone obtained from henna varies depending on the type of hair it is applied to and the duration of application.
The various shades of color from brown to black are obtained by mixing red henna (the only type of henna capable of covering white hair) with other dye or reflective powders obtained from the leaves of plants like Indigofera Tinctoria and Cassia Obovata.
The so-called "blonde henna" is actually a mix of red henna with other herbs that, when applied to light brown hair, provides brighter reflections making the hair overall lighter in color.
Due to its natural properties, henna is considered an excellent alternative to chemical dyes and is often used by women even during pregnancy, a time when the use of traditional hair dyes is discouraged.
Indeed, the chemical compounds in commercial dyes can be absorbed through the scalp and thus enter the bloodstream, potentially posing risks to the fetus.
Therefore, henna represents a safer solution for coloring hair during pregnancy, provided that you consult a doctor about your specific situation.
It is important to read the labels of products on the market very carefully before purchasing them as some, even though they are indicated as henna, may still contain other ingredients harmful during pregnancy or capable of causing allergies.
How to Apply Henna to Hair at Home
If you intend to start using henna to color your hair, it is always advisable to perform a test on a small area of the scalp to ensure that there is no allergic reaction or high skin sensitivity.
The first application is crucial to understand how the hair reacts to the uptake of the color so as to establish the most suitable duration of application for your needs.
However, keep in mind that the color from natural dye powders intensifies over time, so for a more accurate idea, it is better to consider the result after the first 2 or 3 applications.
Regarding the amount of henna to use, it depends a lot on the type of hair (thick or thin), the length of the hair, and the intensity of the color you want to achieve.
- for short and thin hair - 30 g of henna powder
- for long and thin hair - 350 g of henna powder
- for short and thick hair - 50 g of henna powder
- for long and thick hair - 550 g of henna powder
As with any hair dyeing operation, it is wise to take some precautions to avoid stains in the house or on clothes such as placing a plastic sheet (or newspapers or cardboard) on the floor and wearing old clothes during the henna application process.
Materials
- Henna powder
- Very hot water (about 60 g of hot water for every 50 g of henna powder)
- A non-metallic container (e.g., a bowl)
- A non-metallic spoon for mixing the mixture (e.g., a spatula or a plastic spoon)
- A brush for applying the mixture
- A pair of latex gloves
- A shower cap or clear plastic wrap
- An old towel
Procedure
- Pour the henna powder into the container and gradually add hot water stirring the mixture constantly with the spoon until it reaches the consistency of a lump-free cream (like Greek yogurt).
- Cover the container with a lid or with plastic wrap and let the mixture rest for about 4 or 5 hours. This resting phase allows the pigments in the henna to activate.
- For effective coloring with henna, it must be applied to freshly washed hair with just one round of shampoo (but no conditioner), just damp (but not wet) and without hair styling products.
This hair preparation not only facilitates the penetration of color into the hair itself, but it is also necessary to then avoid using shampoo for the first 24 hours after application.
- When the mixture is ready, apply moisturizing cream or oil to the forehead, just below the hairline and around the ears to prevent skin staining.
- After putting on gloves, comb your hair and apply the henna with the brush, distributing it evenly from roots to tips.
- Gather the hair with an old clip and wrap it in a shower cap or in clear plastic wrap. The humidity thus created activates the coloring process.
- At this point, wait for a time that varies from 2 to 4 hours depending on the type of hair and the intensity of the color you want to achieve.
The longer the wait, the more intense the color, although the optimal solution would be to aim for more frequent colorings with a minimum wait time of about 2 hours each time, so as to avoid long-term sensitization of the scalp.
- Then rinse the hair thoroughly with lukewarm water and conditioner until the excess color is completely discharged and the water becomes clear.
- After rinsing wrap the hair in an old towel and dry as usual then apply some hair oil to the tips to nourish them.
In the next 24-48 hours, you will see that the color becomes increasingly evident.
Regarding the frequency of applications, we can opt for a coloring every 10 days for the first 2 or 3 times if you have never used this method before and a coloring once a month once the hair is accustomed to this type of treatment.