Are you a hair color junkie who is looking for a natural alternative or someone who wants to better the condition of your hair?
You might have come across the word ‘henna’. If you are wondering what it is, you have come to the right place. Henna is a natural dye that comes from a henna plant.
The henna you see in the market is available in powder form which is made with the help of henna leaves.
It is used for coloring the hair, creating temporary body art, and as a natural nail coloring agent.
If you’re looking for an answer on What is Henna and how it can be a perfect alternative to traditional hair dye and permanent body art then you’ve come to the right place.
The Henna Plant
Henna is essentially a flowering plant that thrives in warm temperatures.
The color/pigment of the henna will differ based on the region when henna plant grows in.
There is an active compound called lawsone found in the henna plant that gives it the orangish-red pigment.
The color of henna can vary from a light orange or a deep burgundy based on the quality of the henna powder. Typically, a henna plant that grows in a hot climate will give a darker tint.
Henna Powder
The conventional form of henna we see these days on the market is henna powder.
This powder when mixed with water gives a beautiful color to your hair and skin.
By mixing henna with water, a molecule called lawsone migrates to the top layer of your skin and hair to give it a beautiful stain.
It is widely used by body art lovers all around the world as well as hair color junkies.
Some people also like to mix it with coffee, lemon juice, and black tea to enhance the color. One thing to keep in mind is that you have to leave the henna mixture overnight to achieve the best results.
Another thing to remember is that henna paste does not have a stable shelf life. Hence, prepare the mixture as needed.
Henna – A Part of Festivities and Celebrations
Henna is a wide part of festivities especially in the South Asian regions and Arab festivities.
It is an essential part of weddings, Eid’s, and other religious festivals.
It is impossible to imagine a wedding without henna aka Mehendi in certain parts of the world.
In some cases, the use of henna is limited to the bride but in most cases, henna is also an important part of wedding guests. Designs vary from full-blown artistic canvas to simple mandala designs.
It is applied to the hands, feet, belly, and back area as well.
Similarly, it is a major part of Eid (Muslim religious festival) and is associated with pretty much all kinds of celebrations.
Henna as a Hair Dye
Henna is a natural, yet permanent hair dye that is widely used by people around the world. It is a great health hair booster.
A good-quality henna powder is free from all the nasty chemicals that come with conventional hair dyes. In the modern-day, it comes in a variety of colors.
Henna Hair Dye Application
For starters, it is important to understand, that it is a natural product that cannot only be used to dye eyebrows, beards, and even your mustache.
Make sure to do a patch test before applying it to your hair to ensure that you are not allergic to it in any way shape or form.
Henna Dye Results
To achieve good results with henna, you will have to apply it for a much longer duration than a conventional hair dye.
The henna molecule takes a long time to develop and stick to the hair protein.
The entire process requires a lot of patience. First, you have to keep the mixture overnight and leave it in your hair for 8 hours to achieve the best outcome.
Benefits of Using Henna for Hair
Here are the top benefits of henna powder for your hair:
- It comes in several shades so you don’t have to compromise on the choice of colors.
- Henna makes your hair stronger and prevents hair fall and breakage.
- Henna hair dye adds a beautiful shine to your hair.
- Henna is known for its anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties and is amazing for the health of your scalp.
- It makes your hair softer and more manageable.
- Henna revives dull and damaged hair and makes it healthy.
Disadvantages of Using Henna for Hair
Here are a few possible disadvantages of using henna:
- Despite being completely natural, it can irritate the skin of some people. It is best to do a patch test.
- Henna hair dye is a permanent color that is difficult to get rid of.
- The application process is longer and requires a lot of patience.
- Henna hair dye does not come in lighter shades such as blondes, ash, and grey tones.
Types of Henna Available
Henna comes in a lot of options. These are the most commonly available ones:
- Natural Henna
Henna in its more natural form gives you a reddish-brown color. When applied to the skin, it can last for about 4 to 7 days. For hair, the dye will be permanent.
- Neutral Henna
Neutral henna is extracted from a plant named Senna Italica. The consistency is 1uite similar but it does not alter the color of your hair.
- Black Henna
Black henna has been used for creating henna tattoos. Although, most black henna cones are not natural and are loaded with chemicals. FDA specifically disapproves of the use of black henna.
It can cause massive skin irritation and skin peeling that ruin your skin.
The Evolution – How is Henna Distribution Today?
A lot of companies are selling henna all around the world.
Some of the brands are very high quality and natural while others are packed with chemicals and are no better for you than store-bought box dyes.
Henna technology has evolved greatly and comes in varying shades such as brown, red, auburn, burgundy, and more.
It is important to be educated about the type of henna you are using. Read through the ingredients and make sure there is nothing unnatural.