What is Henna Hair Dye and How Does it Work?

We all want our bodies to come in contact with as few chemicals as possible to keep ourselves as healthy as we can. So when it comes to coloring our hair using an all-natural product is obviously the best way to go.

Regular hair dye is packed full of harsh chemicals that are not only harmful to our health but also the environment once they’ve washed down the drain. They are also very damaging to your hair and scalp but henna has natural conditioning properties which will leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and luxurious. 

What is henna hair dye?

Henna is made from the Lawsonia inermis plant, which is also known as the henna tree, the mignonette tree, or the Egyptian privet. The leaves of the plant are dried, ground into a powder and then made into a paste.

Although it is mainly used across Africa and the Middle East, it has gained popularity around the world. Henna has been used for centuries for many different purposes such as a dye for skin, fingernails, and fabrics -  and also to use as promote a healthier hair. In fact, there are benefits to using henna to color your hair. 

Here are just a few benefits that you can expect if you decide to use henna for your next hair coloring experience.

• Soothe an irritated, itchy scalp.

• Condition dry, damaged hair by sealing the hair cuticle to help it retain moisture.

• Strengthen the hair follicles and prevent breakage while also promoting hair growth.

• Restore the PH balance to hair and controls oil production.

How does henna work to color your hair?

Henna hair dye works by covering the cuticle of the hair without seeping through to the core, which is another reason why it does not damage your hair like a chemical dye will. It comes in powder form, which you mix with water to form a paste. It is best to create the mixture a few hours before you plan to use it since this will allow more time for the dye to release. 

You then apply the mixture to your hair, cover it (while allowing it to still breathe), and let it sit for a few hours. Because of the waiting time, it’s best to make sure you have enough freedom for the process before you start because the longer it is left on the brighter or deeper the color will be. 

You can use henna hair dye on any hair type or shade, although the color will be brighter on lighter hair. The results will be a brown or reddish tone, depending on your existing hair shade To get deeper shades such as black, another natural ingredient known as indigo will need to be added to the mix. The blue of the indigo with the red/orange of the pure henna will blend to achieve the darker shades.

Henna is permanent but won’t hurt your hair - or permanently damage it - as synthetic dyes will. It will normally last a few months and begin to naturally fade from there. You can dye your hair with henna as often as you like without needing to wait (as we know this is the case with synthetic chemical dyes). So for a nice boost of color while also giving your hair conditioning treatment, give henna a try.

Reach out for a conversation with a member of The Henna Guys team today or take a look at our current stock to find the product that will work best for your hair type and requirements.