Henna for Hair Dye: How to Apply for Best Results

You must have already heard about ‘Henna’ for Hair Dye!

But have you tried it yet?

If not, then you must!

I will tell you why and how.

Henna is one of the best natural coloring agents that also nourishes your hair. 

‘Doctor, is henna good for my hair?’ a 23-year-old asked me.

‘Yes, henna is a rich nourisher for your hair’ I replied.

‘But the hairstylist advised me never to use henna on hair. He said it rips off the moisture and damages my hair. Also, the color of henna looks so bad.’

Henna is a great natural hair dye. It fights dandruff. Nourishes hair growth. Prevents hair fall. Covers grey strands. And all these without any side effects. But you have to use it correctly.

Commercial hair dyes and bleaches contain dangerous, toxic ingredients. There are hundreds of chemical ingredients in hair coloring products. They are not only bad for the hair but also have damaging effects on health.

Since, coloring for covering greys is something one would do repeatedly, thus considering these harmful effects is very crucial. Over a period of time, hair dyes can cause skin issues, eye irritation, and even increase the risk of cancer!

Thus, going for a natural nourisher like Henna is a better alternative.

Also Read: Hair Straightening: Pros and Cons

Henna – a natural hair dye

Henna is a plant-based dye for hair. It is extensively used in India for centuries. In India, Henna is known for more than its coloring effects. Even young girls apply henna to their hair for hair growth, shine, and smoothness. It is a natural hair conditioner that fights dandruff and nourishes the scalp. 

Also Read: 10 incredible home remedies for Voluminous hair

How to apply a Henna for hair dye?

The only thing about henna is it’s tricky to apply.

Applying henna for hair dye can be quite messy. And you have to take proper precautions. Else it might not be applied evenly. Or can even stain your forehead or neck.

Here is a step-by-step guide for applying henna as hair dye

Also Read: 5 DIY natural hair conditioners

Henna for Hair dye: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1

Create a thick paste of henna. Mix powdered henna and water in a bowl and leave it for at least 10-12 hours. You can also make the paste using henna leaves from a henna plant if that’s available.

But since, most people don’t have a henna plant (Lawsonia inermis,) at home, organic or Ayurvedic henna powder is preferred. You can also add a few hair-nourishing ingredients to the paste, according to your preference. 

Step 2

Before applying henna to your hair rub some petroleum jelly on your forehead, neck, and ears. This is to prevent stains from Henna in awkward places.

Also wear some old cloth, so that it won’t matter much if a drop of henna stains them. You can also wear plastic disposable gloves to protect your hands and nails from coloring

Step 3

Get your bowl of henna ready. Damp your hair by spraying a little water. Part your hair into sections. Apply the paste to the roots with your fingertips or using a brush. Applying with fingers evenly distributes the paste from roots to tip. 

Step 4

Make sure the paste is applied to the entire scalp and strands. Make a bun at the back and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave it on for 2-4 hours for the best results and let the paste dry. 

Step 5

To remove the henna, first, take rinse. Apply a natural conditioner to your hair to loosen the paste. Rinse the conditioner and color it and soak it with a dry towel.

The hair dye from henna appears after 24 to 48 hours. For dedicated colors, you can add, coffee, tea, hibiscus flowers, or other natural ingredients to your henna.

Also Read: How to regrow hair naturally

Henna for Hair Dye

As already said, you can enrich your henna pack by adding several natural ingredients. Here are a few tips that you might try for silky-smooth hair.

Henna with Egg 

An egg is a natural conditioner. It provides your hair with shine and smoothness. You can use the egg white and ditch the yolk if the smell bothers you. Mix the egg white into your henna paste and keep it aside for some time before applying. 

Someone facing too much fizziness or dullness in hair can use this combination

1. Henna with Almond and Tea tree oil 

Almond and tea tree oil promotes hair growth and increases the thickness of hair. Almond oil has fast hair growth properties. And Tea tree oil reduces hair fall. The combination enhances hair strength and gives nutrition to the roots.

Add a few drops of both the oil to your paste and mix it properly. 

2. Henna with Coffee 

If you don’t like the orange hue of henna, then add some coffee for a beautiful reddish-brown color. Prepare black coffee with just water and coffee powder. Let it cool for some time. Next, add the henna powder to the cold black coffee decoction.

3. Henna with yogurt 

Yogurt is another great conditioner. It smoothens the hair texture and clears the scalp of dandruff and microbes. Yogurt is very good for scalp health. You can also add a few drops of lemon for extra nourishment.

4. Henna with tea

Just like coffee, you can also add black tea to your henna. The process is the same, prepare plain black tea by dipping tea leaves into boiling water. Let it cool. Add henna powder to the water and let it settle.

This will give a luscious brown color to your hair

5. Henna with hibiscus

Hibiscus stimulates hair growth. It prevents baldness. Fights against dandruff and treats itchy scalp. Hibiscus conditions your hair and prevents premature greying. Grind hibiscus flowers and leaves with Henna powder to make a thick hair pack. 

This will give your hair a beautiful purple makeover naturally.

Henna for black hair

Henna can be used to color black hair, but the result will depend on a number of factors, such as the natural color of your hair, the type of henna used, and how it is applied.

Henna is a plant-based dye that can add red or orange tones to hair, but it is not typically used to produce a true black color. If you have black hair and you use henna, it is likely that your hair will turn a reddish-brown or auburn color.

If you are interested in using henna for black hair, it is best to do a patch test first to see how your hair reacts to the dye. You should also be aware that henna can be a time-consuming process, as it typically requires several hours to apply and can take several hours or even days to fully develop its color.

It is also important to note that henna can be permanent hair color, so it is not recommended for those who are looking for a temporary or semi-permanent color solution.

If you are looking for a true black hair color, there are other hair dyes available that are specifically designed for this purpose. However, these dyes can be harsh and may cause damage to your hair, so it is important to speak to a doctor before using them, especially if you have sensitive skin or a pre-existing skin condition.

Henna Dyes Hair Naturally:  Studies on the Effectiveness of Henna as a Safe and Effective Hair Color Alternative

Here are some studies that have investigated the use of henna for hair coloring:

1. Evaluation of Henna as a Natural Hair Dye – This study, published in the International Journal of Trichology, investigated the use of henna as a natural alternative to chemical hair dyes.
   
2. The Effect of Henna on Hair Properties – This study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, looked at the impact of henna on the physical properties of hair, such as shine and strength.
   
3. Comparative Study of Chemical and Herbal Hair Dyes – This study, published in the International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, compared the effects of henna with those of chemical hair dyes on hair health and color.
   
4. The Role of Henna in Hair Care – This study, published in the Journal of Applied Cosmetology, looked at the use of henna for hair care and the improvement of hair health.
   
5. Henna and Hair Dyeing: A Review – This review, published in the International Journal of Trichology, looked at the use of henna as a hair dye and its potential benefits and drawbacks.
   
6. The Effectiveness of Henna as a Natural Hair Dye – This study, published in the Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, investigated the effectiveness of henna as a natural hair dye.
   
7. Henna: An Alternative to Chemical Hair Dyes – This study, published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, looked at the use of henna as a safer alternative to chemical hair dyes.
   
8. Henna: A Safe and Effective Alternative to Chemical Hair Dyes – This study, published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences, and Applications, investigated the safety and efficacy of henna as a hair dye.
   
9. The Use of Henna for Hair Dyeing: A Systematic Review – This systematic review, published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences, and Applications, looked at the available evidence on the use of henna for hair dyeing.
   
10. Henna as a Natural Hair Dye: A Comprehensive Review – This comprehensive review, published in the Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, looked at the use of henna as a natural hair dye and its effects on hair health and appearance.

Henna for Hair Dye: Ayurvedic Doctor’s opinion

Henna is a plant-based dye that has been used for centuries for hair color and hair care. It has been traditionally used in India, the Middle East, and North Africa for its conditioning properties and for its ability to add color to hair without damaging it.

There have been a number of studies that have investigated the use of henna for hair. Some of these studies have focused on the safety of henna for hair, while others have looked at the efficacy of henna for improving the health and appearance of hair.

One study published in the Journal of Applied Cosmetology found that henna improved the shine and smoothness of hair. Another study published in the International Journal of Trichology found that henna was effective in reducing hair damage caused by chemical treatments.

As an Ayurvedic doctor, I recommend henna for natural hair dyeing. Henna is an age-old hair-dying product. Trusted and proven. Its benefits and hair care qualities are mentioned in the Vedas and several ancient scriptures. 

The hair coloring dyes in the market are proven to have toxic ingredients. As the such, natural organic henna powder is a much safer bet. And with a little innovation in the blend, you can get a host of hues from these natural leaves. 

So, are you trying henna at home this weekend?