Henna as is commonly known is a herb called Lawsonia Inermis. It comes in a green powder that smells like hay and it is from the leaves of a henna plant. 100% henna is a natural hair dye and conditioner that has been used by many cultures for many years. The leaves of the henna plant have a red-orange dye molecule, Lawsone, That will stain the skin, cloth and light hair.
Here are some of the benefits of using 100% henna on the hair.
- Applying henna pack twice a month makes hair glossy, healthy and voluminous.
- It repairs the damaged hair strands and restores the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp.
- It is an amazing conditioner for hair that protects the hair strands by building a protective layer around each strand.
- It is the best and safest way to colour your hair that has no ammonia, chemicals, and toxins.
- Henna can be used to treat dandruff and scalp infections effectively.
- Gives thicker, stronger strands which may result in less breakage
- Reduces hair porosity thereby helping the hair to retain moisture for longer
- Helps to reduce or eliminates dandruff and a dry itchy scalp.
- Smooths hair cuticle giving hair a healthy appearance
- Thickens hair because it deposits the dye on the hair strands
- Promotes growth due to antibacterial and anti-fungal properties
- Less shedding
- Some people report that henna loosens their curl pattern, I would not consider this a benefit but some people henna for this reason
Using Henna as a hair dye.
100% Henna dyes hair red to orange depending on the initial hair colour you are starting with. For lighter hair, the colour is well pronounced but for darker hair, brown and black hair, it may give a burgundy colour to simply some red highlights respectively. Henna does not colour naturally textured black hair red but will give the hair some reddish highlights which are more visible in the sunlight. Henna must be used before Indigo when colouring hair a dark brown to black also depending on the hair colour you’re starting with.
