Henna is natural, non-toxic, non-irritating, non-allergic hair dye and hair care product gifted by Mother Nature to us. It has astringent, antidandruff and cooling properties. It is used to colour hairs from time immemorial. It is also applied on hands, feet and nails for enhancing beauty.
Henna leaves contain Lawsome, a red dye molecule which has affinity to bond with protein. This property gives henna ability to colour hairs, nails and skin.
Henna can be used either in form of fresh henna leaves or leaves powder.
For preparing henna powder, leaves are harvested and dried in sun. Then pulverised to get green henna powder.
Benefits of using henna in hairs
- Henna is used for dyeing hairs as well as conditioning of hairs.
- Henna adds bounce to hairs, gives thickness and fuller appearance.
- Henna protects hairs from external damage as it coats and conditions hair strands.
- Henna use increases diameter of individual hairs and thus improves hair thickness.
- Regular application of henna makes hair beautiful, shiny and manageable.
- During summers, henna application on scalp gives cooling effects.
- Henna is natural hair cleaner.
- Henna use promotes new hair growth, cures dandruff, maintains scalp pH and checks hair loss.
How to use Henna or Mehndi on hairs?
Mix henna powder (1 cup) with lukewarm water (1 cup) or boil tea (or coffee) in cup of water and use this for preparing henna paste. You may add an egg, lemon juice and curd. Soak at night in an iron vessel.
Next morning, apply Vaseline on hair line and ears. Wear gloves and apply paste in roots and strands of clean shampooed hairs.
Wear a plastic cap to avoid dripping as well as trapping the heat for better results.
Leave for one to three hours then rinse twice or thrice with water to remove henna from hairs. If you are using henna for hair colouring then do not wash using shampoo.
Use regularly (every 4-6 weeks).
Precautions while using henna
- Avoid using henna every week as that can cause dryness of hairs.
- Tips for henna dyed hairs.
- Avoid chlorinated water.
- Wear cap while swimming or rinse after every session.
- Avoid exposure to strong sunlight.
- Apply henna every six to eight weeks.
Please note, there are countless products in market which claim to contain henna but give black hair colour on use.
The example of such products are Kali Mehndi, black henna, neutral henna. These are chemical based hair dyes containing metallic salts, dyes and there use may cause severe allergic reactions and are disastrous for health. Remember, henna can give only reddish colour to hairs and not black. So choose products wisely.
Always check the ingredients list written on label of product. It is better to go for henna powder which is green in colour as that is prepared from dried and powdered henna leaves.