The benefits of Henna for natural Hair color have been extolled for ages. Botanically known as Lawsonia inermis, henna has been used by both men and women for more than 6,000 years to dye their hair, nails, and skin. It is known that the ancient Egyptian queens, Nefertiti and Cleopatra, used henna for Natural Hair Color . Its use has also been recorded in Africa, the Middle East, and India.

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The henna dye is obtained from the leaves of the henna plant. These leaves are dried, milled, and then sifted. In order to activate the dye, an acidic substance such as tea liquor or lemon juice needs to be added to it. Dying hair with henna is a better option than using chemical hair colors which may have several adverse effects, such as rashes, itching, allergies, and hair damage.

Factors Affecting Shade of Henna Dye

Different shades can be obtained from henna dye – auburn, orange, burgundy, chestnut brown, or brown-black. The shade obtained by dying hair with henna depends on some factors:

• The process of harvesting and storing the henna leaves
• The freshness of henna leaves
• The origin of the henna plant (region in which it is grown)
• The length of time the henna dye is allowed to stay on hair – the longer it is, the darker the color obtained.
• The state in which henna stays on hair – wet or dry
• The amount of heat applied to the head after putting henna – keeping the head warm will get you a darker color
• The number of times henna has been applied to the hair – the henna dye is deposited on the hair strand in the form of a translucent layer, hence the more frequently the hair is dyed, the darker the color obtained.
• The herbs or substances mixed with henna dye

Mode of Action of Henna

Henna attaches itself to keratin protein present in hair and forms a permanent coating on it. However, it does not penetrate the hair. This is why it is considered to be a safer option as compared to chemical dyes.

Every time you apply henna, a fresh coating is formed on the hair strand. Thus, the color becomes darker with each application.

To remove the coats of henna deposited on hair, you will have to wait for the hair to grow out, or chop off the strands with henna, or use stripping chemicals to remove the dye. The last method is harsh and damages hair.

Once applied to hair, henna dye does not fade. Since hair is made up of dead cells, the dye remains in place until the hair falls out or the hair grows out. When applied to skin, henna dye appears to fade because skin cells are alive and renew themselves regularly. The skin cells with henna are eventually shed, giving the appearance of fading away.

Why does Hair Lose Color?

Hair turns grey for a variety of reasons – some are genetic, whereas others are environmental.

Greying hair could occur due to one or more of the following reasons:

1. Normal aging – The most common reason for loss of hair color is the regular aging process. According to professors at Stanford University, at the age of 50, around 50% of the population has 50% grey hair. As one ages, the hair strands change in texture, similar to the skin.
2. Ethnicity – Caucasians have a tendency to lose hair color earlier than Asians. African-Americans are slow to turn grey.
3. Stress – Although the association between stress and greying of hair has not been proven, however, it appears to play a role in skin and hair problems such as rapid hair fall. It has also been observed that after a traumatic event such as chemotherapy, hair that grows back may be of a different color.
4. Lifestyle – Living an unhealthy lifestyle has repercussions on hair. Not eating balanced meals may cause a dip in levels of vitamin B12 that leads to a loss of melanin pigment that gives hair its characteristic color. Nutritious foods such as carrots and liver can help retain natural hair color.
5. Too much styling – Excessive use of hair irons and electric dryers causes hair to change texture and lose its color.
6. Damage due to exposure – Exposure to environmental pollutants cause the formation of free radicals in the body which attack the cell membranes and damage them. This sort of damage causes hair to lose its natural color.

Benefits of Henna for Natural Hair Color

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The benefits of henna for hair are outlined below:

1. Strengthens hair – Applying henna for natural hair color is compared to getting a protein treatment done. It coats hair strands and makes them stronger and more resistant to damage through environmental exposure. However, henna cannot be used as a substitute for protein treatment since it is not a protein substance.
2. Boosts shine – One of the benefits of henna for hair is that it coats each hair strand, making the cuticles lie flat. This gives hair a smooth and shiny appearance.
3. Thickens hair – Another advantage of dying hair with henna is that it gives the appearance of thicker hair. People with fine, limp hair have noticed that frequent application of henna makes their hair denser and improves bounce and shine. Hair gets more body than before. This happens because the coats of henna improve the structure of hair and make it thicker.
4. Promotes growth of hair – Applying henna on black hair boosts its growth since it acts as a conditioner. It prevents moisture from escaping by forming a protective coating around each hair strand. This also improves the strength of hair.
5. Causes less breakage of hair – Due to the strengthening effects of henna, it prevents hair strands from breaking too easily. Regularly dying hair with henna leads to the formation of coats around the hair strands, thus protecting them from damage.

Benefits of Beetroot Juice and Henna for Natural Hair Color

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Did you know that adding beetroot juice increases the benefits of henna for hair? Beetroot is a vegetable that is rich in iron and has several health benefits. In addition, it is a natural dye. By mixing beetroot juice with henna for natural hair color, you can get a lovely shade of auburn.

1. Gives reddish tinge to hair – Mixing henna with beetroot juice enables you to get a reddish shade for your hair. Since there are no chemicals involved, this is a safe and healthy way to get hair dyed a beautiful auburn shade.
2. Nourishes hair – Beetroot juice is rich in nutrients such as vitamins B and C, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, proteins, and carbohydrates. Thus, adding it to henna for natural hair color also helps nourish the hair and make it strong and healthy.
3. Moisturizes hair – Beetroot juice contains carotenoids that help boost the thickness and shine of hair. Silica present in beetroot juice provides hydration to hair and keeps it healthy. The juice relieves dryness of scalp and consequent discomfort.
4. Other benefits – Beetroot juice also has anti-pruritic (i.e. anti-itching) properties that make it useful to relieve itching due to dandruff and dryness of scalp.

How to Apply Henna to Hair?

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The following steps describe how to apply henna to hair:

1. Grate henna leaves using a mortar and pestle or in an electric blender. Alternatively, use commercially-available henna powder.
2. Store henna paste in a non-metallic container such as glass because henna reacts with metal and loses its dying properties.
3. Add green tea to the henna paste or henna powder and mix thoroughly using a silicone spatula or a wooden spoon. Again, remember not to use a metal spoon.
4. Several different ingredients can be applied to henna powder to get varied benefits:

• Steep henna in amla water for 2 hours for healthy, glossy, and strong hair.
• Add water boiled with 2 tablespoons of amla, 2 cloves, and 1 teaspoon of black tea to get a deep-hued dye.

5. After allowing the mixture to sit for several hours, preferably overnight, apply it on clean and dry hair.
6. After coating each strand carefully with the henna mixture, cover the head with disposable plastic wrap. This will hold in the heat and help the henna dye develop a rich, intense color.
7. While applying henna to hair, be careful so that it does not fall on skin or clothing because it leaves a stain that does not wash out easily.
8. For added protection from staining, wear a shower cap over the plastic wrap.
9. Let the henna paste stay on your hair for at least 4 hours before washing it out.
10. Shampoo and condition hair as usual. For people with dry hair, henna has a tendency to further dry out the hair, so applying conditioner to add moisture is a good idea.

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Explore the power of this green herb today and see the benefits of henna for hair yourself. The use of henna for natural hair color has been in vogue for centuries and rightly done.

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