Henna Hair Dye

How to Find Truly Natural Henna Hair Color

What is the truth about henna hair dye? Although henna is a safe, natural hair dye alternative to toxic hair dyes, many brands of henna hair color contain the very ingredients that are most hazardous to health.

There is only one true form of henna and that is Lawsonia inermis, a flowering plant indigenous to Australasia, Africa, and southern Asia. It's been used for centuries to dye skin, fingernails, hair, wool, and leather. Modern day use, at least in the United States, henna is used as a natural hair dye.

All natural henna stains hair a reddish brown color. Products with a label of black henna or neutral henna are not true henna products, but could instead be combinations of other natural dye plants or a combination of chemicals containing no henna at all.

Today's henna hair coloring products may contain a number ingredients

Benefits of Henna Dyes for Hair

• Gradually fades over time - hair roots are not obvious

• Wide range of colors available using henna

• Gives hair life - a healthy boost

• Shiny, thick, and beautiful hair

• All natural - no harmful chemicals

• Achieves natural color

• Bonds to the keratin in hair and makes hair stronger - doesn't damage the hair

• Can be used to dye sideburns, eyebrows or facial hair

• Can dye hair at home if desired

• It's possible to mix up your own henna dye by buying powders in bulk

Limitations of Henna Hair Dye

• Time consuming each time you color

• Can stain skin, at least temporarily

• Messy way to color hair

• Color can vary greatly each time due to varying shades of henna

• Cannot lighten hair, only darken it

• Henna can possibly relax a natural curl

• Cannot dye hair with a chemical dye until henna completely grows or washes out of hair

FAQs About Hair Dyes with Henna

Some frequently asked questions regarding hair dyes with henna might include some of the following.

Which colors of hair does it work on?

Henna can be used to dye your hair a color that is equal to your natural color or darker than your natural color. Brown hair, black hair, or red hair can be dyed with henna successfully. Women and men with lighter hair or blonde hair should not opt for henna unless they want darker hair overall. Blondes cannot use henna to get lighter hair.

How long does the henna color last?

One application of henna lasts up to six weeks for some people, but it can last up to six months for others. The difference between natural henna dye and chemical dye is that the henna simply fades slightly when you wash your hair. You can re-touch the roots whenever you feel it's needed.

What color hair can I get with henna?

The range of colors available with henna is quite wide. You can achieve several colors including deep black, bright red, mahogany, auburn, varying shades of brown, and chestnut. Coloring the hair repeatedly with henna dyes will make your hair darker and darker over time.

Can henna dye cover gray?

Yes! There are specific brands of henna hair color that are formulated to effectively cover gray and are still all natural products that are safe to use over and over.

What are some popular brands of henna hair dye?

Some popular brands include Light Mountain, Henna for Hair, Surya Cream Henna Hair Color, and Natural Colors for Henna Hair Color - Gray Coverage.

Cautions About Hair Dye with Henna

Always check the label of the product you're considering. Some so-called all natural hair dyes contain PPD, or Para-Phenylenediamine, a toxic chemical that can cause severe allergic reactions (see hair dye allergies and also could cause cancer or other health problems if used long term.