Brown henna for hair: benefits, harms and tips for use

The use of natural dyes is considered to be a very effective solution for changing the color or shade of hair. But if everyone is already accustomed to paints that give a pronounced red color, brown henna for hair still looks exotic. Meanwhile, it was with her help that Indian women have maintained the beauty and color of their luxurious hair for centuries. Depending on the condition and natural shade of the strands, brown henna for hair can give a visible strengthening effect, improve the density of curls, make them heavier and more manageable.

Natural dye - brown henna - contains in its composition the main active ingredient, presented in the form chopped leaves of a lawsonia bush (lawsonia inermis). It grows mainly in the countries of the African region; products supplied abroad are mined in Iran and India.

The color obtained on the hair depends on the ingredients added to the base substance. So, for all dark shades henna mixes with basma (indigofer dyeing), amla, vetiver, nim tree leaves, bhringaraj... And also to enhance the effect, you can prepare a composition of 100 g of henna with cooked strong coffee - the result will be much richer and more impressive. In some dyes, manufacturers already add it to the list of ingredients, as well as cocoa butter.

For easy storage and transportation, well-known brands of natural hair cosmetics press their products into briquettes that look like chocolate bars... It is convenient to measure the dye in them, but before preparing the mixture, you will have to grind the selected volume in the tiles with a grater.

Peculiarities light brown, dark brown and golden brown henna consist in the final color obtained on the hair. Modern manufacturers offer ready-made solutions for those who dream of changing the shade of their hair. Dark brown paint is created on the basis of a mixture of henna and basma; to enhance the tone, you can add natural coffee or cocoa. It always has impurities, because in its pure form, only a copper shade can be obtained.

Helps to obtain optimal results and paint with ground cloves or black tea, cocoa... Basma is added 1 part to 3 parts of henna. Proportions also matter. A golden brown color scheme is obtained when using an extract in the dye chamomile, turmeric, saffron.

What matters is the content of the basma. Ingredients mixed in equal proportions give natural dark chestnut tone... In a ratio of 1 to 2 (part of henna into two parts of basma), the color will turn out close to black, as dark and saturated as possible. Additional ingredients help make the tone more vibrant.

Brown henna in briquettes requires preliminary grinding to a powdery state. When buying bulk raw materials, its fractions will be smaller, like dust. For short hair, it takes about 50 g or 1 tile cube... The herbal base is poured boiling water or, if the shade is as dark as possible, the freshly brewed coffee is left brew for 10 minutes. The mixture is brought to a homogeneous state with a wooden stick, the contents should have the consistency of kefir or liquid sour cream.

Pre-washed and dried hair is covered with ready-made henna, carefully distributing it along the entire length. After completing the procedure, the head is wrapped in plastic wrap or cap, insulated to enhance the achieved effect with a towel. The average exposure time for staining will be 2-4 hours, then the composition should be washed off.

Among the obvious advantages the use of natural brown henna in its various variations can be noted:

• drying effect of the composition, which improves the condition of oily hair and scalp;
• elimination of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis;
• recovery after perm or other damage to hair;
• stimulation of hair growth, regenerating effect on curls;
• lack of chemical attack inherent in other types of dyes;
• minimizing the risks of developing allergic reactions.

Natural brown henna noticeably thickens hair, makes it visually more impressive and heavy. This is true for the owners of thinned hair, it helps to cope with split ends.

In terms of its multicomponent composition, brown henna is more reminiscent of modern hair dyes. But the more additives, the higher the risks of individual reactions. Prolonged contact of hair with henna-based formulations can lead to overdrying the rod, significantly worsen their general condition. That is why there is prohibition on too frequent carrying out of the procedure.

It is strictly forbidden to combine staining with chemical compounds and henna. If less than three weeks have elapsed from exposure, staining results may be unpredictable. The same restrictions apply for a perm, lamination. After the henna has been used, it is worth waiting a few months until the dye is completely washed out.Otherwise, there is a possibility that when chemical staining is attempted, the expected color will change.

The henna has been purchased and the staining can begin. To use it without harm to curls, first of all, you should remember that the dye stains the skin quite strongly - gloves should be used during the procedure. The use of metal dishes is also excluded.... The container for the preparation and mixing of natural paint should be porcelain, earthenware or glass to prevent oxidation.

The following video will tell you more about the features of henna.