Henna for hair: features, types and application

It's pretty easy to change the image. To do this, for example, you can dye your hair with henna. This will be discussed in the article.

The coloring agent obtained from dried leaves of thornless lavsonia is called henna. This product gained initial popularity in the eastern states. As the trade flourished, beauties living in different parts of the world also got acquainted with henna. Such a product of natural origin quickly became popular and was used mainly for hair dyeing.

The plant from which this natural paint is made is a shrub. Its height is relatively small: only about 1.5-1.8 m. This plant grows in countries with hot climates. The sun's rays, acting on the leaves of the lawsonia, contribute to the accumulation of useful substances in them. It is for this reason that during staining, henna not only changes the color of the curls, but also contributes to their health.

Interestingly, thornless Lawsonia emits a specific smell at night. The same "aroma" appears when preparing a coloring composition from crushed raw materials. It should be noted that this smell is not repulsive. For example, many women note that when staining with henna, they do not experience such unpleasant sensations as when using paints rich in chemical components and various fragrances.

This is also noted by henna manufacturers.Lawsonia grows mainly in India, Egypt and Sudan. However, the planting of this thermophilic shrub can be found in other countries with hot climates.

Interestingly, the powder of crushed lawsonia leaves has been used since ancient times not only for dyeing hair. This product has also been used to treat various diseases. For example, historical information has been preserved that this tool was used as early as the 16th century. According to documents, powder of crushed leaves of lawsonia was used to treat many skin diseases, since a number of its components have a disinfectant effect. Interestingly, henna was even used to treat wounds and various skin lesions, since the biologically active components that it contains help to accelerate the regenerative processes in the skin.

The powder obtained from the leaves of Lawsonia was also used for the treatment of various infectious diseases. For example, oriental healers used it to treat rashes that appeared on the skin with chickenpox. Modern doctors, of course, do not confirm the effectiveness of using such a natural product for the treatment of infectious diseases. However, in some eastern states, supporters of traditional medicine, henna is still used to treat these pathologies.

One of the advantages of henna is its natural composition. A high-quality powder contains quite a lot of biologically active components. These substances are able to have a beneficial effect not only on the hair shafts, but also on the scalp. Some women even note that after dyeing curls with this remedy, they noticed an acceleration of hair growth.

This natural product contains the ingredients listed below.

• Complex of organic resins. Improves the elasticity of the hair and makes it smooth and shiny. Helps reduce excess dryness at the ends of the curls.
• Natural ethers. They help to improve blood flow in the scalp, which leads to the restoration of nutrition to the hair follicles. This action promotes the activation of hair growth. Also, these components help to reduce the loss of curls.
• Chlorophyll... This component is a natural antioxidant. It helps to reduce the risk of negative effects due to exposure to various external factors. It also helps to normalize hair growth.
• Pectins... Promotes the normalization of oily hair, helping to prevent the appearance of such a delicate problem as dandruff. They also help to improve the appearance of curls, making them visually more voluminous.
• Hennotanic acid. It has a beneficial effect on the normalization of the scalp. It has a detrimental effect on a number of microbes, thereby reducing the risk of the appearance of infectious trichological diseases. Helps fight inflammation.
• Polysaccharides... Contribute to the fact that the scalp becomes more hydrated. They have a beneficial effect on the glands that produce sebaceous secretions.

Henna is much richer in composition than many popular paints. It is no coincidence that many women all over the world still use this product for coloring. For example, manufacturers of hair dyes enrich their products with synthetic vitamins, and henna powder contains many biologically active components without it. It is for this reason that many beauties believe that henna is the best way to dye hair compared to other preparations.

Another advantage of such a coloring product is, of course, the fact that it rarely causes any unpleasant consequences after use. For example, allergies after using henna are quite rare.This is due to the fact that the chemical composition of the product contains practically no components that could somehow harm the body.

Another advantage of using such a hair dye is its cost. Almost everyone can afford to buy a package of henna powder.

The availability of henna is another advantage of the product. There is no need to "puzzle" your head over where to buy this coloring agent. It is sold in many stores and even some supermarkets around the world.

However, like any coloring product, henna powder has not only advantages, but also certain disadvantages. One of them is a small color palette of shades. It is for this reason that the product is not suitable for creating any kind of creative images, as well as for complex coloring.

Henna, despite the fact that it contains quite a few components useful for the scalp and hair, still cannot be used too often. This can cause excessive dryness in your hair. In this case, the ends of the curls become "dissected", which means that the hair does not look well-groomed.

Another problem with the frequent use of henna is the reduction in the natural shine of the hair. If you paint too often, for example, 3 times a month or more, you can achieve that the curls will look dull. At the same time, even the use of special shampoos for colored hair will not be able to save the situation.

The disadvantages of henna include the fact that it stains gray hair relatively poorly. The components contained in the coloring powder do not completely fill the structure of the hair shaft, as a result of which gray hair on the curls may remain even after dyeing. Some owners of light hair note that they do not use henna powder, since it is not possible to get the desired color of curls through this tool.

Specialists in dyeing curls note that henna mixes rather poorly with artificial paints. It is because of this that they recommend using such a coloring agent without adding any additional artificial colors to it. If you want to somehow change the original color of henna, then in this case it is recommended to add only products with a natural composition to the powder diluted with water before staining.

Experts recommend that women who have recently permed curls remember that henna dyeing can accelerate hair straightening. Do not use this remedy for people who are allergic to henna. For this reason, before dyeing curls with a product, it is recommended to carry out a test to determine individual sensitivity.

Hair dyed with henna can "fade" in the sun. For example, when exposed to sunlight, such curls lose their color faster. Insolation can also make your hair look dull. Experts recommend that ladies who have dyed curls with henna should wear hats in summer that protect their hair from exposure to sunlight.

For women with increased dryness of the scalp, hair coloring with henna may not be suitable. Moreover, after a single staining, there are usually no adverse effects. But after several such procedures, the scalp may become even drier, and the hair may not look well-groomed. However, this reaction is individual.

During pregnancy, many changes occur in the female body. Hormonal changes also affect the condition of the hair. When dyeing your hair with henna, it will be more difficult to achieve the desired result.

On the basis of crushed lavsonia leaves, you can get a lot of coloring products. They differ not only in the country of manufacture, but also in the color palette, as well as in the range of applications.

One of the popular natural hair coloring products is Iranian henna. This product is mainly used to dye curls in a red shade. Moreover, if you add other natural ingredients to the diluted henna powder, you can achieve a beautiful shade, for example, caramel or even the color of chocolate. These tint products are great for those with dark hair, as they help to create a unique and inimitable look.

In order to diversify the color of Iranian henna, various natural products can be added to it. For example, oriental beauties achieved interesting color shades by mixing the product with turmeric powder, coffee, and various herbal decoctions.

To make coloring not only a cosmetic procedure, but also a health one, you can add various essential oils to henna powder. The components contained in them will have a beneficial effect on the scalp, leading to the normalization of blood flow in the hair follicles.

Indian henna is another variant of the coloring product. This natural paint comes in several shades. For example, the color palette of this product is included in the following colors and shades:

• mahogany;
• gold;
• burgundy;
• chestnut;
• bitter chocolate;
• black.

The dye is widely used in India not only for dyeing hair, but also for treating it. For example, Indian beauties use it to get rid of dandruff and make hair stronger and silky.

It also helps to normalize the growth of curls. Various natural additives can be added to liquid henna diluted with water.

Colorless henna is also used for hair care. This product is suitable for women who are satisfied with their hair color but would like to improve their hair structure. Colorless henna is more of a medical product than a cosmetic one. It is used to normalize hair growth, as well as to make it beautifully smooth and silky.

It should be noted that the product does not contain color pigments. This means that when using it, there is no need to be afraid of hair coloring. Experts note that in order to achieve the desired effect, use colorless henna follows a course. If desired, during the year, you can thus "treat" the hair several times.

Product application contributes to:

• improving hair growth by enhancing blood circulation in the hair follicles;
• elimination of dandruff;
• hydration of the scalp and, as a result, a decrease in increased fat content;
• normalization of the secretion produced by the sebaceous glands;
• giving shine to curls.

For many years, it was generally accepted that henna is a product that does not suit blondes at all. However, this is not quite true. There are currently henna-based products available to help in lightening hair. This henna is called white.

Some manufacturers of this natural paint assure that through the use of the product it is possible to achieve that the curls become snow-white. However, not all women who have tried this paint agree with this.

Most henna options work well for girls with dark hair. The use of this natural paint really helps to make a unique and memorable image, while coloring can be done even at home, without the help of a master.

By using henna, you can give your hair a chocolate or caramel tint. In this case, you can dye both all curls and individual strands. Hair dyed with colored henna looks very beautiful and well-groomed. Henna from India is perfect for giving curls a beautiful brown shade.

For dark-haired women, henna and turmeric can be used to give hair a beautiful milky chocolate hue. This mixture, applied to the hair, helps to achieve a beautiful shade.

To obtain a burgundy shade, juice obtained from beets is added to henna before applying it, and if you add more juice, you can even achieve a rather bright red color with a moderate brown sheen.

Owners of chestnut-colored curls can use the product in the shade of mahogany for coloring. When using such a paint, it should be remembered that staining can add several years to the image. It is for this reason that it does not suit everyone.

There is also henna, which is brought from Iran. It gives the hair a rich red color. This natural paint can be used for those with green eyes.

Iranian lawsonia powder can be used to create an interesting palette of shades. The table shows the different combinations of mixing the dye powder with different products and the expected result of using this formulation.

Supporters of the use of natural products for hair dyeing note that such combined henna-based formulations have a beneficial effect on the condition of the curls. In their opinion, the hair becomes more "alive" and also looks well-groomed. The undoubted advantage of using such compositions is that they can be used to dye curls quite often.

Owners of light brown hair should not be upset that henna does not suit them. Currently, there are many natural paints on the market based on crushed leaves of thornless lawsonia, which are used even by blondes and girls with naturally blond hair. Through the use of such coloring products, you can give your hair a beautiful wheat or golden hair color.

Some owners of light brown curls use henna brought from Iran to dye them. But before using such a product, they add other herbal ingredients to the powder, for example, turmeric or crushed chamomile flowers. These coloring formulations are great for girls who want to give their hair a golden hue.

Coloring experts recommend that owners of light hair be careful. Sometimes it is not possible to get the desired shade through the use of henna. It also happens that it is not possible to get the result that you want on the first try.

The abundance of various natural colors can be confusing. Choosing a really good product can be difficult in some cases. Coloring experts recommend that you familiarize yourself with the different ratings of such a product before buying henna.

Zeitun's product is manufactured in Jordan.He often tops popular ratings. This natural paint has an excellent composition.

In many ratings of the popularity of various henna, products of the following manufacturers are also present:

• KHADI;
• Lady Henna;
• Aasha herbals;
• Day 2 day care;
• Chandi;
• IndiBird;
• Triuga Herbal.

Henna is a great product for home use. Such staining is quite simple to perform even on your own. This will require henna and auxiliary plant components (if desired), as well as standard staining tools.

Before applying a natural coloring agent to curls, you need to make sure that its shelf life has not expired - this will minimize the risk of possible negative consequences from the use of the product. To prevent the coloring composition from getting on your clothes, cover your shoulders with a protective cape.

If lawsonia powder is used to dye curls, then it should first be diluted with water. It is better to do this in a bowl that is not made of metal. You can use a plastic container or even ceramic to mix the ingredients. You can also use glassware.

For staining, you need to select the required amount of product. This must be done even before applying the dye composition to the hair. It is not worth storing the finished diluted henna in the refrigerator. Staining should be done with a ready-made diluted dye composition immediately after it is infused.

To dilute the powder or "steaming" it, you should use not boiling water, but water at a temperature of about 75-80 degrees. It is also allowed to dilute such a product not only with water, but also with other liquids, for example, kefir. This method is great for owners of curls prone to dryness.

The calculation of the product required for coloring depends on many factors. The amount required, for example, depends on the original thickness of the hair, as well as on its length. As a rule, in practice, every woman who uses henna for dyeing curls determines the required amount of dyeing powder on her own.

There are, however, conditional recommendations. For example, to dye short curls (up to 10-12 cm), about 100 g of dye is required. For owners of shoulder-length hair, the amount of natural dye has already doubled. To paint curls below the shoulders, usually 350-400 g of powder is required.

At this stage, you can also add various auxiliary ingredients to the henna that will help create a unique shade. For example, coffee, turmeric, or beetroot juice can be added to the coloring powder.

The finished coloring composition should have a certain consistency and resemble thick sour cream in its density. Excessive liquid addition can cause the paint to become too runny, which can run off the skin and even stain clothing.

A water bath is used to dilute the ingredients. It contributes to the fact that the components mix better with each other. At the same time, experts in hair dyeing with henna note that it is not worth replacing a water bath with a microwave.

Before applying the prepared dye composition to all hair, first it is better to treat them with just a couple of curls. In this case, you can evaluate both the finished consistency of the product and how it is distributed through the hair. Some women note that this method helps them predict the possible future result of staining.

It is better to apply the coloring composition on clean, slightly damp curls. Some women apply the product to dry hair. However, it is still recommended to rinse the hair before carrying out such home staining. This should be done using regular shampoo. Hair before applying the coloring product to them should not be dirty.

After preliminary shampooing, you do not need to apply a conditioner balm or some kind of care product to the curls.

It is recommended to dye curls first from the occipital zone. This area, as a rule, is rather difficult to paint at home. First of all, gray strands are processed. This is done so that the gray hairs can be well painted over to the desired shade.

The coloring pigments contained in henna can color not only the hair, but also the skin. It is for this reason that the product should be applied carefully, avoiding contact with the composition on the visible areas of the face. Some women, in order to reduce the risk of dark and red spots on the skin after dyeing, recommend applying a greasy cream to the face near the hairline.

It is recommended to apply the coloring composition to the hair with protective gloves. The fact is that the color pigments contained in the product can stain the skin of the hands and also make it dry.

The exposure time of the composition on the curls may be different. It is largely determined by the intensity of the desired color. If the coloring natural composition is used only for the purpose of giving the curls a moderate shade, then in this case it should be kept on the hair for 15-20 minutes. In order to fully dye the curls, it takes a little more time: usually 0.5-2 hours.

In order to remove the residues of the coloring agent, it is necessary to use water. To do this, rinse your hair thoroughly under running water. It is undesirable to use shampoo, as this can contribute to the fact that the coloring composition is completely washed off the hair. However, many women who use henna for staining still use shampoos to wash it off the curls, since they believe that this will not affect the result in any way.

After the residues of the natural dye are washed off, you do not need to use a balm or mask - this can contribute to the fact that the resulting shade on the hair changes. It is also recommended not to use such products within 3-5 days after home staining.

Henna-dyed curls need to be well looked after. In order to maintain a rich color after dyeing longer, it is recommended to use shampoos designed specifically for colored hair. Such products usually have a specific composition with components that have a gentle effect on the curls.

In order to keep the color of dyed hair saturated after applying henna, you need to protect it from direct sunlight. Various hats are perfect for this in the summer.

Various tint products can also be used to maintain the shade. Currently, there are products that contain henna. They are great for keeping the resulting shade of hair for a long time.

Henna is a fairly popular color product. Despite the abundance of modern paints, this tool is deservedly in great demand. Many women, according to reviews, use such a remedy not only to change hair color, but also to simply "treat" them.

However, among the many positive opinions, there are also negative ones.For example, some women note that henna is not used for hair dyeing, as this product does not help them achieve the desired result. Among the negative reviews, there are also those where girls note that henna, unlike some well-known hair dyes, is quickly washed off, and therefore dyeing must be resorted to quite often.

Hair dyeing specialists note that to dye curls with white henna in blond, this tool should be used several times. Only such repeated application can help to achieve the desired result. In practice, there are cases when women, even after several applications of paint, could not achieve the desired result and, as a result, were forced to buy chemical compositions or go to beauty salons.

It will not work to treat hair with white henna. Of course, this product contains relatively few components that could somehow damage the curls, but it is also impossible to argue that such a remedy heals hair.

For information on how to achieve the desired shade of hair with henna on dark hair, see the next video.