How Long To Keep Henna On The Hair & The Right Way To Apply

If you are planning to color your hair without the risk of chemicals, henna is your best bet. In this article, we teach you how to color your hair with henna. It is an all-natural dye derived from a tree. You can use it alone or with other herbs to color the hair (1).

Henna gives your hair a reddish-brown tinge. If applied properly, it can do miracles for your hair without any risk of side effects. Scroll down to know more!

Fun Fact

The oldest evidence of henna usage was found on the mummy of Egyptian queen Ahmose-Henuttamehu, around 6000 years ago.

How Henna Colors Your Hair

The dyeing benefits of henna is due to the presence of laws one, a colorant (2). This naturally-occurring chemical reacts with your hair’s keratin protein to leave a strong stain that tends to last until the skin or hair is shed.

But how strong is this staining? Let’s understand if this dye is permanent in the section below.

Is Henna Dye Permanent?

Henna dye is not permanent. Unlike chemical dyes, this is a natural hair dye derived from the henna plant that stains the hair shaft without penetrating the cortex. Henna gradually fades over time due to washing and exposure to elements, typically lasting several weeks to a few months. However, henna is semi-permanent and can become more resistant to fading with multiple applications. It also gradually fades without leaving noticeable roots, offering a more natural transition. To maintain the color, individuals often reapply henna periodically, allowing them to adjust shades or explore different colors without a long-term commitment.

Let’s now find out the ideal timing to keep henna on your hair in the next section.

How Long Should You Leave Henna On Your Hair?

The ideal time for keeping henna on your hair depends on the final result you are aiming for. For highlights, you may leave the henna on your hair for 1-3 hours, depending on the intensity of the color you want. If you are looking for a deep, rich color or want to cover gray hair, keep the henna on your hair for 3-4 hours.

The time is taken for henna takes to stain your hair also depends on the mixture’s strength and how you prepare it. For best results, mix henna with lukewarm water and let the thick paste sit, covered, for a few hours before using it.

Note: Do not keep henna on your hair beyond 5 hours to prevent dryness and scalp sensitization.

Trivia

Anecdotal evidence suggests that adding a paste of indigo and amla powders to henna can help achieve darker hair shades.

What Happens If You Leave Henna On Your Hair For Longer?

The longer you leave the henna paste on your hair, the more the lawsone molecules migrate into keratin to produce rich and saturated color. Generally, 5 hours are considered sufficient for maximum absorption of henna.

However, herbal hair dyes tend to rehydrate themselves by absorbing moisture from the hair. Thus, if you keep the henna mix on your hair for an unnecessarily long period, it may dry out your scalp and hair, leading to irritation.

Note: Test the henna paste on a small patch of your hair to find how it responds to the dye.

Wondering how long your henna hair color can last before your next application? Check out our answer in the following section.

How Often Should You Reapply Henna?

You can reapply henna every 3-4 weeks for full coverage. Typically, henna stains last until your strands fall off or your hair grows out. Therefore, the frequency of application depends on how fast your hair grows, especially if you are using henna to cover gray hair. You may also reapply henna on the same day after your first application as it is devoid of chemicals.

A blogger recalls her personal experience of dying her hair naturally with henna. She provides a detailed walkthrough of what henna is, where to get it from, and how to use it. She shares an extended take on the procedure of preparing henna for hair dye, and the ingredients required, and provides a step-by-step tutorial. She adds, “From what I have read, the more you use henna, the more red your hair will become over time. It seems that you can use henna as often as you like without having to worry about hair damage (i).”

However, you need to apply henna on your hair correctly to get the best results. Read on to find the instructions to apply henna the right way.

How To Apply Henna On Your Hair The Right Way

1. Shampoo and dry your hair before the henna application process. Do not condition your hair as the conditioner coats the hair and can block the henna from entering the hair shaft.
2. If you want highlights, apply the mixture directly to the areas that you wish to highlight.
3. For greater coverage, section your hair in layers and apply the henna paste.
4. Tie your hair into a tight bun after covering all the layers.
5. Wear a shower cap to avoid spillage. This will also keep the mixture warm and activate the dye faster.
6. Wait for a few hours, depending on the results you want.
7. Wash your hair with room temperature water or use a conditioner to rinse the dried paste.
8. Reapply henna whenever the roots need a touch-up.

Precaution: Henna stains your skin. Always apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly on your skin around the hairline to avoid staining.

Infographic: Things To Keep In Mind While Applying Henna To Your Hair

Henna is a natural dye with numerous advantages, including dandruff reduction, scalp nourishment, and hair conditioning. However, you should be mindful of certain things if you want to get the most out of it. Check out the infographic below for some excellent tips on applying henna to your hair.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you leave the henna on your hair overnight?

No, it is not a good idea to leave the henna on your hair overnight, as it can dry out your hair and scalp.

Can I shampoo my hair after applying henna?

No. Do not use a shampoo within 48 hours after applying henna. However, you can opt for color-safe shampoos if it gets hard to rinse the dried paste.

Is henna healthier than hair dye?

Yes. According to anecdotal evidence, henna is healthier than regular hair dye since it contains no chemicals and may be replete with nourishing compounds.

Does adding coffee to henna make it darker?

Possibly not. According to anecdotal evidence, coffee does not impart any color but may merely add a strong aroma to your henna dye.

Does henna cause hair thinning?

There is a lack of scientific evidence suggesting that the use of henna may lead to hair thinning.

Does applying henna cause gray hair?

There is a lack of scientific evidence suggesting that the use of henna may lead to graying of hair.

Can I mix henna with coconut oil?

Yes. Adding a few spoonfuls of coconut oil to your henna can help moisturize your dry hair. Coconut oil will not hinder dye uptake.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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