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. For generations, people have utilized henna, a natural dye made from the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant, for both hair coloring and hair nourishing. Henna is a safer substitute for synthetic dyes when trying to nourish and enhance hair color because it does not contain harmful chemicals. 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.

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

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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.

Note: Before applying henna, it’s recommended to do a strand test to get the best results. This will help you identify the ideal duration for your hair type and desired color.

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.

The length of time you leave henna in your hair determines how many advantages it offers, including better scalp health and natural conditioning. Scroll down to know its hair benefits.

Benefits Of Using Henna For Hair

Beyond being a natural hair color, henna has many other uses. They include:

• Natural Conditioning: Henna not only gives hair color, but it also strengthens it and lessens breakage.

• Scalp Health: Because of its antibacterial qualities, it effectively treats dandruff and soothes the scalp.

• Eco-Friendly: Henna is a natural hair care solution that is free of synthetic chemicals and biodegradable, making it an environmentally friendly option.

Are there any other effects of leaving henna on your hair for a long time? Find out below.

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.

It is also important to remember that overapplication may result in color accumulation, which over time may alter the desired shade. Examine the condition of your hair on a regular basis to prevent negative effects.

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?

Many people regularly use henna for hair growth. 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. Make sure there are no oils or styling products in your hair, since they may prevent the henna’s ability to adhere to your hair correctly.
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.

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. If you want henna darker, learn how to use henna and Indigo to dye your hair black.

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. Rather, many people use henna on gray hair to get a head of black 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.

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

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Transform your hair with henna. Watch this video to know how to apply henna for vibrant and healthy locks. Don’t miss out, start your henna journey today.

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Ghanima AbdullahCosmetologist

   

A cosmetologist from Chicago, IL, Ghanima lives in the Caribbean. As a beauty consultant and stylist with 40 years of experience, she has been in the beauty industry for a few decades, doing makeup and hair. Being a formulator, she has her eye on new ingredients in the market and their uses.

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