Henna: Frequently Asked Questions

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Using henna and vegetable dyes is a safe way to cover gray hair without damaging our hair. We often approach this world with the fear of getting unsatisfactory results, so I have collected all your frequently asked questions about henna and herbal dyeing in one post, so that I can clarify some of the recurring doubts.

If you have any other questions, I will be happy to read you in the comments or messages, so that we can clarify your concerns and expand our guide together!

What is henna?

Henna is a dyeing powder made from the leaves of Lawsonia Inermis. henna is naturally rich in substances that nourish, give body and shine the hair as well as being of great benefit to the skin.

If you want to find out more about henna you can find some insights in this article.

What color can I get with henna?

Pure henna dyes exclusively red; the result obtained varies according to the starting color and will be more evident on white and light hair while, on dark hair, mainly reflections will be obtained.

On the market there are products often defined as blond henna, chestnut henna, black henna etc but they are actually mixes of dyeing herbs.

Can i do henna on bleached or dyed hair?

Yes, you can do henna on dyed or bleached hair, as long as you use pure henna without adding picramate.

Keep in mind that the color you get on the bleached area will be different from what you get on your natural base; to make sure you get a result you like, carry out a test on a lock of hair taken by the brush, before proceeding with the coloring of all the hair.

If you want to use pure indigo or mixes that contain it, you will have to do a double pass on bleached hair: indigo, in fact, dyes the hair blue and you could find yourself with unsightly green reflections!

Can I go back to chemical dyes or bleach my hair after henna?

Yes, but you will be so pleased with the results that you won't want to go back!

In any case, if you have used pure henna, there is no risk in returning to the chemical dye.

As for the bleaching, it depends on the herbs you used: if you only used pure henna you can safely bleach, but the final result you will get will not be blond but coppery.

Absolutely no to bleaching if you have used indigo, as you may end up with green hair!

Does henna cover white hair?

Pure henna (lawsonia inermis) covers white hair definitively, as it binds with the keratin of the hair. The final result, on white hair, will be a very intense coppery red which, however, may not please everyone.

In these cases, just mix the pure henna with other dyeing herbs, such as Katam or Indigo, which will help to soften the red by giving the hair shades of brown, chocolate or mahogany.

If you have a lot of white hair or if you want very intense dark tones, such as black / blue, raven or aubergine, it is necessary to proceed with a two-phase coloring: in a first phase we will cover the whites using only pure lawsonia, to be kept in pose for at least two hours. After rinsing we can apply pure katam or indigo, so as to obtain a more intense color. My advice is to use a percentage of lawsonia also for this second step, so as to allow the color to set better.

Can i lighten my hair with henna?

No, with dyeing herbs it is not possible to lighten. There are several methods to obtain gradual lightening in a natural way, tone on tone.

Does henna dry your hair?

Henna absorbs excess sebum and is in fact excellent in case of oily skin; on normal or dry hair it can give a drying effect but can be easily countered by adding a moisturizing gel to the mixture or applying a light, oil-free conditioner after rinsing.

I've heard that henna layers. What does it mean?

With the succession of applications, henna tends to stratify inside the hair and darken the color. This is perfect if you want to get dark and cool tones but, if you prefer a warm tone, you need to avoid layering.

You can do this by simply applying pure henna only on the roots to cover the regrowth and treat the lengths only every two months; another method is to use a different mix for the lengths, with a high percentage of Cassia to dampen the dyeing power of the henna or, again, to mix the henna with a mask or a conditioner to make a sherazade.

How is henna prepared?

Henna is made by mixing the right amount of powder with warm, not boiling water.

The ideal temperature is between 50 and 70 degrees: this will allow the henna to release the dyeing pigments in an optimal way.

The right consistency of the mixture is that of a yogurt, smooth and without lumps.

A too thick batter could lead to uneven results, while a too liquid one could drip everywhere making the laying uncomfortable.

Should I add acidic substances to henna?

According to some, the acid substances help to release more pigment and thus make the henna more coloring.

However, they are not necessary ingredients, as a good quality powder releases the color simply thanks to hot water.

The addition of acidic substances could change the henna tone, turning it into brick tones.

Personally, I don't use acidic substances in the compound because I have a sensitive scalp and I don't like having acidic substances in contact with the skin for many hours.

However, there are those who prefer the color obtained in an acid environment, so you just have to experiment to find out which mode works best on your hair.

If you use indigo, the mixture should not be acidified, as these herbs work best in a basic environment: you can add a teaspoon of salt or bicarbonate to the water with which you will prepare the mixture, to obtain very intense dark tones.

What is the shutter speed?

There are several factors that determine the shutter speed, first of all patience!

A good quality henna dyes the hair as early as 2 hours after application, but it is possible to extend it further to obtain more intense colors.

There are those who extend the application even for several hours, making nocturnal poses even for 8 or 9 hours.

If you are new to henna, I do not recommend such long poses, as you may get too intense a color or you may find that your skin is particularly sensitive to the preparation.

Start with a short exposure time: 90 minutes / 2 hours will be more than enough to understand how your hair reacts to natural pigments and, if you feel the need, you can increase the processing times from time to time.

From personal experience I advise you not to exceed 4 hours of laying, choosing more frequent applications if you prefer to intensify the color.

Can i use an oil in the henna pack?

I do not recommend it because the oil forms a film on the hair and limits the yield of the pack and dye.

I have a perm, can i do henna?

Yes, no problem!

I have hennaed hair, can i have a perm?

Yes, no problem!

Does henna damage hair?

Exactly the opposite! Henna makes them more beautiful, strong and full-bodied!

Does henna smooth curly hair?

Thick henna weighs down the hair slightly but does not smooth the curl! Indeed it disciplines and defines it!

Can I use metal tools in contact with henna?

If the henna is not pure and therefore contains picramate and clays, they should not be used.

Can henna be done with dry or wet hair?

Moist not dripping! On damp hair it extends better! Dab for good!

Is henna made with clean or dirty hair?

Better clean because like oils the sebum does not allow a maximum yield. Make a shampoo, dab well and then off with henna!

Is henna cleansing?

No, because it does not contain saponins.

Is it true that after henna I can't wash my hair for three days?

No, that's not true you can wash your hair with shampoo. In reality, it is usually not necessary because if you have washed just before using henna it is enough.

Can I use the conditioner when I take off the henna?

Yes, the henna will just discharge more but it is very convenient!

Does acid rinse alter the color?

No, not at all!

After how many washes does the color go away?

Henna binds to keratin and is therefore permanent, you will have a more faded and discharged color over time but it will not go away.

Should dyeing herbs always be done with henna?

Yes if we want to make them lasting because the lawsonia contained only in henna is the only one capable of binding to the keratin of the hair.

Do you want to find out more about henna?

With henna you can cover white hair and get the color you want!

Find out which herbs are best suited to your hair and create the color you've always dreamed of yourself!

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