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Henna is one of the hair care ingredients that Indians have shared with the rest of the world. Indian women have been using henna for years, if not centuries, to care for their luscious locks. If you are allergic to chemical dyes and want to get rid of grey hair naturally, henna should be your go-to ingredient.
It is loaded with tannins, a plant compound that is responsible for the rich coloring of tea. But you will discover multiple benefits of henna beyond dying. Let’s learn more about how the henna powder is useful for your hair and how you can use it to get the maximum benefits.
List of Benefits of Henna for Good Hair
1. Improves Scalp Condition
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Henna is the perfect ingredient to take care of your scalp and make it better. The cooling, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties of henna are great for improving the texture of your scalp. If your scalp feels itchy, you will get much relief from applying henna powder. Moreover, it can also help prevent scalp irritation and other fungal infections.
2. Conditions Your Hair
If you use henna powder, it serves as a natural conditioner. The nourishing properties of henna will repair damage to the hair shaft. Henna will seal the hair cuticles to ensure that they can retain more moisture.
Adding ingredients like yoghurt or egg with henna will improve the moisturising properties of henna. It will also improve the strength and elasticity of your hair so that it can’t break off easily. As a result, split ends in your hair will reduce, and your locks will start repairing naturally.
3. Increases Hair Growth
Henna is one of the best ingredients for your scalp because it can improve the growth of hair follicles. Moreover, it can also make your hair follicles more healthy. As a result, hair fall will be reduced, and the rate of hair growth will get a boost.
4. Prevents Dandruff
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Henna can help eliminate excess dirt or oil from your scalp. Applying henna to your hair regularly will fix the issue of dandruff. Moreover, it will also help prevent dandruff from coming back. Applying a paste of methi seeds, henna, and mustard oil is the perfect way to keep dandruff at bay.
5. Balances Oil and pH Production
Henna is one of the best ingredients for people with an oily scalp. Henna will take care of sebaceous glands that produce too much oil. Moreover, it can also restore the natural acid-alkaline level or the pH balance of your hair. Consequently, you will get healthier hair follicles.
6. Gets Rid of Oxidative Stress
An imbalance in the development of free radicals in the body can trigger oxidative stress. Apart from hampering other parts of your body, oxidative stress also brings a negative impact on your hair. It can lead to hair damage, breakage, loss, and even premature hair greying. The antioxidant properties of henna are useful for reducing oxidative stress.
7. Protects Natural Hair Colour
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Henna is often used by women who want to dye their hair. But the best henna for hair can improve the natural pigment of your hair. It will help prevent premature greying and also make your locks look thicker and more lustrous.
8. Softens Your Hair
Henna comes with multiple nutritional properties that can transform your dry, damaged, and unhealthy hair. Once you apply henna to your hair, you will notice your locks becoming softer. As a result, your hair will also become more easily manageable.
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How to Apply Henna to Your Hair?
Henna is usually available in powder form that needs to be mixed with other water and other ingredients for added benefits. The paste should be applied to dry hair. If you want optimum results, you should apply natural henna on hair and keep it overnight.
If you are applying henna in the morning, you should wash it off after waiting for 4 to 5 hours. Applying henna in the morning and sitting under the sun is a great idea. The heat helps the colour to penetrate deeper.
You should wear gloves because henna leaves stains. Also, cover your clothes with a towel or sheet to avoid getting them stained. But even if you end up spilling a few drops on your clothes, no worries because the stains are permanent and go away after a few washes.
Steps to Mix Henna
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- Step 1: Take a ceramic bowl to mix your ingredients. Mixing henna in metal bowls can lead to undesirable reactions that can be harmful to your skin.
- Step 2: Add a spoonful of water to a cup of henna powder to create a thick paste like pancake batter.
- Step 3: Choose a nourishing ingredient of your choice for added benefits.
- Step 4: Pour some drops of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice into the mix.
- Step 5: Cover the bowl and keep it overnight. If it’s summertime, you can keep the mix inside the fridge.
How to Apply Henna in Hair?
- Take a few stands of your hair from the center of your head and start applying henna using a brush.
- Cover your entire scalp with henna.
- Keep gathering your hair at the top using a hair clip as you continue applying with a brush.
- After you have covered all your locks, wear a shower cap or polythene bag to cover your scalp.
- Leave it on your hair for around five hours or more, depending on how dark you want the colour to be.
While if you are looking to make your hair healthy then do check out our range of best ayurvedic hair oils.
How to Wash the Henna Dye from Your Hair?
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- Step 1: Rinse the henna slowly with cool water.
- Step 2: Don’t shampoo during the first wash. Allow the colour to settle in for 24 hours, and then shampoo your hair.
- Step 3: Wipe your hair using a towel and let it dry naturally.
Is Henna Good for Dry Hair?
Henna is often considered unsuitable for dry hair because it can aggravate dryness. But if you have dry hair, you can still apply henna after adding a few moisturising agents like flax seeds, fenugreek seeds, and aloe vera gel.
After washing your hair, you can oil your hair to compensate for the lost moisture. Oiling your hair is also great for making the colour deeper and richer.
Easy to Make Henna Hair Packs
If you want to extract the maximum benefits from henna powder, you can make different hair packs with household ingredients. Some common henna hair packs that you can make at home are as follows:
Henna and Amla Hair Pack
Ingredients:
- 1 cup amla juice
- 3 tablespoons henna powder
- 2 tablespoons fenugreek powder
- 1 lemon
The protein-filled nourishing pack is great for reducing hair fall and increasing hair growth. Eggs are equipped with protein, which can improve hair health. Fenugreek can reduce hair loss and clean the scalp. Amla juice and henna powder are essential for reducing hair loss.
Henna and Coffee Hair Pack
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Ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons henna powder
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon instant black coffee
- Aluminium foil
Henna can add an orangish or reddish tint to your hair. But if you want a darker shade, you need to add coffee to your henna powder mix. Coffee mixed with henna powder can add a dark brunette shade to your locks.
Henna, and Curd Pack
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons henna powder
- 1 tablespoon curd
The hair pack can improve the lustre of your locks and make them more manageable. Rich in proteins, the henna hair pack comes with various nourishing properties. It can serve as a mild cleanser to get rid of all impurities from your scalp without drying it.
Henna and Coconut Milk
Ingredients:
- 10 tablespoons henna powder
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup coconut milk
This henna hair pack is perfect for people with dry hair. Coconut milk has nourishing properties and can also strengthen your hair. You will often notice coconut milk in a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners. Using this pack will ensure that henna doesn’t dry your luscious locks.
Henna and Multani Mitti
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Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons henna powder
- 2 tablespoons multani mitti
People with oily scalps should apply this henna hair pack. The henna pack can help control hair loss due to excessive oil production. Multani mitti is also great for removing dirt, grease, and impurities from your scalp.
Also, Do check our guide on using Multani mitti for hair
Conclusion
Henna has been used for taking care of hair in India since ancient times. The natural ingredients present in henna have been scientifically proven as healthy for hair growth. But adding a few more ingredients to henna can further enhance its benefits. Check out the Zanducare website to buy ingredients like apple cider vinegar and amla juice to extract the maximum benefits of henna.
FAQ's
Is henna safe for all hair types?
Yes, henna is safe for all hair types. However, it is recommended to do a patch test if you are using it for the first time.
How often should you use henna on your hair?
The frequency of henna application depends on how often you want to refresh the color of your hair. Generally, it is recommended to use henna every 4 to 5 weeks.
Does henna cause any side effects?
Henna is generally safe to use, but it is important to perform a patch test on a small area of your hair to ensure it suits your scalp.
How can I enhance the color results of henna?
Adding lemon juice or vinegar to the henna mix can enhance its effectiveness.
