Having hair colored with henna or other herbs gives an amazing, natural effect. No wonder then that it gets more and more fans. If you’re just starting your henna hair adventure, this post is a must. Find out if the ingredient is safe, who can use henna and what kind of look this method gives.
1. Does henna and other herbs cause damage to hair?
Neither henna nor other herbs damage the hair yet applying henna may make it a tad too dry. That is why it’s so important to thoroughly rinse the hair using warm water after the treatment. The cause of dryness might be an acidic agent in the mixture. Still, you can keep the hair moisturized by using linseed mask or emollient-rich conditioner.
2. Can pregnant and breastfeeding women use herbs for hair?
Herbal hair coloring is safe for pregnant and nursing women. Manufacturers often put this piece of info in leaflets. You can consult your doctor to make sure a given hair treatment is safe.
3. Herbs vs readymade dyes
Herbal dyes are natural, and thus free from artificial, hazardous additives such as ammonia, heavy metals, parabens, SLS. They neither irritate respiratory tracts nor cause headaches. Herbs are rinsed out of your hair within a month or so.
4. Do oils rinse out henna or herbal dyes?
Some natural and drugstore oils may cause herbs to fade away so you’d better give up on coconut oil, babassu oil, shea and cocoa butters.
5. Can I mix henna with other herbs?
You can mix henna with hair-coloring herbs, however, if you’re a beginner, the creation of the right blend might be a challenge.
6. Can I use henna to lighten the hair color?
There’s no henna or herb that lightens the hair but there are natural ways to change the hair color for a lighter shade. They include using ingredients such as lemon juice, a honey-based mask or camomile rinse.
7. Can I use henna for my chemically-colored hair?
You can do that but you need to be careful if you’re blonde. If you strive for black, you need to color the hair gradually, starting from light browns. To avoid greenish shade, always pick dyes with natural ingredients.
8. Can I use henna for damaged hair?
Feel free to use henna for damaged, bleached, over-processed, highly-porous hair. You just need to be careful with an amount of the acidic agent – ideally, use the smallest amount possible. Boosting moisture levels is a must after a day or two after the treatment.
