Henna powder for hair | benefits of applying henna on hair

Benefits of henna for hair

Henna is known to be the best hair beauty ingredient that India has contributed to the rest of the world. For many years, women have utilised the power of this natural boon to nourish, strengthen, and beautify their tresses to some other level. Back then, they used the leaves of henna for several hair treatments while modern women used henna powder for hair therapy.

Among the most known benefits of henna powder for hair is that it is the best-known natural hair colouring agent and conditioner. But it is also used for many other reasons that you should seriously consider while using henna powder.

1. Henna improves hair growth

The natural properties that henna powder possesses are that it promotes hair growth. The henna powder can also be used to create an essential oil that nourishes your hair roots and encourages growth as well.

Boil about 250 ml of gingili oil until it starts smoking.

Add about 4 to 5 cups of henna powder to this oil and let it boil for another 5-6 minutes.

Now you can apply this paste of essential oil to your hair roots about 2-3 times a week.

2. It reduces hair fall

The great combination of henna powder and mustard oil is an effective remedy used for hair fall problems.

Boil about 250 ml of mustard oil.

Add some henna leaves to it and continue boiling.

Use this oil to massage down the hair roots and scalp as well 2-3 times a week.

Use this produced oil within a month.

3. Henna prevents dandruff

Using henna powder regularly on your hair and scalp cures the problem of dandruff and prevents it from coming back again and again.

Soak some methi seeds in water for a night and grind them the next morning.

Now add henna and mustard oil to this paste.

Apply this paste on the hair roots and the scalp gently.

Rinse it off properly after 25 minutes with a mild shampoo. Do not forget to condition your hair afterward for the desired glow.

4. It is a natural hair dye

If you resist using hard chemicals on your scalp but want to cover greys, henna is a natural alternative.

Add an egg and honey to the henna powder and soak this mixture in a pure iron vessel for a night to have a deeper and rich colour.

Remember to avoid applying henna on the scalp while you colour your hair as this can dry out the scalp.

Oil your hair roots adequately after this whole procedure to avoid drying.

5. It repairs splits ends

Dry, unhealthy, and damaged hair is always prone to split ends, which worsens the health of your hair. Henna breaks this vicious loop and blesses you with deeply conditioned, healthy, glowy, and nourished hair.

Make a paste of henna powder by adding about 3 teaspoonfuls of avocado oil, and an egg.

Add some water to it if it becomes too thick.

Apply this paste to your hair, and try to get every hair strand fully covered.

Keep it like this for at least 2 hours.

Rinse it off completely with lukewarm water.

6. Henna controls scalp itchiness

Henna has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that soothe your scalp and prevent any further scalp ailments like scalp itching.

Grind some of the henna leaves with half a cup of tulsi leaves and neem leaves with some water.

As it turned out to be a paste, apply this paste to your hair and scalp and wash it off properly after an hour with lukewarm water.

7. It makes your hair thick and lustrous

Regular use of henna powder on your hair roots not only prevents the problem of hair fall, but also promotes overall hair growth and provides you with hair that is healthy, shiny, thick, and lustrous.

Soak some henna powder in black tea for a night

Add half a teaspoon of lemon juice to the henna pack

You can also add an egg or some curd to this paste

Now apply this paste for 30 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

8. It can be used for Oily Scalp

When henna powder mixed with Multani mitti ensures to prevent you from hair fall problems due to an oily scalp.

Mix henna and Multani mitti with some water so that it turned out to be paste

Apply this as a hair mask and wrap it completely with a towel

Keep this as it is for a night

Wash this hair pack the next morning with the mild shampoo you usually use.

9. Henna for Dry Hair

In warm coconut milk, add some tablespoons of henna powder and olive oil to it. Make sure that the quantity of henna powder is just double the olive oil used.

Mix this ingredient until it turned out to be a paste of thick consistency

Now apply this hair pack properly on your hair roots and the scalp.

Keep it like this for about an hour and then wash it off completely from your hair with a mild sulphate-free shampoo and the conditioner

10. It maintains balance and keeps the scalp clean

Henna is known to retain the natural acid-alkaline fine balance on the scalp as it effectively removes dirt and oil without disturbing this balance, unlike other harsh chemical-based products.

How to use henna for hair?

Some brands suggest making a mixture of Henna Powder and Indigo Powder to get brown hair.

Follow the simple steps mentioned below, to get brown to reddish brown hair.

Soak the Henna Powder overnight (100 gms for short hair, 200 gms for shoulder-length hair, 300 gms for long hair) in an iron skillet preferably in Tea Water or Coffee Water.

Add a few drops of Lemon Juice if you wish. You can also add Yoghurt or Egg for additional conditioning.

Next day, apply the paste on clean hair for 2 hours.

Rinse your hair properly with water. Do not use shampoo.

Wash your hair the next day with a cleansing shampoo.

Uses of henna for hair

Traditionally, people with grey hair generally used henna to colour their hair. But henna has also been used to nourish and condition them, giving you lustrous and shiny hair. Some uses are:

It acts as a natural conditioner

It makes your hair roots stronger

It reduces hair fall

It acts as a natural dye

Applying henna on hair benefits

Henna is good for those who want to get rid of their grey hair, and people who are allergic to chemical colours and dyes. Most of us generally apply henna to protect our hair from the sun and dust. Henna can make your hair strong and nourish it from the roots.

Repair and Strengthen Hair

Henna Enhances Hair Growth

Conditions Hair

Regulates Oil Secretion

Help Prevent Dandruff

How to choose best henna for hair?

An important dyeing tip with henna is to always select a shade lighter than the colour you are willing to get, especially if you've never used henna for hair dye before.

How long should henna be kept in hair?

Apply henna for a maximum of 2-3 hours at a time, as more than that will make hair extremely dry and it will start breaking up as well. Preconditioning & shampoo should be done before the application of henna, and rinse your hair with plain water only after the process.

Disadvantages of henna on hair

Using henna to dye your hair gives plenty of pros and cons. Here’s what you need to know about the disadvantages of henna on hair:

Difficult to change hair colour

Only works for dark hair

Incorrect application can damage hair

May leave your hair feeling dry

An application can be tricky

Can cause allergy

How to apply henna?

Mix the half cup of 50g Henna powder with 1/4th cup of 60 ml warm water and stir it with a spoon to make a paste with good consistency. Cover the bowl with plastic once you are done stirring and let it develop at room temperature for about 10-12 hours. Once it is ready to be applied, add more water if required to have a thick but spreadable consistency.

Before applying Henna, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and let it dry. Do not apply conditioner, as it may prevent Henna from entering your roots properly.

Put on a headband to keep your hair out of your face and apply some coconut oil or petroleum jelly to your hairline so that the oil will create a barrier between the Henna and your skin to prevent stains.

Detangle your knots and part your hair in the centre. Wear some old clothes and drape a cloth around your neck to protect your skin from stains. If possible, wear gloves as well to protect your hands and nails.

Apply the paste to your hair in small sections and at the end, wrap plastic wrap around your hair. Wrapping will keep the Henna warm and it will let the moisture settle. Leave it on for a few hours, to get a deeper and more vibrant colour.

Wash your hair and apply a conditioner to help loosen the paste. Continue washing till the paste is completely off your hair.

The colour might take a few days to be visible so have patience.

Henna and banana hair mask

Henna and banana hair masks will act as a conditioner if applied properly. Add two tablespoons of Henna powder with water and mix it in a bowl and let it soak for a night. The next morning, add a ripe banana into the bowl and mash it to make a paste. Apply it liberally on your hair and leave it for 5 minutes. Wash your hair with cold water and repeat using this hair mask every once a week.

Henna and amla hair mask

Mix one cup of amla powder with 3 tablespoons of Henna powder, add some water and stir to make a paste. Add egg white and two tablespoons of lemon juice and let it soak for about an hour. You can add two tablespoons of fenugreek powder as well to make the hair mask more effective. Apply this directly to your roots and hair strands and leave it on for 45 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and repeat it once a week to prevent hair loss.

Take Away

Henna builds a protective layer for each hair strand guarding it against any kind of damage. To get thick and lustrous locks, apply Henna once a week. Henna prevents split ends and clogging of pores due to its antifungal properties. It helps in boosting scalp health as well.

Maintains a pH balance to stop hair loss and promotes healthy hair growth but if you have tried all kinds of treatments for your hair loss and still haven’t found a remedy, then you need to check out our Hair Regrowth Treatment, which will help you to reactivate your hair follicles and is clinically proven for hair regrowth. The solution is alcohol-free and trusted by dermatologists all across the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does henna help hair growth?

The natural properties of henna help boost hair growth. The powder can be used to make an essential oil that nourishes and enhances growth.

2. Does henna make hair thicker?

The tannin present in henna actually binds with the hair to make it stronger and does not even penetrate the hair cortex, ensuring minimum damage. This ensures thicker, lustrous hair with each application.

3. How often should you apply henna on hair?

You can reapply henna every 3-4 weeks for full coverage. Typically, henna stains last till your hair strands fall off or grows out. Therefore, the frequency of application usually depends on how fast your hair grows, especially if you are using henna to cover your grey hair.

References

Henna through the centuries: a quick HPTLC analysis proposal to check henna identity

Study of colouring effect of herbal hair formulations on graying hair