Does Henna Come in Colors? Pure Henna, created in the henna plant with the scientific name Lawsonia inermis, is known as red henna, and might leave a wealthy, red brown colour. If mixed with another plant derivatives, then you might find all types of different shades while keeping your dye job entirely natural. If your henna hair dye additionally has indigo -that may be also called black henna- inside for instance, you may get shades which range in rich dark brown, to jet black. Other natural compounds that henna hair color might have, or which you may try mixing in your own personal henna mix are cassia, tea, coffee, paprika, turmeric, lemon juice, and lots of others.
Evidently, your natural hair color might have a substantial impact on the way your henna hair color treatment will appear, if you’re very dark haired and wish to go blond, for example, you should get your hair digitally lightened first. Hair dyes made from plant products cannot lighten hair very much. Aside from that, if you’re open minded, ready to experiment a little, and will not head lugging round the web for recipes for henna hair color mixes, you might become almost any color possible, from blonde, to red, to black. Indigo and cassia could be own natural ingredients, but be careful about fake henna products and a number of the other additives which some pre mixed henna hair dyes may have. For instance, some products touted as black henna may not be in the indigo plant, but may contain a jet black dye known as para phenylenediamine, or PPD. This synthetic chemical stains quickly and deep, however it may also cause serious allergy that may make an individual permanently very sensitive to certain dyes and chemicals.
My experience with natural henna has been pretty positive. When dying your hair, always remember to cover it with a shower cap to keep it moist or you can also use saran wrap. Follow the instructions, but personally I always keep the dye on for at least 1.5 hours. For black dye, the color will continue to develop on your hair for up to 48 hours after the treatment. One thing that I have learned is that sometimes you can get a purple hue when the dye starts to wear off. To remedy this, you can add a little lemon juice to the mixture. I have been adding about a teaspoon of lemon juice to my mixture. This also does slow down the process of dying the hair so you many have to leave it on for a little longer.
As far as skin irritation goes, I have not yet experienced any ill effects. I have sensitive skin and the chemical hair treatments have either burned or caused swelling on my skin in the past when left on too long. With henna, no staining or skin irritation have been experienced so far.
Here is a video demonstration of applying black henna to your hair.
This is the particular brand that I use here.
