HENNA- AS A HAIR DYE

Henna..
Henna..has been used since ages as a hair colourant. Henna,as mehandhi has been used for skin dyeing since ancient times to dye skin, as a temporary tattooing on hands,fingers and hair.

• The name is also used for other dyes too,black henna and chemicals mixed henna, which are not derived from mehandi plant.
• Henna is a tall shrub or small tree,multiple branched cultivated in sub tropical regions  of Africa,Southern Asia and Northern Australia.
• Henna.. is an herbal option.. for those who are allergic to chemical based hair dyes, considered by many Indian women for colouring their grey hair.

• Some hair dressers say,that henna is not safe,but for REAL HENNA it is not true.
• Henna and Black henna is different.Black henna is chemical based .

• Natural henna may be herbal,until unless any colouring chemicals are added.We have to rely on them.
• As some henna powders have metallic compounds that react with the ammonia activator in synthetic hair dyes. So,Buy henna only from reputable sources to avoid this,or go natural.
• Experts say,that instead of relying on the henna powders directly wet grind the mehandi leaves with water and apply to the hair.
• It gives a dark red/brown colour to the grey hair when kept for longer periods.
• For light brown/shade remove/wash in one hour only. 
• Henna dries out the hair and causes it to be brittle in the long run,it is not an good idea to henna for a long time, say years together.
• Next compulsorily- To avoid dryness,use a moisturizer or oil  to soften the henna hair.
• After applying henna,as a hairdye for more than one hour your hair will become brownish/reddish.Only selective people like the shade.
• In my view,when you have grey hair upto 25% to 50% then henna is useful to you much,as the hair totally looks well,and you can retain upto 1to 2 hours.
• But when you have grey hair more than 75% of your total hair,then you have to think ,as it looks red/brown tinge.
• Those who are allergic to respiratory problems and asthamatics,may suffer due to cold and coughs and pneumonia due to the wet henna on the hair for a long period. 
• The problem with regularly hennaing is the duration of the  time,dryness and brittle hair,the red/brown colour and lastly prone to cold allergies.

Henna  as a hair dye..

• Go natural,by using self made henna powder/paste,or purchase from a reputable known shop.Or you can get the henna leaves, and dry them and powder them and store them in a airtight container for people who has the oppurtunity.
• Mix henna powder,with tea decoction/instant coffee powder,a night before.
• Before applying add whole egg(if u can tolerate the smell)/egg whites,mix well and apply on the hair.
• Keep on your hair for 1 and 1/2 hours to 2 hours.
• Moisturize.. after you henna your hair compulsorily go for moisturizing your hair ,which softens your henna hair.
• Moisturize your hair with  eggs,or curds or coconut milk ,herbal oil and keep your hair clean with regular  headbaths.

• Apply a conditioner,and keep your hair under condition..

  

Highlights ..

• You can also go for highlights, and highlight colour all grey hair.
• So the rest of your hair will stay healthy, being your greyhair is covered with highlights, and your hair will look gorgeous.
   

Hair dye/ Hair colour..

• Go for a temporary, mild and gentle, herbal hair colourant,which just deposits colour on grey hair without impacting natural hair.
•  Best go for the gentle hair colour that you can find in the market, especially if your hair is grey.
• If you have more grey hair go for a hair colour.
• Do not use hair dyes which contain ammonia, go for ammonia free hairdyes..
• But they do contain hydrogen peroxide ,but hydrogen peroxide is less damaging for the hair.
• See that dyes do not contain parabens and sulphates too.
• Select for mild colourants ,and do not go for permanent hair colour which lasts for 5 to 6 weeks. 

• It is a confusion.. to select henna or a hair dye,but it is up/left  to personal .
• Hair loss may be due to many reasons,check them without getting panic,and come to a decision.
• Shedding normally upto 50 to 100 hairs a day may be normal.

I have a collection of tips from many sources, which I edit, and make an article for my blog.