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How to dye gray hair with henna

Henna does not cover gray hair – it is written on the product box and is part of the culture of hair coloring. But times have changed. And it’s no longer a choice between going gray or using a commercial hair dye.

There are two ways to cover gray hair with henna.

1. Henna kits made specifically for gray hair.

2. Using pure henna powder in a whole new way.

Henna kits for gray hair

Most henna kits for gray hair are a 2-step process. The hair is first coated with a natural, non-toxic preparative mixture. This helps gray hair become more receptive to henna.

There is also premixed henna cream on the market that covers gray hair. Most, however, take 2-3 applications before gray hairs are completely covered. Some products, like Surya Henna Creamthey are easier one-step processes that claim to cover gray hair on the first application.

Henna, as you probably know, covers the hair. It does not open or roughen the hair shaft like most commercial dyes do. And because gray hair tends to be coarser and more slippery than pigmented hair, henna tends to take away gray hair. This is why henna is classified as a semi-permanent hair color. Even the best henna application wears off a bit with each shampoo. And that’s why most boxes of 1-Step Henna Powder will warn against using it on gray hair.

pure henna powder

Most henna users are already familiar with this green powder. It comes in a plastic bag (some buy in bulk) and is made from the leaves of the Lawsonia tree. To create different colors, other natural ingredients are added, such as walnuts or cloves.

If you have gray hair and want to use pure henna, you can. It’s a long process, but it worked for me and I’ll never go back to anything else. Light Mountain Henna It is good like many other brands.

Before starting

Do a strand test. If you cut your hair, save a curl to use for the strand test. Otherwise, cut a bit of hair under or behind so the cut doesn’t show. Hold the hair sample with an elastic band and carry out the entire coloring process with this strand. This is important because it is the only way to calculate the rest time. Unlike commercial hair dyes, henna varies widely in how long you’ll want to leave it on to achieve your desired color. The time to dye gray hair can be from 2 to 6 hours.

Another reason for the strand test: to make sure the final color is what you want. Henna on gray hair will come out lighter than henna on pigmented hair. Henna on blonde hair is hit or miss. The strand test will let you know.

A note on buying henna. Please read the ingredients carefully before purchasing. Make sure there is nothing on the list that you do not understand. Any hair color that contains PPD (p-phenylenediamine, sometimes labeled paradiaminobenzene, paraaminoaniline, p-aminoaniline, paradiaminobenzene, or PPDA) is prohibited for health and safety reasons. However, most henna you find at a reputable health food store will be pure and safe. Hennas purchased online often list their ingredients and I encourage you to read them.

Ready, Set, Go

  • The first step is to apply a line of emollient to the forehead. This will prevent the henna from staining your face.
  • Next, mix brown base henna powder in a non-metallic container, with freshly boiled water. Add a couple of beaten eggs if you like, to help keep the mixture sticky. Slowly add more hot water until the mixture is a smooth, thick paste.
  • Apply to clean, dry hair free of styling products, conditioners, sprays, or moisturizers. This is a key.
  • Apply to the roots first, as you would a commercial hair dye, but use more product, at least a golf ball-sized dollop of paste each time you comb through your hair and apply. Each strand of hair must be completely covered with henna. Wear the plastic gloves that are included in the package and apply with your hands to get the most coverage. Continue parting your hair into 1/4-inch rows, rubbing the henna into the hair, until all of the gray is covered.
  • Yes, henna will stain your scalp, but it’s non-toxic and you’ll wash your scalp (not your hair) with a shampoo or two.
  • After covering the gray with the paste, apply the remaining henna to the rest of the hair if desired.
  • Cover your head with a plastic cap and cover the cap with a towel.
  • Once an hour (or less, if you’re short on down time), remove the towel and plastic cap and mist the henna pack lightly with water. Put the cap back on and manually (but gently) rub the hair to draw moisture into the scalp and ensure that each strand of hair remains covered with henna. Reapply the towel.
  • You may want to bake the color even further, using a heating cap or hooded hair dryer for 10 minutes every hour.
  • When the time is up, rinse the henna out of your hair with warm (not hot) water. Your hair may be very tangled: that’s normal for now. So be gentle, don’t rub or pull. Apply a small amount of mild conditioner, such as of jason Prayed Aveda Color Preserveand rinse it off after about 30 seconds. Do not use shampoo at this point.

For more details and product recommendations, check out My Makeup Mirror [http://www.mymakeupmirror.com/HennaOverGray.html]

How to prevent your henna from fading

Wait at least 2 days before your first shampoo. After that, if you can shampoo every other day instead of every day, that will better preserve your new color. Make sure to use a color safe shampoo. Some brands to try are purology, aveda, Jason, ArbonneY IrrigationAmong many others.

Note: I wouldn’t recommend too many styling products. Many of them pull color. But if you have a leave-in conditioner that you know won’t remove the henna in your next shampoo, go ahead and use it to detangle your hair and protect it from the heat of styling.

Your new hair color should be beautiful, shiny, and healthy. Because henna coats the hair, it makes it look thicker. And best of all, he’s dyed his gray hair without harming himself or the environment.

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