Damaged hair can be the end result
of frequently using heated styling tools. Hair coloring, perming and
relaxing can also render you hair dry, lifeless and dull. Once your hair
is damaged, it can be a challenge to bring back the bounce, body and
luster. Henna is a natural way to deep condition and repair some of the
damage, making your hair healthy, shiny and full, reports The Henna
Page.
Henna
is a plant that grows in Egypt, Sudan, India and Pakistan. Women of
these countries were the first to use henna to keep their hair healthy,
reports The Henna Page. Henna stains your hair red but if you mix henna
with other plants, such as indigo, buxus, cassia or alma, the stain will
range from dark black to light brown, reports the Mehandi website.
Perform a patch test to your arm before using henna to see if you have
an allergic reaction to it.
Neutral
Henna, known as cassia obovata, grows in Egypt and Nubia. When powdered
cassia is mixed with water and applied to damaged hair, it may make
your hair thick, full, glossy and healthy. If cassia is mixed with an
acidic solution, such as orange juice instead of water, it may stain
your light hair a blonde to golden color, reports Henna for Hair.
Indigo
is a plant that will stain your hair a deep, rich auburn color when
mixed with henna. If indigo is applied to your hair after the henna is
rinsed out, it will stain your hair black. Alma, a fruit, adds gloss and
curl to damaged hair when mixed with henna or indigo, reports Henna for
Hair. Buxus, also a plant, will stain your hair brown when mixed with
henna or dark blond if mixed with cassia, reports the Mehandi website.
Henna
works by penetrating the hair shaft and binding to the keratin protein
bonds. Henna strengthens and smooths the cuticle, thickens your hair and
makes it resistant to breakage. Henna contains hennotannic acid, a
natural astringent that tightens the surface of your scalp and
strengthens the follicles grasp on each hair, reports Henna for Hair.
Only
use pure henna products. Some henna products contain metallic compounds
that may react badly with ammonia in synthetic hair dyes, resulting in
fried, brittle hair, green hair or even worse, melting your hair.
Mix
powdered henna with vinegar or lemon juice in a glass bowl. Using a
plastic or wooden spoon mix until it is the consistency of mashed
potatoes. Cover with saran wrap and allow it to sit over night. The next
day apply the henna to dry clean hair, thoroughly saturating all of
your hair. Cover your hair with saran wrap or a plastic cap and allow
the henna to stay on for a minimum or three hours or overnight. Rinse
out the henna with warm water and then end with a conditioner to get all
of the henna out of your hair, reports the website Mehandi.
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