Henna: The Eighth Great Wonder of The World

Henna is a natural plant coloring for the hair, made from the powdered leaves of a desert shrub plant called Lawsonia. This plant is dried and ground into a powder.  Henna contains hannatannic acid which, when mixed with hot water, will coat the hair strands. It seals in oils and tightens the hair cuticle, thickening the strands and giving your hair a rich, healthy shine.

Contrary to belief, Henna has no lightening action, so the shade that you achieve will depend on your hair color.  It is applied as a mud and washed out after 1 to 3 hours. Its effects will last up to 3 months. My hair has very fine and extremely soft strands, so Henna has been wonderful for me in terms of giving my hair additional thickness and volume. 

What Type of Henna Should You Buy?

I’ve been asked by several people where I find my Henna. I order my Henna from Mehndiskinart.com. It is "body art quality" Jamilla Henna, which is the highest quality Henna available. You don't have to order the Jamilla brand, as I have, but you need to make certain that you check with your seller and insure that it is body art quality. Henna that is NOT body art quality is what leads to people’s hair falling out, when it reacts with chemicals in your relaxer or previous dye jobs. It instantly can cause the hair to melt out, like an strong relaxer! Frightening thought, isn’t it? So do make sure you select body art quality Henna. There are several brands of body art quality Henna available, so do your research and find Henna that is right for you.

After selecting your Henna, you need to come up with your mix. Basically, the Henna will arrive in the mail in a powder form. It is up to you to get the Henna to a thick, but moist, mud or relaxer-consistency type of mixture. People do this through numerous ways.... some add water, oils, yogurt, or conditioner.   The yogurt or conditioner is often used interchangeably. Water and oils alone won’t really give it the creamy, relaxer consistency.... that’s why folks opt for yogurt or conditioner. Since Henna naturally DRIES the hair out, I choose to use a moisturizing conditioner (SUAVE) in the hopes of combating this. Other folks have had luck with yogurt, which they also have stated is moisturizing. It’s up to you.  Then you can add your favorite oils of choice. Again, this is optional. Some people just add water. I happen to love coconut oil, because it smells so nice!!! I also use Amla oil, which is an Indian oil that is suppose to promote growth and also be very conditioning. And then I add Jamaican Black Castor Oil, which is supposed to help thicken your strands over time. Essentially, you must create a mix that best suits you and meets your needs.

For those who are seeking color release, you must add ingredients to your mixture that will promote color release, i.e. lemon/lime juice, wine, or acidic product of your choice. Then you must let the mixture sit for several hours before using. This will promote color release.

Creating the Henna Mix Right For YOU

*This is a very messy process, so be certain that any good bathroom towels and rugs are covered with something old. You'll also want to survey the walls/shower curtain/toilet seat thoroughly afterward, because chunks of the Henna paste are prone to fall from your hands and/or hair.*

My Henna Mix (For Conditioning Only):

2 100 gms boxes Jamila Henna Powder
3 tbsp Amla Oil
6 tbsp EVOO
6 tbsp Honey
6 tbsp Coconut Oil
1 1/2 bottles Suave Milk & Honey Conditioner (or enough to achieve wet, relaxer-like consistency)

I apply the Henna to my hair immediately after I mix. I do not let the Henna mix sit, as I am trying to minimize color release. I am using the Henna for the conditioning aspect alone.

Once the Henna is mixed, I separate hair into small sections then, using my hands, apply paste to the length of the hair (root to tip) as though I were applying a virgin relaxer. I work the Henna in throughout, then put on a plastic cap. I sit for 1 hour (no heat) before rinsing out. After the hour is up, I rinse my hair out in the shower, then shampoo and deep condition. The end result is thicker, stronger hair, with NO color change.

My Henna Mix (For Color Release):

2 100 gms boxes Jamila Henna Powder
Lemon Juice
Hot Water

*I do not add any oils or conditioner to this mixture, as this may impede the color release*

After mixing the ingredients, I let the mixture sit from 1-3 days in the refrigerator. This time my goal is to maximize color release, as well as strengthen and condition.

When I am ready to use the Henna I remove it from the fridge and let it sit out for about 20 minutes, to get to room temperature. I don't use any heat. I separate hair into small sections then, using my hands, apply paste to the length of the hair (root to tip) as though I were applying a virgin relaxer. I work the Henna in throughout, then put on a plastic cap. I sit for 2 hours (no heat) before rinsing out. After the hour is up, I rinse my hair out in the shower, then shampoo and deep condition. The end result is thicker, stronger hair, with some color change (usually a reddish/brown color).

If your goal is to darken your hair black, then you need to order Indigo, which is the natural formula that you add for black color release. I was actually thinking about dying my hair jet black for the new year, and in that case I would add the Indigo to my mix. Black hair looks so gorgeous, doesn’t it? Plus, to me it makes the hair appear thicker, shinier, and healthier.

Click this link to view various Henna mixes with Before and After pics.

I Was Once Anti-Henna!

It’s funny actually, because I was "Anti-Henna" for a LONG time. Henna was the rage across the hair boards for a while.... But I simply ignored the whole craze, because I felt that my regimen was solid: my hair was healthy and growing..... and I didn’t feel that I should add anything new or complicated to my regimen. Henna just seemed like too much “drama,” if you will. Having to make your own mixture and so forth...... I was initially afraid of the color release...... too messy.....the whole thing just turned me off. I knew it was supposed to be the "best kept secret" in the Indian community but, honestly, I just couldn’t be bothered.......

Then I saw a few folks' Before and After pics.... and that caused me to change my tune altogether! LOL!! And I did it....... and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy with my hair after Henna'ing. Truthfully, I feel like I have a whole new head of hair..... when I look in the mirror, and at my pictures..... I don’t even feel like it’s me.  As I stated earlier, my hair has always been super fine, soft, and thin.  With Henna, I feel as though my hair has done a 180.

I think you'll be happy with the results!!! It’s very conditioning, and as long as you don’t over-due it with protein treatments simultaneously you shouldn’t have any problems with dryness or breakage. Just make sure to continue to moisturize daily and keep treating your hair like fine, imported silk!

Fine Textured Hair Before Henna:

Fine Textured Hair After Months of Henna:

Dr. Yakini is a clinical psychologist and freelance lifestyle writer living in Brooklyn, NY.  She owns and edits Girly Home Webzine®, the online magazine for ladies living siddity in the city. 

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Comments

[natie_101]

I Just bought Henna today for 1.99. It is a green box
100g / 3.5 oz
ZARQA
Black Henna
Produce of Pakistan
Manzoor A-1
........................................................
Is this the right henna for my hair? (picture is in myfotki) on bhm

I would like to make my hair black..

I bought this box at the indian store and the lady told me it's for the hair.. and that I should apply it with either cofee or tea and sleep with it over night and rinse it out...

I have many questions because this is my first time using Henna and I am not sure what to do or if i still want to use it.

I want to let you know that I DO NOT WANT TO TRY ANYTHING THAT WILL DAMAGE MY HAIR NOR MAKE IT DRYY... so if this henna is any damaging please let me know...

So here are my questions:

1) Is Henna damaging in ANY way?

2) How can henna not be a dye if it changes the color of your hair?

3) Is henna a hair dye?

4) Is it really that hard to get henna out of your hair (rinsing it out)?

5) How long does it last?

6) How can I henna my hair BLACK ONLY?

7) Do I have the right henna ? Is this the right one for my hair ? in my fotki in bhm mi username is natie_101

8) Will henna dry out my hair in any way? (my hair is relaxed)

9) Will henna make my hair weaker since it is already chemically treated (relaxed)

10) Is henna SAFE?

11) What am I risking? any consequences?

I posted the picture of the Henna that I bought in my fotki... I heard that If you do not buy the henna for body art it will break your hair. Plz tell me if the henna that I bought is the right one and thank you for your time I really appreciate it.

[Erica Jones]

How often do I henna my hair? Also, how far apart should I use a protein treatment in relation to henna'ing.

Thanks,

Erica

[Jewel]

I also would like to know how often should one use a henna mix, as well as a protein treatment?

[akie]

dr.Yakini,i love your hair it's so long and healthy looking.I VISIT YOUR FOTKI HERE AND THERE FOR TIPS.i have the same texture hair as you and i have quetions.What type of relaxer do you use?do you use regular or super?what did you do for shedding?what supplements are you currently taking?do you still take msm?are you still following your strict hair care regimen?thanks