Looking to change the color of your hair this summer? Why not use Henna.
Henna is an herb (from the leaves and shoots of the henna shrub) native to the subtropical regions of Africa, Middle East and India. Henna is a natural dye that, when applied to the hair, coats the hair with a transparent red coloring (the shade varies depending on your hair color). While adding color to your hair, henna conditions and strengthens the hair as well. It also has anti-fungal properties that help in the reduction of dandruff. Henna leaves the hair easier to detangle, soft and more manageable.
Don’t be fooled by the henna sold in hair supply stores. Natural henna can be found in health food and herbal stores, Indian markets and natural herb suppliers online. In Indian Markets, you may find packets of henna combined with other herbs to promote hair growth and strengthening of the hair or buy the Henna (powdered) by itself and mix it with your own herbs and essential oils to meet the needs of your hair. Add eggs, floral water or other natural dyes to customize your color and condition your hair.
Henna will not lighten your hair. On dark (black or brown) hair, henna provides auburn to burgundy color with red highlights that will be visible in the sunlight. For Blond hair, henna will give a natural red color. White or silver hair will have a natural to deep red color, and red hair will have a deeper, richer red color. So, if your looking for a safer way to add color to your hair, Henna is the way to go.
Henna’s history:
o Henna was also used as a healing plant and for cleansing and cooling the skin
o Ancient Egyptians would dye their hair red using henna to cover their gray
o Ancient Egyptians stained the fingers and toes of the Pharaohs and nobles before mummification
o Henna is used to create temporary body art called Mehndi. It is practiced in Pakistan, India, Morocco, Africa and currently in the western cultures(tattoos)
