Only TRUE henna should be used. Any of those products that say you can get different colors have nasty chemicals in them. You can mix henna with other products that are close to henna such as indigo which , when mixed with henna, produces different shades of brown (depending on how much of each you use) . The only dye I now use on my hair is henna and indigo mixed. It's the only thing that is safe. You need to leave it on for 4-6 hours to get the true color especially if you are looking for grey coverage. And, it is quite messy, but worth it. If you are looking for a website that sells it for a good price and is high quality, you can go to www.mehendi.com. they even have a downloadable tutorial on how to apply, etc.... good luck
I found an article about Henna and here is what it said:
Henna, itself, DOES NOT come in a range of colors.
The only dye molecule in henna (Lawsonia Inermis) in sufficient quantity to stain hair is Lawsone , which is a red-orange molecule. Any company that claims they create the wide range of henna colors with 100% henna, using roots, bark, or other parts of the henna plant to achieve their colors is …… lying or seriously ignorant. Only henna leaves are useful for dying hair, and other parts of the henna plant do not dye hair other colors. Chemicals, metallic salts or other plants must be added to henna to make any color other than red.
These pre-mixed colors are compound hennas. If you buy a box labeled henna that claims to dye hair blonde, brown or black, there is something other than henna in that box.
There is no such plant as "blonde henna", "brown henna" or "black henna". The plant, henna, lawsonia inermis, has only one dye molecule, and that molecule is red-orange.
Chemicals, metallic salts or other dye plants must be added to henna to make any color other than red. These mixes are termed compound hennas.
Some dye plants can be added to alter the color of henna. Some chemicals can be added to alter the color of henna.
Metallic salts alter and fix a dye stain. Many “henna colors” are created with metallic salts. The most frequently used material is lead acetate, though silver nitrate, copper, nickel, cobalt, bismuth and iron salts have also been used.
Dyes with lead acetate gradually deposit a mixture of lead sulfide and lead oxide on the hair shaft.
When you hear that henna has “metal”, “lead”, or “coats the hair” and “leaves it brittle”, that refers to a compound henna dye, full of these metallic salts.
Hair bleach, permanent hair color, and permanent wave solution are a disastrous combination with compound (metallic salt) henna dyes. These can result in green, purple, or totally fried hair.
Can you get different shades with henna? Is it an orangey-red? I've never tried it. I don't think I could stand the hours it would take. There's some new hairdye on the market that takes 10 minutes -- that's more my style!
I've seen henna sold for hair in the form of powder that you mix yourself into a paste like substance that you then put on your hair. You also have to keep it on your hair for like 2 hours! That's the main thing that would put me off, unless the results were really good! With my gray resistant hair I might be willing to try it though! lol
Awwww I would love to use this for my gray hair as well. I don't know what to use. I highlight and don't really need to do the highlights so often but with the gray coming through I really want to get rid of them.
I tried henna years ago. It's a very subtle effect, doesn't do well on grey hair, and once you use it, you have to wait till it completely grows out before you can use another color. The henna locks the hair shaft and makes it resistant to the dye.
I've never used Henna! I'd LOVE to hear from someone that has experience with it though. I've got some "touch ups" I could really stand to do with my hair about right now.
Has anyone ever used henna products for hair? I've been looking into different ways to color my stubborn gray hairs and I've been impressed with the results henna seems to produce. I love the natural aspect of henna also - after all, it's been around for thousands of years!
I'd love to hear your experiences or thoughts on the use of henna!
That's the main thing that would put me off, unless the results were really good! With my gray resistant hair I might be willing to try it though! lol
