henna on hair photos : Henna For Hair Benefits

Henna For Hair Benefits Photo Picture Images Biography 2013

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SOME BACKGROUND FACTS ABOUT HENNA:
Henna, scientific name – Lawsonia Inermis, has been used by men and women for centuries – over 6,000 years, to dye hair, nails and skin. In Ancient Egypt Cleopatra and Nefertiti were known to have used it. It was commonly used for many centuries in areas of India, the Middle East, and Africa. Commercially packaged henna, intended for use as a cosmetic hair dye, is now available in many countries.
The henna dye or colour is obtained from the leaves of the plant, which are dried, milled and sifted. A mildly acidic liquid like lemon juice, or strong tea needs to be added activate the Lawsonia.
The colour that results from using henna to dye hair can fall into a broad spectrum, from auburn, to orange, to deep burgundy, chestnut brown or deep blue-black. To achieve a colour that is more like a brown or black, indigo is usually used with the henna to get the desired colour.
The resulting colour achieved from using henna depends on a few factors such as;
The hair colour user had to start off with – someone with black will not end up with red hair, but may over time develop noticeable auburn highlights discernible under certain lights.
The freshness of the henna used, the harvesting and storage process will affect the potency of the Lawsonia.
The origin of the henna used, the strength, depth and darkness of henna’s colour varies region to region.
The amount of time the henna is left on the hair to process, obviously the longer you leave the henna on to process, the more colour deposit you will have.
Whether the henna remains wet on the hair, or is allowed to dry.
The amount of heat retained on the head during the dying process, henna loves heat and the colour will open up if the head is kept warm.
How many times user has applied henna, as henna deposits a translucent colour on the hair strands, and therefore needs multiple applications to develop depth of colour.
Commercially manufactured henna for dying hair is generally mixed with herbs and perfumes during its manufacture to give it a pleasant fragrance. It is prepared for use much the same way that it is prepared for body art, and is usually sold in block form.
HOW HENNA WORKS ON HAIR
Lawsonia, is known to bond to protein, which is what hair is made of. Once applied to the hair henna will bind itself to the keratin present in hair and provide a permanent coating to the cuticle of the hair, it does not penetrate the hair, and hence why it is a better alternative to manufactured dyes.
cross section of hair without henna application
cross section of hair with a single coating of henna

BENEFITS OF USING HENNA ON HAIR

Use of henna has many benefits other than colouring the hair. Because it coats the strands of hair with the Lawsonia it makes the cuticles lie down flatter, which can result in smoother shinier hair with less tangling.

Also a lot of people notice that use of henna on their hair is almost like a protein treatment, in that it makes the hair stronger and more resilient to damage and breakage – hence why I used it once as a pre-braid extensions treatment. Remember I said like a protein treatment, henna is not protein and is therefore not a replacement for a protein treatment if your hair is in need of one; you still need to make sure you have one.

An anti-dandruff and scaly scalp treatment – Henna is naturally antifungal and antibacterial and some people have reported regular use of henna has helped with issues of dandruff and scaly scabby scalp.

Another effect of henna for more highly textured, curly, or coarse hair types, is a loosening and softening of hairs curl pattern, more ‘hang time’ with the hair – that is rather than hair standing straight up from the scalp it now hangs downwards, and also users notice they have a lot less shrinkage when hair dries. This benefit is often noticed by those who have used henna treatments at least three or four times in a short space of time say anything between three to eight weeks. This is due in part to the weight the various coatings henna adds to the hair strands and of course natural gravity.

People with fine, thin limp hair also notice that constant henna treatments give their hair more body, density, shine and all round bounce, again this is because the regular coats of henna will build up the hairs structure and result in thick stronger strands.