Henna can deposit long-lasting coloration to your hair and enhance the general feel and look of your strands. Says New York-based dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, “It’s identified to have conditioning properties that may make the hair softer, shinier, and extra manageable.” You could have heard that henna also can promote hair growth, however, because the identified science stands, there is not a lot proof to again that up.
With regards to utilizing henna on the remainder of your physique, Koestline says, it might probably assist soothe rashes, eczema, and bug bites. This is because of henna’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, Dr. Garshick explains, including that it’s nonetheless essential to do a patch check earlier than use as henna could cause allergic reactions. “The chance will increase if the henna comprises components, which is the case with black henna used to darken coloration,” she says. “This could trigger allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, elevated sensitivity, or much more extreme reactions like blistering.”
What are the dangers of utilizing henna hair coloration?
As talked about within the earlier part, it’s essential to all the time do a patch check earlier than utilizing henna because of the danger of an allergic response, particularly if utilizing black henna. Henna also can have unpredictable outcomes when used on high of bleached hair. “Bleached hair absorbs henna in another way, leading to sudden hues and uneven coloring,” says Abby Haliti, a colorist and founding father of New York Metropolis-based A.H. ColorStudio. She provides that layering henna over beforehand dyed hair also can result in patches in coloration.
However this doesn’t imply it’s essential to have utterly virgin hair to make use of henna. Haliti recommends beginning with a strand check and regularly transitioning to henna hair color. “This course of entails permitting the chemical dye to fade or develop out earlier than beginning henna purposes to keep away from sudden interactions or coloration outcomes,” she says. “Begin with root touch-ups or small sections of henna earlier than totally committing to see how your hair reacts, and carry out strand assessments often as your hair transitions to make sure the outcomes are what you need.”
Provides Emaly Baum, a colorist and proprietor of Beauty Supply Salon in New York Metropolis, you need to ensure that to think about your long-term coloration targets because the pigment from henna isn’t simply stripped, particularly if you happen to’re making use of it over a lighter base coloration.
How lengthy does henna hair coloration final?
“Similar to any added coloration, you’ll in all probability discover some fading and development at your roots after round three weeks,” says Baum. When you began with a darker base, she factors out, it might take you longer to note your henna disappearing.