Benefits of Henna for Hair

Tons of black ladies on forums had been teasing me for months with the stunning results of their henna paste applications and after months of searching, I finally found and used henna for my hair. You know why it took so long for me to try henna? I had no idea it was available in Ghana .... mostly used in tattooing skin; and widely known by the name "Lele". Henna is a plant and thus it's pure powder which is green in colour contains no chemicals that could be harmful to the hair and scalp when applied. Henna treatments can be applied to the hair every 4-6 weeks.

I tried my first henna treatment a few weeks ago and I say that with just one application, I can say all the promised benefits of henna hold true for me and my hair. Henna benefits the hair in several ways some of which are: 

1. Adds color: This is the most common benefit for which many people use henna. Henna dye is a  natural plant based dye used for colouring hair. It is a safer alternative to chemical dyes which destroy the hair in the long run. True henna powder is green in colour but deposits a red-orange colour on the hair producing various hues in sunlight. The colour shade produced by the treatment depends on the colour of hair it is deposited on. It therefore produces just highlights of red or brown when applied to black hair. The colour is more permanent and intensifies with continuous application.

2. Strengthens: Henna is able to penetrate the hair shaft and bind with the keratin in it thereby making it stronger. It is also able to fill open pores along the hair shaft. The great thing about henna is that it fills the pores, without making it impossible for moisture to enter and be retained by the hair.

3. Thickens: Henna deposits material along the individual cuticle to increase individual shaft thickness. Using henna thickens the hair over time as it's deposits continue to build up on the individual hair strands. The more the deposits, the more the buildup, the thicker the hair. Many use henna to thicken their hair because the results can be seen across the entire shaft of the hair.

4. Smoothens and Shines: With less pores along the hair shaft; as a result of the deposits of material from henna treatments, the hair cuticle becomes smoother and shinier in sunlight as the rays of the sun are able to bounce back perfectly. It does not lock out moisture so one can wash, condition, moisturise and oil hair as usual.

Other benefits could be seen as negatives by others depending on what one wants for their hair. These include:
1. Loss of coils and curls: Due to deposits along the cuticle, the individual strands are weighed down and may leave hair straighter. This is known to loosen curl patterns. Less seen in kinky hair though.

2. Interference with chemical relaxing: If a relaxer is applied too soon after a henna treatment, it could result in texlaxing instead of bone straight hair. To avoid this, leave at least 2 weeks between a henna and a relaxer application.

3. Darkening hair colour over time: With multiple applications, the colour of hair darkens over time. Remember, henna does not lighten hair. To avoid this, apply henna to roots only.

4. High cost as compared to some chemical dyes: Pure henna could be considered expensive as compared to some chemical dyes.

There is more you need to know about henna before you try it..RED LIGHTS!!..(not really so red)
I would update this post with pictures later as my internet connectivity is at it's worst today. Stay tuned for more about henna in upcoming posts. I promise I will add pictures of my henna day.............

Will you consider henna treatments on your relaxed or natural hair? Why not?

Cheers,
Star