It’s hard to imagine an Indian women’s hair care regime without the inclusion of Henna. Derived from the leaves of the Henna tree, Henna powder or paste is a natural dying substance that coats grey hair with a reddish copper hue. Along with its colouring properties, there are many other benefits of Henna for hair. It can cool your scalp and condition your hair. However, not many know that Henna can also stop hair loss and impart new hair growth.
In this article, we shall learn the best ways to use Henna for reducing hair fall and make your hair voluminous.
Benefits of Henna for Hair:
Henna offers a plethora of advantages for your hair and is widely used in many hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners and masks. Here are the top reasons why Henna is good for your hair:
- Boosts Hair Growth: Henna can stimulate your scalp and encourage the growth of new follicles. It also mends your strands and gives them a fuller look.
- Lowers Hair Fall: Henna can heal and repair your scalp to lower the chances of hair fall.
- Conditioning Hair: Henna is a natural conditioner which can smoothen your hair and give it a glossy appearance.
- Prevents Dandruff: It can soothe an itchy, flaky scalp and also keep fungal infections at bay.
- Natural Hair Dye: Henna is a popular way to colour hair without the use of harmful chemical-laden dyes.
- Reduces Split ends: Henna conditions your hair to reduce dryness and damage. It also nourishes your hair and reduces split ends and breakage.
How to Prepare Henna for Hair Growth at Home?
Preparing and applying Henna at home can be a messy process. But the results are surely worth your time and efforts. The easy way to go about this is to buy Henna powder in the market and use it. The best Henna for hair, of course, is the one you make at home. Just grind the dried Henna leaves into a fine powder and store it in a bottle.
Here’s how to use Henna powder for hair growth:
Ingredients:
- Henna Powder – ½ Cup (depending on the length and volume of hair).
- Warm Water – ¼ Cup.
- Rubber Gloves.
- Vaseline Petroleum Jelly.
- Brush.
- Shower Cap.
Preparation Method:
- Add warm water to Henna powder.
- Mix well to get a smooth consistency.
- Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
- Set it aside for a minimum of 8 hours for better results.
How to Apply:
- Apply Vaseline Petroleum jelly along your hairline on the forehead to avoid staining.
- Wear gloves before attempting this method.
- Now section your hair and apply the henna mixture using an applicator brush.
- Wrap it on top of your crown and apply a layer of Henna to keep it in place.
- Repeat the process till all the strands are well covered with Henna.
- Cover your head with a shower cap.
- Leave it for 2-3 hours.
- Wash with a mild shampoo to get rid of Henna residue.
- Follow it with a conditioner and air dry.
How Often Should I Do This?: Once Every 15 Days.
Tip: If you are not particular about colouring your hair with henna, you can also do an instant mix. Just add water to henna and apply it immediately.
Henna for Hair Growth Using Various Combinations:
Henna is a versatile ingredient which can be easily combined with other agents like Sesame oils, aloe vera etc., to produce unbelievable results. Try these miracle masks to control hair loss and receding scalp lines. These Henna hair treatment methods also help in accelerating your hair growth with regular usage:
1. Henna and Sesame Oil:
Sesame oil offers incredible benefits to our hair and scalp. It is rich in vitamin E, B complex and key minerals like Calcium and Magnesium. Sesame oil is also loaded with Phosphorus and proteins that strengthen our hair from within and offer deep nourishment. It can be combined with Henna to impart new hair growth and add a mirror shine to your mane. Here’s how to use henna for hair loss treatment.
Ingredients:
- Henna Powder – ½ Cup.
- Sesame Oil – 5 tbsp.
Time to Prepare: 15 minutes.
Preparation Method:
- Take Sesame oil in a bowl and place it over mild heat.
- Once it is heated up, add Henna powder to it.
- Keep stirring the mixture until no lumps are formed.
- Set the mixture aside till it cools down.
How to Apply:
- Apply this mixture on your scalp directly.
- Massage well for 10 minutes.
- Leave it for a couple of hours.
- Wash off with a mild shampoo.
How Often Should I do This? Thrice a week for best results.
2. Henna and Mustard Oil:
Henna and Mustard oil combination is an elixir for your hair. Not only does it prevent hair loss, but also promotes healthy hair. Mustard oil is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent which can fight scalp infections. It also penetrates deep into the roots to strengthen hair from within and repair damaged cuticles. Experts opine that the addition of mustard oil can increase the efficiency of Henna for hair fall.
Ingredients:
- Henna Powder – 60 gm.
- Mustard Oil – 250 ml.
Time to Prepare: 15 minutes.
Preparation Method:
- Take Mustard oil in a bowl and place it overheat.
- Once it is heated up, add Henna powder to it.
- Keep stirring the mixture until no lumps are formed.
- Set the mixture aside till it cools down.
- Store it in a glass bottle for future use.
How to Apply:
- Apply this mixture on your scalp directly.
- Massage well for 10 minutes.
- Leave it for a couple of hours.
- Wash off with a mild shampoo.
How Often Should I do This? Thrice a week for best results.
3. Aloe vera and Henna for Hair Growth:
Aloe vera promotes hair growth and also repairs your scalp. It keeps hair problems like dandruff, ringworm etc. at bay which cause hair fall. Aloe vera also conditions your hair and restores its moisture levels. Mixing it with Henna can improve its efficiency and help in delivering better output. Check out this simple Aloe veraHenna pack for hair growth:
Ingredients:
- Henna Powder – 1 Cup.
- Fresh Aloe Vera Gel – ½ Cup.
- Curd – 2 tbsp.
- Shower cap.
- Plastic Gloves.
Time to Prepare: 15 minutes.
Preparation Method:
- In a vessel, combine all the ingredients to form a smooth paste.
- Ensure there are no lumps in the mixture.
How to Apply:
- Wear plastic gloves on your hands.
- Section your hair and apply the henna paste.
- Spread it across the mane evenly.
- Cover your head with a shower cap.
- Leave it on for an hour or two.
- Wash it off with water.
How Often Should I do This? Once a week or biweekly for better results.
4. Coconut Milk and Henna:
Coconut milk nourishes and strengthens your hair. It offers deep moisturizing properties, thanks to its fatty acids. Coconut milk also tames frizz, repairs split ends and conditions hair. Adding Henna powder to Coconut milk helps in controlling hair fall and soothing your itchy scalp. Here’s how to make your Coconut milk Henna pack for hair growth at home:
Ingredients:
- Henna Powder – 1 Cup.
- Coconut Milk – ½ Cup.
- Shower cap.
- Plastic Gloves.
Time to Prepare: 10 minutes.
Preparation Method:
- In a vessel, combine all the ingredients to form a smooth paste.
- Ensure there are no lumps in the mixture.
How to Apply:
- Wear plastic gloves on your hands.
- Section your hair and apply the henna paste.
- Spread it across the mane evenly.
- Cover your head with a shower cap.
- Leave it on for an hour or two.
- Wash it off with water.
How Often Should I do This? Once a week or biweekly for better results.
5. Amla Powder and Henna:
One of the best ways to improve the output of a Henna mask is to combine it with Amla Powder. Amla is rich in antioxidants which can fight free radicals that cause oxidative damage. It also fights hair fall and prevents premature greying. Henna, on the other hand, cools your scalp and nourishes it. Here is how to use Henna for hair growth with a combination of Amla powder:
Ingredients:
- Henna Powder – 3 tbsp.
- Amla Powder – 1 Cup.
- Fenugreek Powder – 2 tbsp.
- Shower cap.
- Plastic Gloves.
Time to Prepare: 10 minutes.
Preparation Method:
- In a vessel, combine all the ingredients to form a smooth paste.
- Ensure there are no lumps in the mixture.
How to Apply:
- Wear plastic gloves on your hands.
- Section your hair and apply the henna paste.
- Spread it across the mane evenly.
- Cover your head with a shower cap.
- Leave it on for 45 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
How Often Should I do This? Once a week or biweekly for better results.
6. Castor Oil and Henna:
Castor oil is an excellent volume booster for hair. It can nourish your scalp and promote the growth of new hair even in dormant areas. One of the best ways to treat baldness with Castor oil is to combine it with Henna powder. This gives you speedy results and also help you achieve silky, smooth hair of your dreams!
Ingredients:
- Henna Powder – 1 cup.
- Castor Oil – 250 ml.
- Shower cap.
- Plastic Gloves.
Time to Prepare: 10 minutes.
Preparation Method:
- In a vessel, heat up some Castor oil.
- Add henna powder to the oil and mix well.
- Ensure there are no lumps in the mixture.
How to Apply:
- Wear plastic gloves on your hands.
- Section your hair and apply the henna paste.
- Spread it across the mane evenly.
- Cover your head with a shower cap.
- Leave it on for 45 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
How Often Should I do This? Once a week or biweekly for better results.
Additional Tips for Using Henna On Hair:
Go through the following Henna for hair growth tips to achieve better results without going through many ordeals:
- Henna can give a reddish copper hue on your grey hair if left for long. If you wish to avoid it, don’t keep the mask for longer than 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- If you are looking for a deeper colour with Henna, allow it to soak for at least 8 hours for the dyes to release
- Some people may experience chills, cold and sinus attacks with Henna hair masks.
- Always use organic Henna powder for better results and zero side effects.
- Plain Henna masks can dry out your hair. IT is advised to combine it with curd or oils to restore hydration
- Make sure you wash off the Henna residue thoroughly from your scalp and it can block your pores and lead to hair loss and damage.
Now that you have read and understood how to make Henna for hair growth and use it in different ways, you can try them at home too. Henna preparation is a cumbersome process and needs your patience. You can take little help from your friend or your family member for applying the paste and washing it off well. Using them at least once a month can give you stupendous results. If you have tried any of the methods, do let us know which once worked well for you!
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Is it Safe to Use Lemon Juice in Henna Masks?
Many people use a dash of lemon juice in their henna masks to impart the goodness of Vitamin C. Lemon is a natural antimicrobial agent which can fight scalp infections and keep them at bay. However, lemon is acidic in nature and can be extremely drying on your hair. Adding more than half of lime can irritate your scalp and add frizz to your hair.
2. Which is The Best Henna Brand for Hair Growth?
There are many brands that provide good quality henna powder at reasonable prices. These products assure pure Henna which is free from chemicals or preservatives. They give a beautiful colour along with conditioning your hair well. Some of these are :
- Godrej Nupur Henna.
- Shahnaz Forever Henna Precious Herb Mix.
- VLCC Ayurvedic Henna For Hair.
- Khadi Natural Henna.
- Banjara’s Henna Powder.
3. Is Black Henna a Different Variety of Henna Powder?
Contrary to the popular belief that Black henna is a variety of natural henna, the fact is that it is not Henna at all. It is made up of a chemical called Paraphenylenediamine, also called PPD. This is extremely harmful to our skin and scalp and also has its aftereffects on our health. PPD can cause many allergic reactions and can also lead to hair loss. Always remember that natural Henna never turns black even if you leave it on forever. It will give you unto a deep maroon colour.
