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Henna is a popular choice for traditional body art during special occasions such as weddings and holidays in Islamic and Hindu cultures all around the world.
Aside from this, it is also a famous natural hair dye, known for giving a reddish tone to hair strands. It has been used for centuries to change hair color and cover gray hairs.
But did you know it can also help you achieve black or dark-brown hair?
The simplest way of doing so is to mix henna with natural ingredients such as indigo powder or coffee to get the shade you want. Also, there are commercially available products that contain a black henna dye that is sold for hair blackening.
In this article, you will learn about henna’s natural red to dark hues and also the use of henna dyes with chemicals such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD) for black hair, along with the natural ways of blackening hair with henna using DIY packs.
Natural Henna for Coloring and Blackening Your Hair
Natural henna is a wonderful option for adding a touch of color to your hair.
It’s important to note that henna’s natural shade is not black but natural reddish hues. It’s eco-friendly and chemical-free, perfect for orangish or reddish-brown hair.
Derived from the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis shrub, henna is a natural product widely produced in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt due to their hot and dry climates.
Henna contains lawsone, a pigment that imparts a vibrant red-orange color when it interacts with keratin in the hair, skin, and nails. (1)
Lawsone is what gives henna its distinctive red-orange color and is typically found in dried henna leaves at a concentration of 1%-1.5% by weight.
Lawsone is considered a nonoxidizing hair color agent and can be safely used in cosmetic products, usually at a maximum concentration of 1.5%. This makes it a healthier and gentler option for coloring hair than chemically produced pigments. (2)(3)
Evidence of henna’s historical use as a hair dye can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where mummies were discovered with henna-dyed hair and fingers. Even the famous Pharaoh Ramesses II had henna-dyed hair after his death, possibly to maintain his youthful appearance, as his natural hair color was red. (1)
However, while natural henna is great as a hair dye, it will not blacken your hair.
How to Blacken Your Hair Using Natural Henna?
If you want to achieve a rich, black hair color with natural henna, you have to mix it with other herbal ingredients such as indigo powder, black tea, or coffee.
Jatamansi is known to have a potent darkening effect on hair, which makes it an excellent choice for achieving black hair.
A study found that a combination of henna (L. inermis) and jatamansi, gudhal (H. rosa-sinensis), and kuth (S. lappa) showed remarkable hair-coloring effects. This combination was particularly effective in darkening hair naturally.
So, for those desiring black hair, this blend of herbs that includes jatamansi can be a promising choice. (4)
How to make this hair-darkening mask?
- Buy high-quality natural henna (L. inermis) and jatamansi (N. jatamansi) in powder form from herbal stores or online shops.
- In a bowl, thoroughly mix both powders in a 1:1 ratio.
- Add warm water till you get a paste-like consistency.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight.
- Apply the paste to your clean, dry hair.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap for 2–4 hours.
- Rinse the mixture thoroughly with water.
What Is Black Henna and Does It Blacken Hair?
Black henna is a popular choice for those seeking intense black hair shades. It typically contains natural red henna and PPD (p-phenylenediamine), a chemical that provides a deep and long-lasting black color to the hair.
PPD-based dyes are very commonly used to achieve dark and rich hair colors. (5)
However, the use of paraphenylenediamine (PPD) in black henna hair dye is raising concerns in the world of hair coloring. PPD is a chemical that can cause allergic reactions and is commonly found in both at-home and salon hair-coloring products. (5)(6)
These reactions can range from skin irritation to more severe allergic responses, making it a public health concern.
Some brands use extra ingredients such as lemon oil, vinegar, eucalyptus oil, and clove oil, along with PPD, to help speed up the dyeing process. (6)
Most-Asked Questions
Can I apply henna on bleached hair?
Yes, it is okay to apply henna to bleached hair.
Can I use henna on previously colored hair?
Yes, you can use henna on previously colored hair, but the effect might not be that great as the dye can have trouble going deep into the cuticle.
Can henna cause allergic reactions?
Allergies with pure henna are rare, but with black henna or other henna products containing chemicals, they are pretty common.
Final Word
Henna is a well-known dye that can produce reddish hair, but it can also give you black or dark-brown hair when mixed with indigo or coffee. There are also black henna products available.
While natural henna is eco-friendly and safe, it won’t make your hair black. For that, a mix of henna and jatamansi is recommended.
Black henna, on the other hand, contains PPD, a chemical for lasting black color that can cause allergies and skin issues.
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