What is henna?
Henna is a plant whose leaves are harvested, crushed, and sifted multiple times to create a dust like powder. This powder is mixed with warm water to create a paste that releases a reddish-orange dye that stains protein including hair, nails, and skin.
​
What is the difference between henna and herbal dyes?
Most people will use "henna" to describe herbal dyes. While henna is an herbal dye, not all herbal dyes contain henna. For example, Neutral Blonde blend does not contain any henna, however it's commonly referred to as "blonde henna".
Is herbal color safe for anyone?
The only herb that has any contraindication is henna, which should not be used by individuals who have the inherited blood condition, G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), which can have some interaction with the dye in henna plants. In healthy adults it might be okay, however, it should not be used during pregnancy. Please consult with your doctor if you have G6PD.
Is henna and herbal color safe for color and chemically treated hair?
Yes, every herb that I use on clients and sell on my website is 100% natural and can be used on hair previously dyed with chemical color, relaxed, bleached, or treated by other chemical processes.
​
Where do you source your herbs?
I source all herbal powders directly from the manufacturer in the countries where they are grown. The two main countries where I source henna from are India and Pakistan.
Can I use chemical dyes or chemically treat my hair after using herbal color?
Yes, you can safely switch back to chemicals (although your hair & scalp will prefer herbs!) after using herbal color treatments, including henna. Keep in mind that deeper colors, including henna, bond to the protein in your hair, which makes it more difficult to lighten.
Can henna be removed from hair?
No, henna can only be lightened, not removed. Henna and indigo bond to the protein in your hair, making it difficult to remove. This does not mean that you cannot use chemical dyes over hair treated with herbs, however, it does make it more difficult to lighten your hair color. You can view this video on Youtube where I bleach hair previously dyed with henna.
How often can herbs be used to treat and color hair?
Herbs can be used as often as you need on new growth to blend greys and maintain a healthy scalp. The only herbs that bond to your hair strands are henna and indigo, which would darken the color of your hair with every application. This also means that build-up can occur. For this reason, if you are using henna/indigo based treatments, I recommend applying on lengths once every few months or as needed to refresh or darken your hair color. If you’re experiencing dandruff, oily, or itchy scalp, you can use henna on the scalp as often as you need to promote a clear scalp. Any other herbal color without henna, can be used on lengths as often as you’d like without building up.
Can herbal dyes cover my greys?
Herbal dyes will camouflage greys but cannot fully cover them. This means that white and grey hair will result in a lighter color and look like highlights, rather than a solid color. This creates a more natural looking grow-out, without a stark like demarcation. If your hair is fully white, and you use a deeper shade, there will be more significant contrast.
How often do I have to dye my hair to keep greys blended?
As often as your hair grows out. This might sound obvious, but it is a question that I get pretty often. When a color is permanent, it does not mean that it changes the color of new hair that hasn’t grown out yet. Keep in mind that herbal dyes promote a healthier scalp, which can increase the rate at which your hair grows.
​