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What Affects Henna Stains?
Factors that determine the color and longevity
By Nat Habit
Achieving a rich, vibrant and perfect henna colour involves so much more than just the application. There’s a very delicate interplay of various factors, each contributing in determining the depth and longevity of the stain left behind.
We’ve carefully curated a list of a few important factors so that you can make an informed decision and get that perfect henna experience that you deserve. Let’s dive into them right now:
⚫ It's all in the Quality:
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The stain's richness hinges on the purity and quality of the henna. Choose pure, finely sifted henna without additives or harmful chemicals. Consider sourcing from Sojat, Rajasthan, where mineral-rich sand enhances the leaves' lawsone content, which is important for the shade of the stain.
⚫ Recipe Matters
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What you put in your henna actually matters. Incorporating herbs and ingredients like coffee or tea water, amla, manjistha, and rosemary can work in favour as they enhance the colour and longevity of the stain. However, maintaining the right ratio of henna to herb is extremely important to get the best results.
⚫ How porous is your hair?
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Hair with high porosity tends to absorb colour more effectively, resulting in a deeper, darker and long lasting stain. The open cuticles makes it easier for the henna to penetrate and provide a rich stain. On the contrary, in the case of low porous hair, it's comparatively hard for the henna to penetrate the hair strands because of the closed cuticles. Your hair might need some additional steps to enhance the colour uptake.
Read How to get dark brown shade with Henna?
⚫ To dye or not to dye
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Any chemical treatment, or use of certain hair products prior to the application of henna can affect the interaction of henna with the strands of your hair. To achieve the desired dark brown shade on chemically treated or previously dyed hair, it's advisable to wait for a while because it might require 5-6 henna applications on treated hair. In the beginning it’ll mostly just heal your hair.
⚫ Time out with Henna
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The duration you leave the henna on your hair impacts the final colour. Ideal application period should be between 2-3 hours. We hope you took out some time off of your busy schedule for getting the full worth of your henna!
⚫ Is it Warm Enough?
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Always consider the temperature of your body and environment when applying henna, as warmer conditions can enhance the dye release and absorption process, leading to a richer and more robust henna stain.
⚫ Don’t forget the post wash care!
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The post -wash care you provide to your hennaed hair is very important. Using shampoo or any hair cleanser to wash the hair should be completely avoided. Instead, after washing the hair you can do hot oil massages with mustard or sesame oil which will not only nourish your scalp but will also improve the colour of the stain.
Conclusion: Achieving the perfect stain for your hair is no science but it still needs some experimentation to accomplish what works best for you. By understanding and experimenting with these variables, you can personalise your henna experience and unlock the full potential of this natural hair colouring method.
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