The first henna application can be nerve-wracking for a person used to boxed dyes. These tips are based on the most common FAQs from other Suite101 henna articles.
What to Do if Henna Makes Hair Look Orange
Firstly: don’t panic. The colour of hennaed hair immediately after washing the mixture out is not how it will look a week later. Henna needs time to oxidise, darken and settle down. Orange hair may well turn to a deeper red or mahogany over the course of a few days.
Those who henna over very pale hair will probably still have day-glo orange hair even after oxidising. Repeated hennaing will eventually darken the colour, but for a quicker option for colours along the red-brown-black continuum, consider an application of henndigo.
What to Do if Henna Doesn’t Dye Hair Effectively
Pure body-art quality henna is pretty potent stuff. While some websites give very specific timing for optimum dye release, most henna users find the henna mix works just fine if left overnight, stored in the freezer for a few months or otherwise abused. Henna that doesn’t “take”, then, is often of poor quality or a compound mixture.
Troubleshooting options include:
- Washing the hair before applying the henna. Grease inhibits dye uptake.
- Checking the henna for 100% lawsonia inermis content
- Mixing up a new batch of henna, waiting until the dye releases, and using it immediately
- Leaving the henna on the hair for longer
- Thinning the henna with some liquid. Henna only gives colour when wet, and a very thick mixture can dry quite quickly (which also makes the mud hard to rinse off).
- Wrapping the head in a towel for warmth during the dyeing process, to aid dye uptake
What to Do if Henna Makes Hair Feel Dry and Crunchy
Crunchy hair after henna usually means the protein/moisture ratio has been affected. Every person’s hair needs protein and moisture to stay in good condition, but some people find their hair prefers protein, while others find theirs soaks up moisture. Henna, like most herbs, contains protein. This can be a very good thing, as it makes hair stronger and thicker; however, for those with protein-loving hair, it can mean a henna treatment equals dry, crunchy-textured hair.
The solution is simple – apply a moisture treatment. Regular conditioner will usually do the trick, or natural options such as oiling or spritzing can be used. For future henna treatments, mix the henna with something moisture-promoting such as yoghurt or conditioner, and follow the treatment with a further moisture treatment if required. (Don’t apply a heavy oiling directly after henna – some people find it lifts the colour.)
How to Get Rid of Henna
Unfortunately, henna is extremely difficult – borderline impossible – to remove from hair. The best way to prevent henna disasters is to strand test first; unfortunate henna jobs can also be dyed over with henndigo for a darker result. Removing henna by natural or artificial means will be a laborious and possibly expensive process.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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