How to Use Henna to Cover Gray Hair Naturally

Last updated Oct 12, 2023 1,006 0

Going gray can be an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to embrace the silver strands just yet. Before opting for chemical hair dyes with questionable ingredients, consider henna – the ancient, herbal hair coloring method that beautifully conceals grays while nourishing your locks.

Henna has been used since antiquity to stain skin and hair with its distinctive reddish hue. The natural powder is derived from the dried leaves of the henna plant, which is native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. When mixed into a paste and applied to hair, the active compounds in henna – Lawsone and Tannins – bind to keratin in the strands to safely and effectively deposit color.

While traditional henna imparts various shades of red, modern innovations like indigo and cassia allow for darker brown and even black coloration. This makes henna an ideal solution not just for redheads, but for anyone looking to seamlessly blend away grays and enhance their natural hair color, no matter how light or dark their baseline shade may be.

Compared to chemical alternatives, henna offers major benefits beyond its dyeing capabilities. The Ayurvedic and medicinal properties inherent to the plant condition and strengthen hair with each application. Those with damaged or thinning hair often see noticeable improvement in texture, shine, and thickness over time. Furthermore, pure henna contains no harsh chemicals like ammonia, peroxide or p-phenylenediamine, minimizing chances of irritation. For these reasons and more, henna has exploded in popularity as an all-natural, healthy alternative to conventional hair dye.

If you’re tempted to try henna yourself, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire coloring process. We’ll cover:

How to select the right henna for your hair type and goals
Mixing and preparing the henna paste before application
Applying henna and processing time
Washing out the paste and coloring results
Ongoing maintenance and reapplication
Pros and cons to be aware of

By the end, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge needed to harness the power of henna for conveniently covering grays at home. Achieve soft, radiant, youthful hair without resorting to dangerous chemicals!

Choosing Your Henna

Pure henna powder is readily available from countless online retailers and natural health stores. When selecting your henna, focus on finding body-quality products designed specifically for use as hair dye. Seek out organic and additive-free options to get the full benefits of henna. Reputable, ethically-sourced brands like Mehandi, Jamila, and The Henna Guys are ideal.

There are three main varieties of henna to be aware of:

Neutral Henna

As the name implies, neutral henna does not alter hair color, but merely coats the strands to provide gray coverage. This is achieved by sifting out the Lawsone compound responsible for dye release. Neutral henna works best on light hair colors like blonde and gray, providing subtle, undetectable results. Those with dark hair likely won’t see their grays fully covered by neutral henna alone.

Red Henna

Red henna derives its crimson coloring power from Lawsone. When applied to hair, it interacts with keratin to deposit a rich, warm red-brown stain. This variety works best on hair that is already dark, adding lovely dimension and reddish tones to brunette, auburn, and black shades. Those with blonde or lighter brown hair will see their strands turn strawberry or coppery red when dyed with henna. So consider your base color carefully.

Black Henna

For those seeking darker, non-red results, black henna is an option. It combines true henna with indigo, a blue-pigmented plant, to create a darker brown or black stain. To achieve this, apply a coat of red henna first, then follow with indigo. Those with blonde or light brown hair may need more applications to turn hair fully black. Black henna allows you to darken your overall color while covering grays.

Now that you understand the color variations, think about your goals. Do you want an undetectable subtle blend-in of grays, or a dramatic boost in color depth? Consider your willingness to alter your current hair shade as well. Consulting henna brand charts can help determine your ideal variety.

Seeking out high-quality henna is also paramount for best results and hair health. Body art quality henna isn’t regulated, so unsafe additives could be present. Always check ingredient lists. 100% pure henna powder should be the only thing on there! Avoid products with added salts, metals, or chemical dyes. Paying a little extra for pure, natural, lab-tested henna is worth it for optimal hair health and color outcome.

Mixing Your Henna Paste

With henna powder in hand, it’s time to mix it into a smooth, spreadable dye paste. Much of henna’s dye release and staining power stems from the paste preparation. Follow these steps closely:

Step 1: The Base

Start by adding 1/2 cup of henna powder to glass, metal, or plastic bowl. Avoid nonstick coatings which can interfere with dye release. Then, pour in 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix quickly. The acidic juice boosts dye release from the henna.

Some choose to let the henna and lemon sit for up to 12 hours before the next steps. This increases stain intensity. But this pause is optional – especially for first-timers.

Step 2: Add Thickener

Next, it’s vital to add a thickening agent to achieve the ideal creamy paste texture. Popular options include:

Plain yogurt – 3/4 cup
Coconut milk – 1/2 to 3/4 cup
Vegetable oil – 1/4 cup
Egg white – from 1 egg

Each thickener has its perks. Yogurt conditions hair and adds moisture. Coconut milk boosts softness. Oils infuse shine. Eggs bulk up the paste. Feel free to experiment, but aim for 3/4 cup total of your chosen base.

Step 3: Mix in Liquid

Gradually pour in 1/4 cup warm water, herbal tea, coffee, or even juice while continually mixing. Green tea, chamomile, and hibiscus teas offer beneficial antioxidants. The liquid further activates the henna while achieving a spreadable frosting-like consistency. Add more liquid if needed.

Step 4: Rest Time

Once mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Allow the paste to rest, undisturbed, for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours. This pause allows the henna to further release its dye, improving color results. The paste may darken and thicken slightly as it rests.

Step 5: Optional Add-Ins

Consider embellishing your paste with extra conditioning and scent boosters. Several drops of essential oils like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil can be mixed in. Or add ingredients like honey, aloe vera gel, avocado oil, or Moroccan argan oil for extra conditioning. Get creative!

When the resting period is up, your henna paste should be a thick, malleable consistency resembling frosting. You can add more liquid if it seems too dry. Now comes the fun part – applying it to your hair!

Applying and Processing Henna on Hair

With your paste prepped, it’s time to get messy! Have an old towel handy and consider wearing clothes you don’t mind staining. Unwind some plastic wrap from your henna bowl, grab your applicator brush, and follow these instructions:

Step 1: Section Hair

Start by thoroughly brushing through clean, product-free hair. Then, create sections using clips. Part hair into four quadrants – ear to ear on both sides, then crown to nape in the back. Section off the top and sides as well. Work on one section at a time.

Step 2: Lather on Henna

Using the applicator brush, scoop a generous blob of henna from the bowl and thoroughly coat every strand in the section, from roots to ends. Ensure complete saturation for ideal gray coverage. Apply more paste as needed, keeping sections neatly separated.

Step 3: Wrap It Up

Once all your hair is coated root to tip, it’s time to wrap it up to process. Plastic wrap helps create warmth and humidity to better activate the henna’s dye. Wrap each section individually then the whole head, adding a shower cap over it all.

Alternatively, you can simply pin your coated hair into a bun on top of your head, then wrap in plastic and a cap. Just avoid creating tangles!

Step 4: Process and Wait!

Now comes the hardest part – waiting! Getting the henna processing time right is imperative for dye deposit and gray coverage. If you rinse too soon, you won’t get the full color and conditioning benefits.

Plan to leave the henna on for at least 2 hours. For maximum impact, process for 4-6 hours if you can. The longer the better, up to around 12 hours. Your body heat enables the dye release, so keep your head wrapped during processing.

Often it takes a few rounds of henna for optimal gray coverage, so start with the minimum 2 hour processing time before rinsing if you’re unsure. You can always leave it longer next time. Avoid applying heat from hairdryers or heat caps, as this can over-process the henna. Simply let it sit undisturbed during this waiting period. Consider watching movies or napping to pass the time!

Rinsing, Results, and Maintenance

When the waiting game is finally up, it’s time to reveal your glossy, colored locks! Rinsing away messy henna paste is the least glamorous part of the process, but take your time to ensure it’s all washed out.

Rinsing Henna

Carefully unwrap your head and hop in the shower. Let warm water soak your hair first. Then, gently massage your scalp with fingertips to emulsify the henna, rinsing until water runs clear.

Shampoo at least twice to fully remove residue, focusing on your roots. Any leftover paste can make hair stiff and itchy once dry. Ensure every last bit is cleansed away for comfort.

Results

Once hair is all rinsed out, towel dried, and you’ve survived the mess, behold your shiny new mane! Henna results can vary wildly depending on your base shade and goals. Here’s what to expect:

Grays should show noticeable reduction, but 100% coverage often takes a few rounds of henna. Achieve full color with subsequent applications.
If coloring virgin hair, expect significant alteration from your natural shade. Lighter hair will go red or copper. Dark hair gets richer, warmer tones when dyed.
Color will appear more intense when wet. As hair dries, the tone will likely lighten up a bit from the initial reveal.
Over days and weeks, henna color will continue to oxidize and settle into a natural-looking shade. Reds mellow into softer auburns with time.

Remember, henna deposits color rather than removing it. So you cannot lighten existing pigment with henna. But gradual applications will blend away grays for a vibrant, youthful hair color!

Maintaining Your Henna Color

Once you’ve colored with henna, maintenance is required to keep grays at bay and maintain your new shade. Plan to re-henna your hair every 4-6 weeks as your roots grow in. Frequent touching-up is needed to sustain results.

Additionally, incorporate deep conditioning masks and oils into your routine 1-2 times per week post-henna. Henna can dry hair out over time, so counteract this with intensive hydration to stay glossy. Also, shampoo less frequently and use cooler water to make your color last longer between applications.

Enjoy this new chapter of embracing your gray-free, radiant hair thanks to henna’s powers!

Pros and Cons of Henna for Gray Coverage

Now that we’ve explored the henna process comprehensively, let’s recap some key pros and cons to decide if it’s right for you:

Pros

Conditioning and strengthening for damaged hair
Natural ingredients minimize reactions
No chemicals like ammonia, peroxide and PPD
Great way to enhance and enrich natural hair tones
Subtle, gradual results blend grays seamlessly
Suitable and effective for all hair types and textures
Available in many colors beside traditional red

Cons

Messy preparation and long processing times
Cannot lighten existing hair shade
Requires touch-ups as new grays grow in
Difficult to pivot to other coloring methods after prolonged use
Results depend heavily on your natural color and type
Some residual drying effect with overuse

As a traditional approach, henna requires more effort than quick box dyes. But its skin-safe formula offers an unparalleled natural method for blending grays if you have the patience. Consult a skilled colorist if still unsure!

Conclusion

Whether your grays are just starting to sprout or you’ve been covering them for years, henna is a time-tested, chemical-free solution. With the right preparation and technique, the messy process delivers rewarding results – lustrous hair with an undetectable blending of gray hairs.

Always source pure henna powders designed specifically for dyeing hair at home. Take your time mixing, applying, and rinsing for ideal outcomes. Know that the subtle, multi-tonal hues of henna aim to enhance your natural beauty gracefully.

Ready to give henna a try? Have you used it before? Share your experiences in the comments to help fellow readers! Here’s to embracing the journey of gray hair on your own natural terms.