Dyeing your hair is a magical journey that should be enjoyed from start to finish. However, there are so many hair dye products in the market that it’s difficult to choose just one.
If you have read any of my previous blog posts, then you know that I’m a semi-permanent hair dye fan!
However, there are supposedly safe, permanent hair dye options made with henna. But not everything that shines is gold – let’s go over the most common 5 problems with henna hair dye that you must beware of.
Quick Answer
The most common problems with henna hair dye are inconsistency in results, dyeing your hair with henna is time-consuming, there aren’t many color options available, henna hair dye is quite permanent and difficult to remove, and you might be allergic to henna.
Is Henna Hair Dye Safe?
Overall, I’d say that henna is a safe and natural alternative to traditional hair dyes.
Henna is a plant-based dye that has been used for centuries to color hair and skin. It is made from the dried and powdered leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant, so hair dye products made with henna are mostly natural.
One of the great things about henna is that it does not contain any harsh chemicals, such as ammonia or peroxide, which are commonly found in traditional hair dyes (learn how to tell if hair dye has ammonia by checking this guide).
However, it’s important to note that not all henna hair dyes are created equal. Some henna products on the market may contain additives or other ingredients that can be harmful to your hair or skin. It’s important to choose a high-quality henna product that is pure and free from any harmful chemicals.
Does Henna Hair Dye Damage Hair?
Most times, henna can actually improve the health of your hair when used correctly, but this isn’t always like this.
Henna is known for its conditioning properties, and can actually help to strengthen and nourish your hair. It can help to repair damage caused by heat styling or chemical treatments, and can even promote hair growth
But, in a small percentage of henna hair dye users, there are problems related to henna hair products that you should take into account.
Is Henna Safer Than Traditional Hair Dye?
Mostly yes, henna hair dye is generally considered to be safer than regular permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes.
Usually, henna is gentler on your hair and scalp, but it can also provide a range of benefits that traditional hair dyes can’t match.
However, if you are looking to rock a stunning hair color and you need high-quality finishing, then traditional hair dyes might be better for you.
It all depends – in my experience, I have never used (and I think I’ll never will, but never say never!) henna hair dye products due to personal preferences, but we are all different!
5 Common Problems With Henna Hair Dye
All sounds like wonders and benefits when it comes to henna hair dye, but this is not always the case.
There are 5 common problems with henna hair dye that you should beware of, mostly if you really care about the overall health of your hair – let’s check these problems out!
1. Inconsistency in Results
One of the biggest and most annoying issues with henna hair dye is the fact that, sometimes, the results can be unpredictable.
Henna is a natural product, and some brands struggle to maintain the consistency, intensity, and tone of their colors.
As a result, you may not always achieve the color that you were hoping for, which, in my books, is a big disappointment!
2. Using Henna is Time Consuming
Most times, you need to leave henna hair dye products on your head for over 2 hours to achieve somewhat good results.
You must mix the powder, apply it to your hair, leave it there, and wait for hours! Once, a cousin of mine waited for almost 4 hours to achieve the results she wanted – that’s too long, I have a busy schedule!
3. Limited Color Options
I know that the henna hair dye industry has exponentially grown in the past few years, but I have always failed to even find a henna product that looks like my signature pink hair.
Some henna products claim to offer certain “fantasy” color options, but you will realize that their quality isn’t the best. You might struggle to achieve a specific shade with henna products, which is a big problem when it comes to experimenting with certain styles.
4. Henna is a Permanent Hair Dye
Now, this is not necessarily bad – I know that many people love and use permanent hair dyes every dye.
But henna is difficult to remove or lighten – you will need to go through a long process if you want to change your hair color. I love to change my hair color every now and then, which is one of the reasons why I wouldn’t use henna.
5. Potential Allergic Reactions to Henna
Henna is considered a safe, natural product, but a small percentage of people can be allergic to henna.
Skin irritation, itching, and sometimes hair loss are some of the results of henna allergy, which is why I recommend performing a patch test for hair dye before you set a drop of henna hair dye on your head.
How Often Can You Dye Hair With Henna?
Normally you can use henna on your hair every 4 to 6 weeks. However, it’s important to note that henna can be quite permanent, so it’s best to do a strand test before applying it all over your hair.
This will help you determine how long you need to leave the henna on your hair to achieve the desired color. Henna tends to work best on lighter hair colors (check out the differences between warm and cool hair dye colors here), and may not show up as well on dark hair.
Fantasy Recap: Pros and Cons of Using Henna Hair Dye
Using henna hair dye is natural, safe, and protective – it can make marvels on your hairstyle!
However, there are some negative points and problems with henna hair dye that you should beware of.
Using henna hair dye products is time-consuming, the color might not be the one you seek, there are limited color options, and you might have a henna allergy.
All in all, use this guide just to beware of potential problems before dyeing your hair – there are still plenty of high-quality henna products that are totally worth the investment.
FAQ
Why Does My Hair Feel Weird After Henna?
Henna can make your hair feel weird or different due to its drying effect and protective coating over the hair shaft. Using a deep conditioner or hair mask and adding hair oil before applying henna can help to restore moisture and hydration to your hair.
Why Didn’t Henna Dye My Hair?
If henna didn’t dye your hair, it might be due to the pH of your hair and water, the quality and freshness of the henna powder, the presence of synthetic hair dye coating on your hair, or having dark hair. To achieve the desired results, it is recommended to use a high-quality henna product.