If you’ve usedhenna on your hair and now wish to go blonde again but don’t know how, you’ve come to the right place. The desire to change their look through natural treatments has led many people to experiment with using henna on their hair. However, it is critical to understand the potential risks associated with this practice.
In this article we will examine the risks of bleaching your hair after using henna and give you 5 reasons why it is not recommended to do so.
What is henna?
Henna is an ancient natural remedy that has spanned the centuries as a versatile substance with applications ranging from hair dye to medical practices. Native to North Africa and Asia, henna is extracted from the leaves of Lawsonia inermis, a shrub also known as Henna or Henna.
You may have heard of the application ofhenna to hair. In fact, one of its main applications involves hair coloring. Many people choose henna as an alternative to chemical dyes because it is a natural way to achieve shades ranging from red to brown.
Henna on hair is especially prized for its ability to improve shine and overall health, as well as cover gray hair evenly.
In addition to being used as a hair dye, it is used as an integral part of beauty and health practices in several cultures. In Ayurvedic medicine it is known for its cooling and soothing properties on the skin, and is often used in facial masks and body treatments.
How do you get henna for hair?
To obtain the henna powder used in cosmetics for hair dyeing, the leaves are dried and ground to extract Lawsone. This color pigment reacts with the keratin in the hair, intensifying its color.
Henna pigment is known to be very intense and capable of coloring hair significantly. When applied to hair, lawsone penetrates the hair cuticle and binds to proteins within the hair fiber.
This process creates a chemical bond between the henna pigment and the hair, imparting permanent or semi-permanent coloring, depending on the duration of the application.
How many kinds of henna are there?
We often hear mention of black henna, red henna, and neutral henna. It should be pointed out that henna is unique and is derived from the powder of the leaves of Lawsonia inermis, obtained by drying and crumbling. Such powder imparts a red tint to skin and hair.
When people refer toblack henna, they are actually talking aboutIndigo, which is obtained by fermenting and drying the leaves of Indigofera tinctoria. Indigo gives a raven black and can be mixed with pure henna to tone down auburn highlights and achieve darker shades.
Neutral henna, on the other hand, comes from the leaves of Cassia obovata. This powder has no coloring properties, but when used as a pack, it nourishes, restructures and gives shine to hair without altering its original color.
Entries such as brown h enna and blond henna refer to mixtures of Lawsonia with other plants, such as Walnut Hull, Katam, and Indigo to achieve brown shades, and Chamomile and Rhubarb for blond shades.
Blond after henna: explore the possible risks to your hair
Let’s look together at the pros and cons of bleaching after using henna on hair. The decision to do a blonde dye job after using henna can present a number of risks and challenges that are critical to understand before making this decision. This is because henna, being a natural dye, can react unpredictably to discoloration.
The combination of chemicals used in bleaching could cause an unwanted reaction with the henna pigment, leading to unpredictable or harmful results.
In fact, before proceeding with the work, it is highly recommended to perform a preliminary test on a small strand of hair. This precaution proves essential to ensure that the end result fully meets your expectations.
Another aspect to consider is the overall health of the hair. While henna is known to be an excellent nourishing and restructuring agent for hair, combining it with harsh chemicals found in blonde dyes can weaken hair structure. Hair may become dry, brittle, and susceptible to damage, increasing the risk of breakage and hair loss.
It is also essential to consider the amount of time between henna application and bleaching. It is recommended to wait at least six weeks to ensure that the hair has time to recover and minimize damage.
Bleaching after henna on hair: 5 reasons why Unity Beauty advises against it
After henna coloring, your hair is dyed a wonderful deep red/brown color. It is important to keep in mind that it may be very complicated to achieve the desired blond later.
This happens because henna is a natural dye that binds to hair proteins, creating a stable chemical bond, which makes it difficult to completely remove henna color and successfully bleach hair. Let’s see together why we at Unity advise against blond after henna on hair:
1. Unpredictable color alterations
Coloring hair after henna application can become a challenge. The presence of natural pigments from henna can react unpredictably with chemical dyes, leading to unwanted color variations, such as green. Attempting to achieve a bright blond might therefore be complicated, if not impossible.
2. Damage to the hair structure
Henna, although natural, can have negative effects on hair structure, especially when used in combination with chemical treatments. The oxidation process of henna can weaken the hair fiber, making hair more susceptible to damage and breakage.
This risk is significantly increased when trying to achieve a light blond, which often requires bleaching and aggressive treatments.
3. Hue management issues.
Henna tends to give hair a warmer color, and this can make it difficult to achieve a cool or neutral shade of blond. If your goal is an ash or platinum blond, henna may be an obstacle in achieving this result, as its warming effect may persist even after other treatments.
4. Time and effort required for correction
Correcting any problems resulting from henna application takes time and effort. From color fading to possible structural damage, correcting these drawbacks may require numerous treatments and the use of specific products, which can stress the hair.
5. Increased risk of permanent damage
Henna can affect the natural strength of hair, and subsequent bleaching can accentuate this vulnerability. This increases the risk of permanent damage, compromising overall long-term hair health.
In order to minimize any complications during bleaching, it is essential to carefully select a 100% naturally sourced henna product. The adoption of additive-free henna offers a greater guarantee of consistent and reliable results, as interaction with other treatments or chemicals that could adversely affect the final result is limited as much as possible.
A 100% natural henna ensures a more stable and controllable color, helping to preserve the health and integrity of the hair during the transition from henna-derived color to blond. In addition, choosing quality products is crucial to ensure a smoother and less risky subsequent bleaching process.
Achieve the desired result with Unity Beauty
Choosing to return to blond after using henna on the hair therefore requires a careful and professional approach. Relying on industry professionals, such as those you can find at Unity Beauty, is essential to ensure that you use the best products and achieve satisfactory results.
Unity Beauty offers a free consultation that proves essential in assessing the condition of your hair and identifying the best solution for your needs. Through this consultation, you will have the opportunity to talk directly with the hairdresser, express your expectations and discuss your needs, while receiving high quality, personalized service.
