Henna hair refers to hair that has been colored or treated using dye made from the natural henna plant.
Specifically, henna hair dye is created from the leaves of the lawsonia inermis – also known as the henna plant. These leaves are harvested and then ground into a fine, richly pigmented powder. This powder is subsequently mixed with a liquid to form a thick, mud-like paste, which is then applied to hair to impart a deep stain.
How is Natural Henna Hair Dye Made?
The process of creating the dye used for "henna hair" is straightforward and entirely plant-based:
- Harvesting: Leaves are collected from the lawsonia inermis plant.
- Grinding: The harvested leaves are processed into a fine powder. This powder contains the natural pigment responsible for the staining effect.
- Mixing: The pigmented powder is then combined with a liquid (often water, tea, or coffee) to form a spreadable paste with a consistency often described as "mud-like."
When this paste is applied to hair, the natural dye molecules bind to the keratin protein, resulting in a lasting color. The resulting color on hair typically ranges from red to reddish-brown, depending on the natural hair color and how the henna is mixed and applied.
