Hair Coloring: Henna (Lawsonia Inermis)

Touching an unbroken henna leaf will not bleed the dye onto your skin. The "lawsone molecules" will only act as a coloring agent when released from the henna leaf and combined with a source of moisture. This is how the dye or coloring paste is usually prepared. The Henna leaves are first dried then crushed into a powder, which is then combined with an alcohol based liquid, lemon juice, essential oil or tea infusion. The resulting paste is then applied to the hair as a coloring agent.

Among the many attractions to using Henna as a hair coloring compound are the benefits or elements found within the plant itself. Henna contains natural conditioning agents and anti fungal properties, so not only will Henna condition your hair as it dyes it, but it will also aide in the prevention of dandruff.

Although not a permanent hair dye, hair colored with Henna products tends to maintain its new coloring for a very long period of time. It can take up to nine months to a year after application for the henna coloring to be removed completely from the hair.

Henna or Lawsonia Inermis is a tall shrub that generally stands between two to six meters in height. Henna has been used as a hair dye and a coloring agent used in decorative body art for centuries in the Middle East and India.

It's usage actually dates back to the Bronze Age but it is only recently that it has begun to have a tremendous influence in western society as a beauty enhancer.

Most commercially sold Henna products today are cultivated in India, Pakistan, Yemen, Iran, Sudan, Libya or Morocco. It is important to note that products sold as "black henna" or "neutral henna" are not actually made from the Henna plant. These compounds may be derived from indigo or may contain other dyes or chemicals that are not derived from a natural source. So when shopping for your hair care products, be aware, and read the country of origin and list of ingredients on the label.

Although ill effects from the use of Henna are rare, as in exposure to any products, an allergic reaction can occur.

Symptoms of a reaction may include itching, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest area.

Some children have shown severe reactive symptoms after their hair has been dyed with Henna products so care should be taken when using this product on younger persons.

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http://beauty.iloveindia.com/henna/for-hair.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_coloring

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna

http://hennaking.com/henna_hair_dye.htm

http://www.everydayhenna.com/faq_henna_hair.html