Neutral Henna: What Are The Benefits For The Hair?
Less known than its coloured counterpart, neutral henna is used as a natural hair care product. This non-colouring powder is a mine of benefits for the hair fibre. We suggest that you discover the usefulness of this product and how to use it.
What is it exactly?
To understand the difference between neutral henna and dye henna, you have to look to botany.
Indeed, the former is derived from the leaves of a plant called Cassia auriculata. This plant is native to India and its leaves are simply dried and ground into a fine powder.
On the other hand, the second (dye) comes from a plant called Lawsonia inermis which is a dye plant native to Egypt.
This is why the so-called 'neutral' henna powder, despite its strong green tint, does not color the hair at all when applied to the hair.
For whom?
Neutral henna is for anyone who doesn't necessarily want to change their hair color (because they don't have gray hair yet, for example), but would like to naturally beautify it.
This powder of vegetable origin indeed for properties of :
- make the hair shine
- strengthen the hair fiber
- give volume to the hair
- cleanse oily scalps or those with dandruff
Beware: if you have light hair, i.e. blond, white or grey, do not leave this henna on your hair for a long time! Henna, even neutral, can bring highlights or a slight yellow to copper coloring to them.
However, this problem does not arise if you incorporate this powder into a vegetable shampoo that you use on your hair for only a few minutes.
What is it for?
While it won't cover white or gray hair, neutral henna has other benefits for hair.
First of all, it is credited with a purifying action as it cleans and purifies the scalp while strengthening the hair fiber.
This powder is particularly interesting if you suffer from dandruff or oily hair because it regulates excess sebum.
Just like coloring henna, neutral henna also has a sheathing action. This property is interesting in several cases.
Thus, one can use this product:
- as a natural anti-lice treatment to prevent nits from clinging to the hair
- as a volumizing treatment to give hold, volume and shine to fine hair
- as a repairing treatment to restore vitality to damaged hair
How to use it?
Neutral henna comes in the form of a green and fairly volatile powder.
You need to mix it with warm water to form a paste that you apply to dry hair like a mask.
When preparing the paste, avoid using metal utensils.
To get the full benefits of neutral henna, it is advisable to leave the product on your hair for at least 30 to 60 minutes, under a charlotte or stretch wrap.
It is important to cover the hair with film as the henna paste must remain moist throughout the application time.
At the end of the application time, rinse your hair before shampooing.
In order not to strip the hair fiber and to keep the sheathing effect of the henna, choose a 100% organic and plant-based shampoo.
Good to know
You can also mix neutral henna with other natural ingredients to make hair care products, hair masks or simple shampoos :
- with colouring henna to dilute it and reduce its colouring effect
- with powders rich in saponin to make vegetable shampoo
- with decoctions of plants instead of hot water, for example a decoction of rosemary for a better cleansing effect against dandruff
Just remember to adjust the amount of powder needed according to the length of your hair.
What are the precautions for use?
Since henna powder is very volatile, handle it with care and avoid contact with the eyes.
Even though it is neutral henna that does not color the hair, this product can stain. Remember to bring Gloves and protect your clothes with an apron when using it.
Of course, you should keep this powder out of reach of children.
