How Long Does Henna Hair Dye Last?

For many people, dying their hair is a straight-forward process. You either purchase box dye from the drugstore and color your hair at home, or you go to a salon to get it professionally done. Both are solid options, but there's another way to give your hair a refresh: henna. How long does henna hair dye last, you may be wondering. Before answering that, let's get into some basic history.

Henna has been used for over five thousand years, with roots tracing back to the Middle East and Egypt. That said, the way henna has been used has evolved over time, as have the formulations. But it's long been known to give hair shine and vibrant color.

Here, we tapped henna experts Khadija Dawn Carryl and Rowena Bird. They explain everything there is to know about henna and using it on your hair. From the expectations you should set and what hair types it works best on, to how to prevent henna from staining your skin during the dying process, keep reading for our complete guide.

What Is Henna?

Let's begin with the basics. Carryl explains that henna comes from the henna plant — which is commonly found in parts of Africa, India, Pakistan, Yemen, and most of the Middle East. Its leaves are used to naturally dye the hair and skin, which is why it's a common ingredient in certain hair dyes and temporary tattoos.

For hair, Bird explains that henna varnishes the hair rather than penetrating the cuticle, which gives it a gloss of shine and demi-permanent color.

Henna vs. Traditional Hair Dye

How It Works on Hair

In short: The hair dye you're used to penetrates the shaft, whereas henna dye coats the strands. "With natural henna, the cuticle remains intact, with the henna varnishing over the top," explains Bird. "With synthetic hair dye, the cuticle is opened up and chemicals alter the pigmentation within the cortex of the hair, permanently changing the color."

What It Does to Your Natural Color

Carryl adds that another huge difference is that henna doesn't lift the natural hair color, but rather, it deposits onto the hair and colors it naturally. The end result will depend on the color you're starting with. For instance, if you have a light blonde color, you'll have blatant red tones. If you're a brunette, on the other hand, your hair might have brown tones and red lowlights.

Which Hair Types Can Use It

While conventional hair dye works on all hair types, it can be too harsh for people with sensitive scalps and certain allergies. Carryl says that henna prevents any type of irritation or negative health side effects, and adds that it's an effective alternative for those looking for natural dyes.