How long does henna hair dye last

By: | Last Updated: February 11, 2022

It is no secret that most hair coloring products can be damaging to your mane. That could be the reason why you’re still hesitant to dye your hair.

But did you know that there’s a healthier way to change your hair color?

You don’t need to risk damaging your mane to get the natural-looking black, brown, or red hair color that you want. You can use natural hair dye products like henna instead.

Henna is completely organic and guaranteed safe for most hair types. Like most products, though, you still need to be cautious when applying them. Too much of anything is still not good. And if you don’t apply these hair coloring products correctly, they can damage your mane. 

You now know that henna hair dyes are a healthy hair dyeing product. It is time to learn more about its longevity and performance. Keep reading below!

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Is henna hair dye permanent?

Yes. Henna is completely permanent, making it superior to chemical dyes. Its vibrancy can last for up to 4 to 6 weeks before it slowly fades. 

But you can’t expect your hair to turn into its natural color after a few washes, especially if you use natural henna products. 

Henna is extremely persistent and can’t be easily removed once it matures, 48 hours after the application.

This is one reason why you need to be very sure about coloring your hair using henna hair dyes.

So, henna hair dye is a perfect choice for you if:

  • you don’t want to worry about touch-ups
  • you are completely sure about the hair color that you want
  • you want to achieve a natural-looking black, brown, red, or orange hair color in the safest and healthiest way possible

CHECK OUT: Does hair dye expire?


Does henna hair dye fade completely?

Does henna hair dye fade completely

There are different dyes that use henna in their ingredients these days. But if we’re talking about 100% natural henna, it should purely come from the leaves of the Lawsonia Inermis plant. 

If that’s the henna you use or plan on using for your hair, then the answer to the question is NO – the color will not fade. This is because it can resist the erosion of silicones, parabens, and sulfates. It is one of the most persistent dyes that you can use to color your hair. 

It might lose its color intensity after about 30 to 40 washes. But it generally has to be grown out once it’s already deposited in the hair fibers.  

That is why you should be cautious about using henna to color your hair. Its pigments are very resistant, making them so hard to remove.

So if you’re someone who can’t commit to a certain hair color, then henna hair dye is not for you. 


How long until henna washes out?

As mentioned above, henna dye will not completely fade. It will just lose its vibrancy after 30 to 40 washes. But there are things that you can do to increase its longevity or slightly lose its color intensity. Read below!

Increasing time duration

Sure, henna hair dyes are permanent. But it starts  losing its vibrancy after a month. There’s a way to increase the longevity of its vibrancy in your hair, though. 

Here are a few tricks on how you can make your vibrant henna hair color last longer:

  • Ultra balm to provide a smooth surface for the henna. It helps henna to cling and set on top of hair follicles better. 
  • Allow the color to penetrate the hair shaft. Wait at least 48 hours before washing your hair.
  • Reapply henna every two to three months to maintain hair color. Don’t worry about letting it heal as henna doesn’t usually contain chemicals that your mane needs to heal from.

Fading it out

Did you end up hating your new hair color? That can be a problem with henna dye. 

Once you dye your hair with henna, removing the dye will be very hard, even virtually impossible. It may fade slightly through many washes but you generally have to grow it out. 

There are a few techniques to lighten the hair, though. 

As natural oils remove henna from the skin, the same applies to hair. You can fade or pull the henna dye using argan oil, extra virgin olive oil, and coconut oil. Mix equal parts of these oils, apply to your hair and leave it overnight. 

CHECK OUT: How Often Can You Dye Your Hair Without Damaging It


Is henna better than hair dye?

The answer to this depends on your preference. If you want a more versatile hair dye that is easy to use, then henna is not for you. But if you prefer something that lasts longer without having to worry about hair damage, then the answer is a big yes! 

Let’s compare henna to traditional hair dyes below and know the answer yourself!

Is henna better than hair dye

Versatility

Unlike chemical hair dyes, it is not possible to color your hair green, purple, or blue with natural hair coloring products. With henna, it comes with a very limited color palette. 

You can only achieve natural earthy color using a 100% natural henna dye. So if you want to rock a head-turning bright color hair, henna might not be for you. But if you want a more natural-looking hue like black, brown, red, or orange, dyeing your hair with this natural hair product is your next best move. 

Application

Chemical hair dyes are quick, convenient, and easy to use. But that is not the same with henna. The application process is tedious. When compared to using chemical hair dyes, applying henna can be messier, more time-consuming, and a hassle.

Longevity

Unlike traditional hair dyes, henna is permanent. It will fade very slightly if it does, but usually doesn’t. In fact, the color will even darken when exposed to heat and mineral buildup. In most cases, you have to grow out your hair to totally get rid of the henna dye. So if you’re so sure about coloring your hair with natural earthy tones, then henna is a better option for you.

Safety

Henna hair dye is 100% vegan and natural. It is preservative and synthetic-free. It’s probably the safest hair color that you can apply to your mane. In fact, it’s not just safe for your hair but it’s actually healthy too.

Unlike chemical dyes, you’d unlikely develop split ends with henna. The tannin in henna will make your hair stronger. It also absorbs lawsone molecules, leaving your hair shiny. 

So if you don’t want to risk frying your hair from using too many chemical hair dyes, opting for henna will be a great move.

Affordability

Dying over henna hair color will not be easy as this natural hair coloring product is very persistent. You need not dye more often, though, as henna lasts for a very long time on your hair. 

Aside from its exceptional longevity, henna products are available at a fraction of the cost of most chemical hair dyes. It treats dandruff and knocks off lice too. You can hit different birds at one stone with henna, for sure. 


How long does henna last on hair?

Henna is an all-natural alternative to chemical hair dyes. It is kind and safe for all hair types. And it lasts for a long time. 

Generally, henna dyes remain the most vibrant four to six weeks after their application. It will then start to lose its color intensity. 

How long it will remain vibrant on your hair depends on several factors. Let us tackle some factors below!

The length of time you let henna sit after mixing

Mix henna powder with a mild acid and allow the mixture to sit for a few hours. This is where the term dye-release came from. Doing it incorrectly will affect the longevity of the henna dye on your hair. It can lead to weak stains that fade over time. It can cause undesired color results too.

If you want your henna dye to last and to ensure the best coverage, you should allow it to sit for 8-12 hours at room temperature. Using it earlier than that or leaving it longer is not  a good idea.

The length of time you let the henna in your hair before washing

The length of time that you leave henna in your hair is another thing that will affect its vibrancy and longevity. We recommend that you wait for at least two hours before washing your hair. Allowing the mixture to sit in your hair for longer will result in more vibrant color.

This does not mean that you can leave henna dye in your hair as long as you want, though. While leaving it longer might result in more vibrant colors, it irritates the scalp.

Even 100% natural hair coloring products can be harmful if not properly applied. This is because henna hair dyes tend to re-hydrate by absorbing water from your hair. This can then lead to hair and scalp dryness. 

For this reason, we recommend that you only keep the mixture on your hair for the right amount of time. For best results without the possibility of damage and irritation, leave it for at least two hours but not more than four hours.

CHECK OUT: How To Fix Patchy Hair Dye


To Sum It Up 

All in all, henna is a great hair coloring product. It’s safe and healthy for your hair. As it’s 100% natural and vegan, it does not cause harm to the environment too. It’s good for your wallet as well because it’s cheap and it lasts for a long time. So if you’re so sure about going for natural earthy colors for your mane, it’s time to delve into the wondrous world of henna hair dying now!

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