Natural Hair Dye – Indigo Powder and Henna

Natural Hair Dye – Indigo Powder and Henna: Dyeing hair has become a part of the hair care routine for most people. However, the color of the dye on hair is not permanent and wears off over time, requiring its re-application every few weeks.  Traditional hair dyes, however, can contain potentially toxic and damaging chemicals like ammonia or parabens. Studies have revealed that frequent hair coloring with chemical dyes causes hair damage and many other hair problems.  One way to avoid these chemicals is through natural hair dyes. In today’s post, we will share about methods and uses of the most popular and widely used natural hair dye – Indigo Powder with Henna for natural hair color.

Indigo Powder – All About the Natural Hair Dye

In the earlier days, it was extensively used for dyeing textiles. Derived by grinding leaves of the plant genre Indigofera, Indigo was a considered precious commodity, referred to as ‘blue gold’. Over the years, people discovered the use of Indigo to color hair black naturally, and the dye became popular as an Indigo hair color.

A chemical-free process of making Indigo Powder from The Indigo Plant.

The blue coloring agent is embedded in the nutritional content of indigo leaves. The compound responsible for the coloring action is called glycoside – a combination of glucose and Indoxyl. The dye is prepared by soaking the leaves in water and fermenting it. Once the glucose is absorbed by bacteria, Indoxyl (white indigo) is released, which further oxidizes into a rich blue dye. This mixture is then sun-dried till the leaves dry up and become crisp. When the leaves are completely dried up, they are powdered to obtain the Indigo powder. Since no chemicals are required in this process, the final Indigo dye obtained is not only completely safe but also beneficial for hair in many ways.

Benefits of Indigo Powder for Hair

1. A natural hair dye

Indigo powder, a natural hair dye, can be used to replace artificial hair dyes. Indigo powder is gentle on your hair and does not contain any harmful chemicals such as ammonia or peroxide.

2. Indigo leaf oil as a hair growth treatment

Indigo leaf hair oil can also be used to promote hair growth. Massage with indigo leaf oil on a regular basis can help fight scalp infections and stimulate the roots to promote new hair growth.

 3. Indigo leaf oil greying hair

Indigo leaves boiled in coconut oil can be used as a home remedy for greying hair in addition to being used as a natural hair dye in powder form. Long-term use of this concoction can not only reverse but also prevent hair greying.

 4. Indigo leaf powder as a home remedy for dandruff

When used as a hair pack, the indigo powder can keep dandruff-causing scalp infections at bay. Even when used as hair oil, regular scalp massages can nourish your scalp and keep flaking to a minimum.

5. Indigo hair pack for dry tresses

One of the best natural conditioners out there, indigo hair packs can be used to treat dry and brittle hair ends. This applies to indigo hair oil as well, with regular use, you end up with soft, smooth and bouncy hair.

Henna And Indigo use to Color Your Hair Black

Since Indigo powder is a blue dye, applying it to your hair directly will result in an intriguing blue tint. However, to get darker shades like brown, auburn, or black, you need to prime your hair with Henna treatment before using indigo powder.

As a natural hair dye, henna requires no introduction. This naturally occurring ingredient is used in the ancient science of Ayurveda for hair coloring and conditioning.

To colour your hair black, you must divide the procedure into two steps. Applying a mixture of Henna powder and Indigo powder directly to your hair will not produce the desired results and we personally do not advise you. So, if you are looking for those gorgeous black tresses, you need to follow below procedure –

Step 1 – Applying Henna on Hair.

• In a mixing bowl, soak the Henna Powder (100 grams for short hair, 200 grams for shoulder-length hair, 300 grams for long hair) with Tea Water or Coffee Water overnight. (Adding coffee makes the red color of henna more visible.) Add only a dash of Lemon Juice if you wish.

• Add Yoghurt for additional conditioning.
• You can also add Fenugreek seeds powder and Amla powder for extra nutrition.

• The next day, apply the paste on clean, product-free hair for 45-60 minutes, depending on the preferred intensity.

• Rinse thoroughly only with water, repeating as many times as you intuitively need. Do not use shampoo.

Step 2 – Applying Indigo on Hair

• After rinsing your hair, let them dry.

• Mix the Indigo Powder (100 grams for short hair, 200 grams for shoulder-length hair, 300 grams for long hair) in warm water to prepare a paste.

• Apply on your hair, using gloves if applying with your hands, or a spatula.

• Leave on for 45 minutes, or more, depending on the preferred intensity. It’s advisable to keep it on hair for up to 2 hours to get rich black color.

• Rinse thoroughly with water.

• Wash your hair with a cleansing shampoo the next day.

Following these two steps will result in the desired natural black hair color. You can use this method to color your hair twice-thrice a month.

Few Tips to Apply Henna Powder and Indigo Powder on Hair

The steps for dying your hair are simple and straightforward. However, if you’re dying your hair yourself, you may struggle at first. Here are a few tips to make the process more comfortable and cleaner.

• Before you begin applying, make sure the paste is the proper consistency. It should have the consistency of pudding, neither too dry nor too wet and runny.
• Drape an old towel around your shoulders and put on your rubber gloves to avoid making a mess. Remember that the dye may stain the clothes you are wearing.

• Divide your hair into as many sections as you want and clip them up for an easy and thorough application.

• Work with one section at a time and start applying henna with a hair coloring brush right from the roots to the ends. You can also use your hands for this.

• Once you are done with a section, roll the hair strands around your finger into a little curl and stick them to your head.

• Once you are done with applying it to all the sections, apply the remaining paste all over your head and work it in with your hands for complete coverage.

• Put on a shower cap to avoid spilling the dye when you move.

If you have trouble applying the dye on your own, you can always seek professional assistance at salons.

Conclusion

We believe that ageing is a lovely process. Greying hair is a natural part of the process, and you can choose to embrace it. If you want to keep your hair’s natural black or brown colour, we strongly advise you to use only the highest quality natural hair dyes.

While store-bought hair dyes can provide quick fixes, the chemicals in them can harm your hair in the long run. Natural dyes such as Henna and Indigo powder, which leave your hair healthy even after frequent coloring, are a healthier alternative. You can use these natural dyes once a month without fear of causing hair damage.