Neutral henna, also known as Cassia Obovata, is an exceptional treatment that is still not widely used in hair salons. And yet, it helps to strengthen and deeply hydrate the hair. Do you really know all of its benefits and advantages? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the subject and explain why you should absolutely integrate it into your salon.
Neutral or natural henna comes from the Cassia plant, which grows mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. Be careful not to confuse it with traditional henna, derived from the leaves of Lawsonia inermis, which contains pigments that color the hair. In short, neutral henna is considered a treatment and has absolutely no effect on hair color. Traditional henna, on the other hand, is specifically used for coloring hair. Henna and neutral henna therefore only share the name, nothing more! And if you’re wondering whether neutral henna and indigo are related, the answer is also no. There is no such thing as neutral henna dye or colored neutral henna.
Neutral henna (Cassia Obovata) originates from India, where it has been a beauty ritual for centuries. Both women and men attach great importance to the health of their hair and prefer to care for it naturally. The Cassia plant, from which neutral henna is obtained, is mostly cultivated in India. Unlike henna, which can grow several meters tall, Cassia is a small shrub with stems that grow close to the ground and rarely exceed fifty centimeters. Its bright yellow flowers are ground into a powder and then dried in the sun to create the neutral henna powder as we know, almost ready to use. Simply add hot water to form a paste that is neither too runny nor too thick.
Strengthen and protect: The natural components of neutral henna help strengthen hair follicles, reducing breakage and hair loss. It’s the perfect ally for dry and fragile hair.
Balance the scalp: Neutral henna also acts on the scalp, helping to balance its pH level. It regulates sebum production, promoting a healthier scalp environment.
Add suppleness and shine: What makes it a truly unique treatment is its ability to leave hair soft and shiny. Clients love the radiant, silky look it gives their hair.
Soothe itching: For clients with a sensitive scalp, neutral henna is ideal. It helps to calm irritation and relieve discomfort on the scalp.
Organic neutral henna can be used in several ways. On its own, it acts as a deep treatment, providing all the previously mentioned benefits without altering the hair’s color. Neutral henna is applied in the same way as any other plant-based hair dye. Simply mix the neutral henna powder with water until you obtain a smooth, creamy paste. Once prepared, apply the mixture evenly throughout the hair, from the scalp to the ends. Leave it on for a maximum of 20 minutes.
And what about walnut husk? Neutral henna and walnut husk are indeed often associated. Walnut husk is a brown powder obtained from the walnut shell, which gives beautiful warm brown highlights to chestnut hair, but it does not have sufficient coloring power to cover white hair. That’s why we combine walnut husk with traditional henna (and not with neutral henna) in one of our pigments, Cold Chestnut, to take advantage of its color properties while still providing optimal grey coverage.
To make neutral henna a key part of your hair salon, we recommend offering it as a standalone treatment.
At Hairborist, we are used to working with a menu system alongside our partner salons. This allows the treatment to be easily integrated into a “cut/blow-dry” menu. The client can then choose whether they prefer to benefit from a deep treatment with neutral henna, or instead opt for an oil treatment, our signature specialty.
Our unique approach is not to offer the treatment as an extra add-on, but rather as an integral part of the menu. This way, every client has the opportunity to select their preferred option without feeling like they are paying extra for a treatment. When clients are faced with a surcharge for a treatment, they don’t always say yes, since their first thought is often about the additional cost. By including neutral henna care within your menu, you maximize client acceptance and satisfaction!
Just like with plant-based coloring, neutral henna requires a processing time. It should be left on for a maximum of 20 minutes, allowing the hair to fully absorb the treatment. During this time, you can easily attend to another client—making the treatment highly profitable!
Integrating neutral henna into your salon will also help you stand out from the competition. Very few hairdressers currently offer this type of service. Colorless henna can be used at any age and by anyone. It’s a great alternative for clients who don’t want to color their hair but still want to enjoy the many benefits of plant-based treatments.
Don’t hesitate to highlight its benefits to your clients and explain what organic neutral henna truly represents.
There are many misconceptions about natural coloring, and one of the most common is the supposed incompatibility between plant-based coloring and oxidative coloring. While we strongly recommend avoiding synthetic pigment, for the sake of your health and the environment, this assumption is completely false. Applying a neutral henna treatment to your hair after chemical coloring will not cause breakage or trigger any kind of reaction.
And the same is true in the opposite direction: it is absolutely possible to perform oxidative coloring on top of neutral henna. If you are not yet ready to make the switch to plant-based coloring, neutral henna is an excellent alternative. It allows you to gently discover the benefits of natural treatments, while its nourishing action helps to counterbalance (at least partially) the damaging effects of chemical dyes, such as dryness and dullness.
In short, neutral henna and chemical coloring are perfectly compatible.
As you can see, neutral henna powder has a lot to offer and is suitable for the whole family. It is a gentle, natural treatment that cares for the hair from roots to ends, without altering its color.
