Do I Need Developer to Cover Grey Hair with Henna

Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!

If you’re wondering, “Do I Need Developer to Cover Grey Hair with Henna?” well then check out my article below.

Even though hair graying is a natural process as we age, most of us find those pesky gray strands of hair absolutely annoying and some of us totally detest it!

While many of us accept our grays gracefully, some of us choose to cover them up as soon as possible.

Well, I’m sure that most people often just dye their hair and get done with it. But did you know that we are blessed by nature, to have a natural hair dye available for us? Yes, we have henna, which is an age-old hair dyeing agent that can help to cover up grays without having to use a harsh hair dye.

So, how about you stop dyeing your hair right away and start using henna to cover your grays!

In this article I’ve covered everything you need to know about using henna to cover grays, so go check it out.

First off, it is essential to know that developer is nothing but hydrogen peroxide, that is the ingredient used to help lift up the cuticles on the hair strand in order for the dye (in this case, henna) to penetrate inside.

While henna can be used to cover grays without having to add in any developer, adding in a little developer is always recommended if you wish to have an intensified henna color on your grays.

The developer can help set the henna even better into the hair strand and give you a longer lasting dyed effect.

Now, you may wonder how much developer you will have to add into the henna to intensify its effects while covering grays.

Well, this will differ from brand to brand of course (so make sure to read the instructions before use), but on an average it would be around 15 drops of developer, per 25 grams of henna powder.

Nevertheless, for those who do not wish to use a developer in your henna mixture for covering grays, you do not have to, because you will still get good results.

Why is Developer Needed When Using Hair Color

Adding a developer into your hair color can give you better results because it will help the dye pigments penetrate deeper into the hair strand and give you a long-lasting result.

This is because the hydrogen peroxide present in the developer helps open up the cuticles on the hair shaft, thus being able to deposit the hair color. It can also help activate the hair color (in this case, the henna), for deeper penetration.

When you mix a developer with the hair color, it will help form a paste of a thick consistency that will give you ease of application.

Thus, using a developer while using hair color is always essential.

Will Henna Be Able To Cover Grey Hair Completely in a Single Use

Well, henna will definitely be able to cover up your grays within just a single application and that is a fact, but, what you need to know is that using henna on grey hair will result in a dark orangish-red hair color (only on the gray hair strands) and not black, like hair dye (unless indigo powder is added).

Source: Instagram @ holistic_hair_coloring

While some of you may have had issues in the past wherein the henna hasn’t been able to cover up your greys within just one application and this is a possibility because of a few reasons.

Here are a few reasons why henna would not be able to cover up greys in a single application:

1. Application of henna on unclean hair

In case you applied the henna to unclean hair that contains products and dirt, then henna will not penetrate into the hair strands properly, resulting in uncovered grays.

Thus, whenever you apply henna on your hair, make sure that you’ve washed it properly with shampoo to get rid of any product buildup and dirt, but it is essential not to condition it, in order for the henna molecules to be able to penetrate deep into the hair strands.

2. Your henna isn’t of superior quality

Make sure to use organic henna powder whenever you wish to cover your grays. Using a cheap quality henna powder will result in improper henna mix consistency and that will lead to inability of proper application.

Always remember that superior quality henna will have the consistency of smooth yogurt and that will make it easy for you to apply and also wash off thereafter.

3. You’ve bought ready-to-use henna mix

It is essential to always make your henna mix at home just before you use it and not buy a ready-to use pre-made henna mix.

This is because some of the ready-to-use henna mixes contain preservatives and other ingredients that may not work well on your hair to ensure full grey hair coverage.

Will Henna Cover Greys Better Than Hair Dye

Well, if you want to know whether henna is better than hair dye, I’d definitely say yes because it is completely herbal and will not damage your hair at all.

But of course, using henna on your hair would make your grey strands of hair have a dark orangish-red tint, while using black or any other colored hair dye will give you your desired color.

Thus, you can add indigo powder to your henna mixture (read how to below) and this can give your hair a blackish or dark brown tint then.

On an overall basis, using henna to cover grays is always a better option as compared to using hair dye, as it is much safer (being a natural product) and doesn’t contain chemicals.

It can cover up grays naturally, while it also is known to have longer-lasting results as opposed to hair dye (which is made from synthetic chemicals like peroxide, ammonia etc).

Henna can also help promote better hair health with its natural nourishing properties and make the hair smooth and soft.

What Is the Best Henna to Cover Grey Hair

To cover grays you could either use black henna or natural henna. Black henna is the henna that is mixed with indigo powder to taint the grays black or dark brown.

Alternatively, natural henna is the purest form of henna that colors the hair a dark orangish red shade (the original color of henna), but can vary as per each individual’s natural hair color.

How to Cover Grey Hair with Henna and Indigo At Home

Henna powder can be either combined with the indigo powder and then can be used to dye the hair (giving grays a blackish or dark brown tint) or can also be used without adding in any indigo powder as well (which will make the grays get a dark orangish-red tint).

Here’s how you can cover grays with henna and indigo at home:

Step 1: Making the henna mixture

In a cup, add in a teaspoon of coffee powder and top it up with warm water. Then, into a bowl, add in 4 tablespoons of henna powder and pour in the coffee mixture little by little until the mixture forms a thick paste.

Then, cover this mixture and set it aside overnight or for at least 6 to 8 hours before you can use it on your hair.

Note: If you do not wish to use indigo powder, you can skip to step 4.

Step 2: Making the indigo mixture (optional)

In a bowl, add in a tablespoon of indigo powder and add in lukewarm water little by little until it forms a runny paste.

Then, cover the bowl and leave it to rest overnight or for at least 6 to 8 hours.

Step 3: Mixing the henna and indigo mixtures (optional)

After 6 to 8 hours of setting both these mixtures aside, you can combine both these mixtures and mix it well until properly combined and is ready to use.

Step 4: Application of the henna (and indigo) hair dye

Before the application process, make sure that you’ve washed your hair with shampoo (and not conditioned it) previously and your hair should be properly dried.

Then, section your hair into 6 to 8 parts and use an applicator brush to apply the henna hair dye evenly all over your hair.

Once you’re done, leave it on your head (it will soon harden) for around 4 hours before washing it off with plain water.

Tip: Since henna stains, you can use an old t-shirt during the application process and thereafter cover your head with a shower cap while it rests on your head, until it is washed.

Our Final Takeaway

Henna is a natural hair coloring agent that can cover up grays with just a single application.

It is completely free from chemicals and will not cause any damage to the hair, while it can also keep the hair conditioned as well. Thus, using henna for covering grays is a great alternative to using harsh hair dyes.

So, for those of you dealing with those pesky grey strands of hair peeking out on your head, go ahead and try using henna and see whether it can become your permanent replacement to hair dye!