Knowledge Base:  
Ancient Sunrise® Indigo for Hair Instructions
Last Updated: 11/09/2021

Ancient Sunrise® Indigo for Hair Instructions

Please read these instructions fully before beginning.If you have any questions, click here to contact Ancient Sunrise® Customer Service.
If you are concerned about sensitivities, conduct a patch test prior to using this product. Some people who have mold spore allergies may experience a cross-reaction with indigo.

Ancient Sunrise® carries two types of Indigo:

  • Ancient Sunrise® Sudina Indigo
    • Standard quality indigo.
  • Ancient Sunrise® Zekhara Indigo
    • Finely sifted
      • Great for relaxed, natural, or fragile hair types.
About 100g of Ancient Sunrise® Indigo is needed for every 5 inches of hair.This may vary depending on density and porosity of the hair.

Hair Prep

Shampoo hair immediately before applying the paste. Skip conditioner and oil-based products. For best results, use clarifying shampoo and/or Ancient Sunrise® Rainwash Mineral Treatment, especially if you have hard water.

Mixing Indigo

Note: If you're using henna in addition to indigo, you can get the henna instructions here: https://www.mehandi.com/kb_results.asp?ID=1
Indigo paste does not need to dye-release. Do not mix indigo before you're ready to apply your paste.
DO NOT add oils, conditioners, or any additional ingredients to any part of the paste, as these will affect the results.

  1. Pour indigo powder in any kind of bowl
  2. Slowly add room temperature distilled water until the consistency is similar to sour cream.
For more effective dye uptake on resistant hair, add 1 teaspoon of table salt to every 100g indigo powder.
For a creamier consistency, add 2g Ancient Sunrise® CMC Powder (1/2 a teaspoon) for every 100g indigo powder.

Application

Hair can be either damp or dry when applying the paste. Use gloves.
  1. Apply the paste thickly to hair in ¼ inch sections at a time. Massage the paste into each section to ensure complete saturation.
  2. Cover hair with plastic wrap.
  3. Leave paste in hair for 3-4 hours. Keep paste moist and warm for best results.
Indigo’s dye begins to demise after 4 hours. Leaving the paste on longer may result in warmer tones than desired.

Rinsing

Soak hair in warm water to dissolve the paste. Apply conditioner liberally to loosen remaining residue, then rinse and shampoo. Repeat as necessary until water runs clear or almost clear. Condition, dry, and style as normal.

Aftercare

It is fine to shampoo, condition, and style hair as normal immediately after coloring. Avoid coconut oil, as this can pull out any loose indigo molecules that have not fully binded to the keratin.
The color will oxidize over the following week. Wait at least three days before deciding if you need to do touch-ups. If the hair feels crunchy or dry, this is normal and will subside in a few days. Conditioner, apple cider vinegar, and/or cold water will help smooth the cuticle. Excessive heat may cause color to darken.
Indigo should be kept in a dry, dark space. Never freeze indigo.

Sample Test

Conduct a sample test on hair harvested from your brush or on an inconspicuous area of the head before doing a full-head treatment. If the result is not what you expected, email [email protected] and send our henna specialist a photo of your results and a photo of what you are looking for.

Patch Test

  1. To test for sensitivities, mix a small amount of indigo powder with distilled water.
  2. Apply the paste to inner forearm, cover with gauze or a bandage, and leave it on for the day, or overnight.
  3. Rinse away the paste and watch for a reaction during the following 24-48 hours.
Common reactions to indigo include itching, sneezing, and headaches. Ancient Sunrise® Indigo DOES NOT contain PPD, metallic salts, or other chemical adulterants. If you experience a reaction, contact Customer Service. Contact a doctor if you have further concerns.

Quick Mixes

Dark Blonde to Medium Brunette: Equal parts henna, cassia, and indigo
Medium Brunette: Equal parts henna and indigo
Dark Brunette: 1 part henna; 2 parts indigo
Warm Black: 1 part henna; 3 parts indigo
Black: 1st application henna; shampoo; 2nd application indigo up to 48 hours after henna.
Results will vary depending on initial hair color and choice of acidic liquid or fruit acid powder. Please contact Customer Service if you are unsure of what mix to use.


Note on Mineral Build-up

Tap water, well water, and filtered water vary in mineral content. Your hair may have mineral-build-up as well as residue from sweat, sebum, and hair products if not clarified prior to applying Ancient Sunrise® Indigo. These salts and minerals may prevent complete coverage and permanent binding of the dye or may make your hair coarse. Conduct a sample test on hair harvested from your brush or on an inconspicuous area of the head before doing a full-head treatment. If the result is not what you expected, email [email protected] and send our henna specialist a photo of your results and a photo of what you are looking for.

Customer Service Contact Info:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 855-MEHANDI (855-634 2634) or 1 330-673-0600
Or catch us on chat!


Was this article helpful?

Comments:
 

Related Articles
 > Ancient Sunrise® Henna Instructions
 > Ancient Sunrise® Clarity Cassia Instructions