Heanna heads.. A few questions..

[PrincessTieflin]

I shamppoed my hair this morning, it was feeling "gritty" and kinda sandy.. and the water in the bottom of the tub (yes I let the tub fill while I shower to keep my toes warm and to keep the swellling in my leg at bay) It was still kinda a yellow/green color.. is this normal to see it washing out a day/two days after? I did a two step, one on thurs and one on fri!

Also, can the iron and what not alter the color of the hena after a while? I know when I was blonde it turned brassy from the iron in our water.

[Dolly]

I have done a few full-head applications now, and each time, it "bled" for a few days to a week afterwards. This too, shall pass!

[PrincessTieflin]

Oh thank goodness. I was worried it was washing out.. Althoug I dont know why henna would wash out LOL.. :) THanks Dolly!

[Dolly]

No problem! I am still learning as well! The henna leaves a resin on your hair, and from what I understand, it can sometimes take several washes to get the bulk of it out.

[akurah]

I usually have wash-out residue from henna for anywhere from several days to several weeks after (because I don't wash daily, it just hangs out till I do, hence the weeks), usually anywhere from 3 to 5 washes after. The color never goes anywhere, though, it's just henna leftover gunk whatever stuff. (Aren't I so technical?)

[Roscata]

When I wash out the Henna I used conditioner to help it slip off easier, this seems to help reduce the color bleeding. Usually it takes about 2-3 washes until my water runs clear again, but if I use conditioner it only bleeds for one wash after the initial one. I hope that makes sense.
So, yes, it is normal to have some color bleed out a few washes after you used Henna. :D

[sibiryachka]

I tried two new things last time I hennaed my roots: First, I gave the hair a good coconut oiling before applying the henna; second, I added about a tablespoon of sugar to my mix, because I'd heard it can help with rinseout. Not sure which of them made the difference, or maybe it was the combination, but this was the very first time (in over a year) that it all came out with my first rinse.
I do a mermaid soak followed by CO wash; this time I could feel that it was almost gone after the mermaid soak, and the washing finished the job. Usually the residue on my scalp makes it itch like crazy; it was wonderful not to have that lingering for days!

[natt i nord]

First, I gave the hair a good coconut oiling before applying the henna
I read that the hair won't take the color that well if the hair is oily. Best thing to get most of the color possible is washing the hair before.
I apply my henna on wet, washed hair, but I rinse with much much cheap (conefree) conditioner. That helps :)

Having some color coming out is completely normal, but it might help if you change your shampoo - some pull color more than others :)

[sibiryachka]

I read that the hair won't take the color that well if the hair is oily. Best thing to get most of the color possible is washing the hair before.
I apply my henna on wet, washed hair, but I rinse with much much cheap (conefree) conditioner. That helps :)

Having some color coming out is completely normal, but it might help if you change your shampoo - some pull color more than others :)

Yeah, it seemed counterintuitive to me too! But I tried it based on a single person's report that it actually increased dye uptake for her - largely because she is one of my my henna-color heroines, and I figured "Well, if it works for littlecherry it's worth a try...". Henna is weird, and I'm still trying a new trick or two every time apply it :p This one seems to have paid off; my roots are holding up better than usual.

I always clarify immediately before applying henna; this time I did one wash with just the clarifying shampoo, then a second wash with equal parts shampoo and coconut oil. I'm all about killing two birds with one stone :D

[PrincessTieflin]

Ok, I did anther CO this morning.. this is the second one since friday, i dont usually use shampoo just CO, its still bleeding some But not bad.. I was really worried :)

Do any of you know if Coconut oil will fade it? I heard it somewhere that it can.. Just wondering Coconut is my FAVORITE!

[natt i nord]

But I tried it based on a single person's report that it actually increased dye uptake for her
That's interesting, I always heard the more oily the less dye uptake you'll get. But it seems logically for me that it is the way I heard it :hmm:



I'm all about killing two birds with one stone :D
That's something I've never heard before, but I like it! :D


@PrincessTieflin: I read that oil in general tends to pull color. But this was a) related to chemical dye, b) only works to a certain amount of color and c) we just proved I'm not always right :D
I'd say: try and see!

[GRU]

Coconut oil doesn't make my henna move at all.

Mermaid soaks make all the difference in my washing-out success.

I think the color we see in the wash-water on subsequent days is simply the dye that was in the leftover resin, rather than the dye that actually bonded with the keratin in our hair.

[Dolly]

When I was using chemical dye, I always did a deep coconut oiling prior. It did actually INCREASE my dye uptake. Others have reported similar results. If you are interested in more info, check out this thread http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=10495

Haven't tried it with henna yet, but have used the oil shampoo prior to my latest henna.....it worked pretty well. I didn't have the residual dryness that I had with the previous apps, and the color took very well.

[mrs_coffee]

My first henna application bled for about 2 weeks.