Henna and Damaged Hair

[MissCharizard]

I read someone's thread that henna saved their hair. I don't want to change my hair color but I do have damage and my hair could really use anything to make it stronger and more conditioned. I have hair that has been relaxed that is just strange.. it often sticks in little clumps and feels strange. Would henna improve this or more make it worse from any of your experiences?
I read somewhere that you shouldn't henna over other processes, or atleast for awhile. Is this true?

[Lianna]

It's fine to henna over dyes, straightening creams and such. But henna isn't great for everyone, there are bad results too, follow with lots of moisture treatments if you decide to do. Henna makes the strand coarser and for some people that means less damage.

[Gabriel]

Hi MissCharizard :).

Henna will add color to your hair. Do not proceed if you don't want to change your hair color. There is no such thing as "clear" henna. Henna always adds an orange/red color. It is also more noticable on lighter colored hair.

There are many other herbs that you might try instead. Cassia is one of them. Often cassia is mistaken for blonde or clear henna but they are different. It adds a bit of color itself (yellow/goldish) but it fades in about a month. Cassia is usually preferred by folks who don't really want any color change but would like similar conditioning benefits of henna.

From what you said about it sticking in little clumps though, it sounds like buildup along the more porous parts of your hair (the ends) so I'd clarify and deep condition with your regular stuff first and see how things go.

Again, I'd really suggest you strongly think about the consequences of using henna because henna will add color to your hair. I use henna but it works for me and I like the color change in my hair. It is not for everyone though and definitely not something you want to try out if you aren't interested in a change of color for your hair.

There may be other, better suggestions for your hair though. How does it feel strange? Does it feel straw like or gummy?

[Hana]

I second the cassia! Used for, I believe, it's conditioning benefits without the colour deposit from Henna.

[FluffSpider]

Hmm, sticking in little clumps sounds like 'cone residue to me: try an apple cider rinse first, then think of henna, or cassia.
Depending on what henna you can get your hands on, you can perhaps do a bit of a henna +hair mask(not sure about the terminology here). For my dark chestnut 'henna'(I know it's not real henna, just some mix, but it was OK-not too pigmented though) mixing about one heaped tablespoon with a jar of hair mask got me some decent results with almost no colour change.
But then again, fresh BAQ henna would pigment it like crazy, so I (as well) suggest digging into that cassia idea.

[MissCharizard]

I don't MIND the color change(as I would be using hendigo), I'm just saying that I am more interested in the strengthening benefits/conditioning benefits.
I will try clarifying with ACV but I do clarify with "anti-residue" shampoo.

[ChayahSaahene]

I have been using henna for four years and it has worked great for me as my natural color is horrendous, but I would never use it for the health of my hair alone if I didn't need it for the color. After each use, my hair feels thicker and dryer for about a week or two. With the huge variety of other products specifically designed to strengthen and help damage, henna would not be my first choice. I would use natural oils, protein treatments, conditioners, etc.

[Dolly]

I don't MIND the color change(as I would be using hendigo), I'm just saying that I am more interested in the strengthening benefits/conditioning benefits.
I will try clarifying with ACV but I do clarify with "anti-residue" shampoo.


ACV doesn't clarify the hair. Use a good clarifying shampoo or baking soda dissolved in water, followed by ACV. ACV merely restores the acidity of the hair, which helps the cuticles lie flat and helps reduce tangling.

I am the one who wrote the post on how henna saved my hair.....I can tell you, as someone who had tried EVERYTHING.....moisture, protein, oils, new regimens (CO, no-cones, no sulfates, etc), nothing did what henna did for my hair. It was like cobwebs before.....now it feels like human hair. I am a henna head for life.....

[indigonight]

Henna and deep conditioning saved my hair. I previously had bleached blond straw hair, now I frequently do henna glosses. I recommend you henna gloss, ie mix your henna with conditioner, that way you get all the bennies of henna without further drying, damaging your hair and getting the bennies of a deep condish!

[MandyBeth]

Ugh, henna made my hair MORE damaged. So it's not my vote to use.

[Saila_]

Ugh, henna made my hair MORE damaged. So it's not my vote to use.

Would you mind explaining how?

[Alvrodul]

As a devoted hennahead, I,too, would actually not recommend that you jump on the henna bandwagon immediately, MissCharizard. Yes, it has done wonderful things for my hair, and I looooove the color. But as MandyBeth has indicated, there are a few here who have tried henna and had bad results with it.
I actually agree with FluffSpider that your hair sounds like it has buildup - so try clarifying first. Then you can try a SMT, and perhaps start experimenting with oils.
If you want to try something henna-like, try cassia. It is sometimes called "neutral henna" since it gives little color, but it has many of the same benefits - shininess, and hair that is easier to manage.
If you still want to try henna, or in your case henndigo, start researching it - look in the Articles section, follow threads here on the board - and there is also lots of information to be found here (http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/index.html).
And if you still want to try it after trying all the other things, start saving up your hair for the inevitable strand testing!;)

[Shatam1]

I love henna . It saved my hair too , but apparently it is not for everyone:(

[Lala3488]

henna has greatly improved the texture of my hair, i love it.. But it definitely adds some color ! You cant look that bad being a redhead, c'mon.. lol ;)

[nailzbyamber]

I read someone's thread that henna saved their hair. I don't want to change my hair color but I do have damage and my hair could really use anything to make it stronger and more conditioned. I have hair that has been relaxed that is just strange.. it often sticks in little clumps and feels strange. Would henna improve this or more make it worse from any of your experiences?
I read somewhere that you shouldn't henna over other processes, or atleast for awhile. Is this true?
Neutral Henna Hair Dye contains both henna leaves and henna bark. Henna is made from the powdered leaves of Lawsonia, a desert shrub which contains hannatannic acids. When mixed with hot tea water, henna coats the hair, seals in natural oils and tightens the cuticle. This gives your hair a rich, healthy, and natural hair color without altering your natural color.