Don't tell your hairdresser that you have used henna!

[lillyofthecelts]

Hello everyone,
Has anyone else ever gone to the salon to cover up henna with conventional dye, and had the hairdresser flip out when the word henna slips out? I am now sitting in a salon waiting for my color to develop after having a hairdresser almost drag me to the sink to wash out the dye she put in when she heard that word! I had to explain the whole concept of baq henna, and "yes I've dyed over henna before", and " no I won't hold you responsible if my hair falls out (which it won't)" and many "I didn't mean to scare you!" apologies. Needless to say, I had forgotten how badly the reputation of Henna's name has been tarnished. Everyone in the salon was staring at me like I was insane and like I am committing hair suicide. I am 100 percent confident that this won't happen, but I can't help but feel a bit scared now, despite all of my previous covering of henna with commercial dye. In short, I feel that if you are 100 percent sure this process won't hurt your hair, don't even mention it; yes it may be a bit dishonest, and in the end it is your choice to tell all or not, but keeping your secret may avoid a hairdresser's meltdown :)

[SkyChild]

Oh dear. Good luck! I don't go to the hairdressers anymore for this and similar reasons - they freak out any time I say anything to them about having used henna before, used home dye, cu it myself, bleached at home, not straightening (one even freaked out saying how much damage I caused my hair by letting it dry naturally as often as I can ?!?!)

But I would second this - if you think it's ok, don't mention it unless specifically asked!

[jeanniet]

Personally, I wouldn't go back to the salon and I would tell them exactly why. "I'm sorry, but I can't continue to do business with a salon that is so clearly ignorant about a natural coloring method. It tells me that you don't care enough about your clients to bother keeping up with continuing education, or even to take a few minutes to google the truth about henna." It's not like the information isn't readily available. There are educated stylists out there, so sticking with one who's clueless and would embarass you like that really isn't necessary.

[cheetahfast]

Well, I wouldn't go back, but I also think you handled it a bit wrong.

My hairstylist bleached highlights for me over henna and was fine with it. He had to take a test strand first since he did not know how it would react to the bleach and other dye products.
At the salon I went to if they were bleaching/dying over henna they had to test strand first to insure that your hair could handle it. I do not advise anyone to lie about having henna on their hair when getting it dyed/bleached!

My stylist was not really henna savvy (he understood it, but never had applied it or anything), but I was not judged for it. I think that your stylist probably freaked out since perhaps she had in the past dyed over henna with metallic salts and it turned out baldy.

I think most salons do consultations before applying products or messing with your hair, personally I think being honest in the consultation will help you figure out if you have the right stylist.

[rosalinda]

when i mentioned henna to a hairdresser she said 'make sure you never bleach hair that's been hennaed as there is a chemical reaction that will frazzle your hair'. is there truth in that?

[lapushka]

Well, I can't blame them. I went back and forth between henna and conventional dye a number of years ago, and at one time it was suddenly enough and I had a chemical burn, cut and my hair came out soot black instead of light brown. Overly porous hair. And basically *dead* hair. Never again will I touch henna OR chemical dye! And certainly not interchangeably!

[Kaelee]

It's possible she had no idea if you had used BAQ henna of that "henna" that contains metallic salts etc...if it was the latter, she could have thought your hair would start smoking at any second! :bigeyes: I can't say I blame her, because metallic salts and chemical processing are bad, bad juju.

That said, this is a discussion you should have had BEFORE she put anything on your hair. I would freak too if someone told me AFTER I'd put chemicals on their head that they had done something that could interact with the current process to melt/fry/turn green/etc. Because even though I know about real henna, and have been using it for YEARS, when someone says "henna" I don't know either without asking, and I might be more worried about stopping any further damage than grilling you about what type of henna you used.

Didn't she do a strand test first? If so, she should have known what to expect and not freaked out.

[jeanniet]

I agree the stylist should have been told about the henna prior, but it was unprofessional to essentially freak out and humiliate a client. Being aware of the issues with non-BAQ henna is one thing, but not knowing the difference is another.

[lapushka]

Yes, but what can be sold as BAQ henna can be bad quality too.

[spidermom]

My stylist kind of had a melt-down when I mentioned henna years ago. I don't know what the stylist schools teach about henna, but it must be horrendous.

[RavennaNight]

Yes, but what can be sold as BAQ henna can be bad quality too.

It can. The Dulhan henna with hands and feet on it also developed iridescent bubbles when mixed with hot tea. I tested the product after my whole jamila henna from the Indian grocery incident. It's shameful, even henna with hands and feet on the box isn't safe. As long as you ordered it online from a reputable BAQ dealer it's fine.

[lillyofthecelts]

Hello again! My hair turned out wonderful! I went for a deep blue-black color because indigo just simply would not take to my hair, thus I was just left with henna that was faded out for a year to a brown color. I do agree it is best to be honest with your stylist, however I was 100% certain walking in that my hair would not be damaged. The color I told the stylist to use is called "Inoa" by Loreal, and its an oil-based, ammonia free color. I am not sure if I'd go for normal hair dye with ammonia, but for me, Inoa has always worked beautifully over my BAQ henna. Like I said, its up to each person's personal preference of whether or not to tell them, but man be prepared for some panic! Later, as I was getting my trim, the stylist was talking to me about henna, and how surprised she was that my hair was so shiny! Apparently the henna made the new oil-based color look shiner than normal! I was very surprised that she did not know that henna was a plant. She only knew of the chemical henna, and was very interested in researching the "real" BAQ henna because of the shine. I told her about my supplier at Mehandi.com, and the Long Hair Community, and she said she will check it out to learn more. I think I will go back to her next time, now that she knows me, and will know more about henna as a professional!

[Synnovea]

My old hairdresser (I don't use the services of hair dressers anymore) actually got miffed at me for using henna. The more I learned about natural hair care here, the more irritated she'd get, because I was relying less and less on her services. To think of all the money I wasted on my hair which was just damaging it and preventing it from growing! One of the last times I saw her, I was ranting about the magical properties of henna, and she said something along the lines of: "you like it now, but you'll be back--they always come back." Umm, creepy much? But also totally incorrect.

[Stormynights]

I believe that a professional hair stylist should never use any product on a persons hair that they know nothing about or even a familiar product over something they know nothing about. It isn't safe to have experiments done on your hair. Not all henna is created equal and not all hair dyes are either. Some drug store hair colors are not safe to be colored over with any other type of color. I did a lot of strand tests and even saved hair from trims to experiment with. I would mix water with a few drops of ammonia and a little of peroxide (ingredients found in hair color) in a cup and drop in a few hair clippings. I have seen hair dissolve in seconds. It is better to get angry with a stylist for not doing your hair than to get angry because they did.

[bunnylake]

My sister is a stylist and everyone at her salon is educated about henna thanks to MEEE :)
Always take advantage of the opportunity to educate stylists about henna. I think it's getting better, really, with Lush henna being more popular now.

[Mad'sMangyMane]

Stylists panic when they hear the word henna because depending on the type that you used it could cause chemical reactions and even make your hair fall off on occasions. I agree that they shouldn't embarrass you about it, though. In cosmetology school I wasn't taught too much about henna or other natural methods of coloring hair because those aren't generally used in most salons. You should always tell your stylist what you've put in your hair or you could get what some cosmetologists like to call a "chemical haircut." I would ask your stylist to do a strand test to see how your hair reacts and if everything goes as planned you should be alright to color the rest.

[Rosetta]

It's crazy how freaked out hairdressers can be about henna, truly. :eek: Luckily I don't go to salons anymore, but based on all these stories you hear...


Oh dear. Good luck! I don't go to the hairdressers anymore for this and similar reasons - they freak out any time I say anything to them about having used henna before, used home dye, cu it myself, bleached at home, not straightening (one even freaked out saying how much damage I caused my hair by letting it dry naturally as often as I can ?!?!)
:eek: That really beats everything...


when i mentioned henna to a hairdresser she said 'make sure you never bleach hair that's been hennaed as there is a chemical reaction that will frazzle your hair'. is there truth in that?
No, if it's pure henna.

I must admit all this talk of "henna with metallic salts" like it was something ubiquitous makes me wonder - as I've never come across any... And I've bought henna from various sources in my time, and it's always been just henna. (Well, one packet I bought in a Turkish grocery in the UK years ago had some green dye added, and I ended up not using it, but was nothing dangerous.)

[Ishje]

I had a friend telling me that dying with henna was "the worst decision of my life, and the worst thing you could do to my hair"

It was years ago though, so at that time I did not know much about henna, and I did not know what to say to her. I only did not understand the fuss.
Seems like there is no reason for fuss in the first place.

[Phexlyn]

I'm not sure what exactly happened to your friend's hair, Ishje, but I've heard that comment several times before.

Since it's difficult to get henna out of your hair once you've put it in, I can understand that someone might be unhappy and regret the decision... especially because at some local stores, the henna is placed in the semi-permanent dye section! If you expect colour for 8 weeks maximum and end up with permanent dye, that's quite a nasty surprise...

[Zebra Fish]

My aunt told me that in India henna is used to make thick hear thinner, so practically sth like to stop growth or make more hair fall out (she was in India for a month)... Hmmm yeah, my guess all the long time henna heads here are wearing wigs by now :p We are just ignorant and don't recognize the difference^^

[Knifegill]

Telling a hairdresser you dye your own hair is like telling a doctor you eat high-fat paleo for your health. Or like telling your pet store you put a lone goldfish in a 220 gallon tank. It threatens their business! If the hair, body, and pets don't get sick or need upkeep, then their services are rendered completely unnecessary. I call that winning.

[Rushli]

Haha, I see what you are saying, but those might not be the best examples. Any decent dr will tell you they are quite happy not to see people because they have their hands full with people who don't care or have other issues I unaffected by lifestyle . And as long as the fish store gets to sell you the big tank/stand, filter, substrate, heater, plants, co2 unit and so on, they probably won't care if you don't buy a lot of fish. They don't make money on fish, they make money on the stuff! (PS, fancy goldfish actually require a MUCH bigger tank than the regular population realizes... I am not really up on my cold water fish, but it am betting a 220 would be good for 6-8.)

[Platzhalter]

Telling a hairdresser you dye your own hair is like telling a doctor you eat high-fat paleo for your health. Or like telling your pet store you put a lone goldfish in a 220 gallon tank. It threatens their business! If the hair, body, and pets don't get sick or need upkeep, then their services are rendered completely unnecessary. I call that winning.
Yes... it's usually all about business.
Even though I don't go to the hairdresser any more, the one I've been to before seems to be a rare exception. He did style my sister's hair a few times
and cuts my mother's hair regularly but doesn't mind her dying at home. The guy is even willing to give advice. However, just getting a cut is relatively expensive compared to regular salons (around 50 Euro vs 12 Euro, for washing, cutting and styling one's hair). But it's worth the money IMO.

[queenovnight]

It's not that Henna has a bad rep, it's just that if Henna has been used on the hair - the hairdresser needs to know. Henna is almost impossible to remove or bleach out, so they can't be held responsible for any damage that's done while attempting to professionally dye/bleach over henna. The dye they use may also come out a funky color due to the henna - Hense why she rushed to wash the dye out.


My sister is a hairstylists, and she's told me many-a-times to never use Henna. Henna is a hair commitment and once you go there, it's almost impossible to go back. Many stylists won't even touch a head that's been touched with henna. It's not they they teach "oh henna is AWFUL" it's just extremely difficult and damaging to remove and can also mess with the dying process.


So, it's VERY important to inform your stylists that you've used Henna. For your own hairs sake. It's no joke.

[longNred]

I had a friend telling me that dying with henna was "the worst decision of my life, and the worst thing you could do to my hair"

funny, I had multiple people tell me the same thing. don't do it, it's the worst possible thing I could do, it'll turn my hair to straw, etc... ironically, it was my hairdresser who encouraged me to try it, she knows it's LONG, and it'd cost me a fortune in upkeep at her salon, so she encouraged me to try it. and LOVED the results! and another friend who now works at the same salon actually comes to my house to do a really good root touch up when needed. for free. in my kitchen. and all those nay-sayers that warned me... now all admire the color & health of my hair.

[brickworld13]

My stylist kind of had a melt-down when I mentioned henna years ago. I don't know what the stylist schools teach about henna, but it must be horrendous.

I'm inclined to agree with you. My freind was perfectly ok with my use of henna before she went through cosmetology school. After she finished, she won't even give me a trim. It's like the henna is going to make her hands fall off. *sigh* :confused:

[lapushka]

It's not that Henna has a bad rep, it's just that if Henna has been used on the hair - the hairdresser needs to know. Henna is almost impossible to remove or bleach out, so they can't be held responsible for any damage that's done while attempting to professionally dye/bleach over henna. The dye they use may also come out a funky color due to the henna - Hense why she rushed to wash the dye out.


My sister is a hairstylists, and she's told me many-a-times to never use Henna. Henna is a hair commitment and once you go there, it's almost impossible to go back. Many stylists won't even touch a head that's been touched with henna. It's not they they teach "oh henna is AWFUL" it's just extremely difficult and damaging to remove and can also mess with the dying process.


So, it's VERY important to inform your stylists that you've used Henna. For your own hairs sake. It's no joke.

I definitely agree with you. :agree: Let's give stylists some credit.

[Autumnberry]

My old hairdresser (I don't use the services of hair dressers anymore) actually got miffed at me for using henna. The more I learned about natural hair care here, the more irritated she'd get, because I was relying less and less on her services. To think of all the money I wasted on my hair which was just damaging it and preventing it from growing! One of the last times I saw her, I was ranting about the magical properties of henna, and she said something along the lines of: "you like it now, but you'll be back--they always come back." Umm, creepy much? But also totally incorrect.

Creepy is the word! It was indeed creepy for me to have my hair ruined by conventional dyes in an exclusive and expensive salon, and then for the staff to tell me "your hair is so damaged looking." Um, I think it was the chemicals, dear! It seemed not right to me that they were using "the most expensive and gentle dyes" and my hair wouldn't hold color anymore because it was so damaged (and totally beyond gaining length). Thankfully, I used my inner wisdom and said "never again," and my current hairdresser (who I've gone to for over 10 years) has no problem with me using henna. I have never had that creepy feeling in her salon, and BAQ henna has never damaged my hair. I have saved an enormous amount of money and my hair is healthier than ever. The bottom line is, it is a lot more work for the customer to find a stylist who is properly educated on henna. The same is true with diet and health. It takes a lot of time and effort to get educated on natural approaches to diet and medicines, and THEN you have to find doctors who are on the same page with you.

[patienceneeded]

My hair stylist just warned me to test first if I ever wanted to chemical dye over the henna. That's it. She complimented the decision, the color, the environmental impact...etc. She was 100% positive about my decision to use henna.

[Dreams_in_Pink]

I don't go into a salon anymore but when i do, i don't give them the power to criticize my hair. Last time i went there i asked them about brushes. They asked what dye i was using to dye my hair (not making a comment yet) and i just said confidently "oh, it's henna". They only said "oh..." and didn't say anything else. I guess if you're self-confident about what you did to your hair, they won't say much.

If they did bugger me with such comments, i was going to say "I'm happy with my hair right now. Can you help me about my question?" If you don't complain, they won't try to fix something that's not broken.

If you went into the salon asking for a color change, they might have thought you were unhappy with henna.

[Naima]

My hairdresser once did a bleach job over the henna. It turned out good. No strange colors, no spots, no orange streaks, nothing special, nice light blond - was what I got that time. I think, results may depend on the kind of "bleach" they use. That was 3 years ago.

[martyna_22]

My mom's regular hairdresser was skeptical in regards to the henna's quality, and advised to buy only from reliable sources, but other than that was supportive. I went to her once and she complimented my color as well :)

[Doni]

I'm surprised how many of you got such negative reactions by hairdressers. When I went to my hairdresser (for a trim only, I've never had my hair dyet at a salon), she immediatelly noticed I've started dying my hair with henna. Now she compliments it every time I go there because it's so healthy and shiny. However, I undersand why some hairdressers might be intimidated by henna (even I was a bit schocked to see all the "science" behind dye release, cassia, indigo...), especially when they've never had any experience with it. I agree they should be notified about previous use of henna, but there's no reason to overreact if you know the basics of how henna acts.