View Full Version : Henna or dye?
MissPetite2010
May 18th, 2014, 10:25 AM
Hi, was wondering if anyone can give me more information on Henna? Also, is it better and safer than using just plain ol' do it yourself hair dye bought in a box...? I dye my hair once every few months, if that, to basically cover my grays that I get near my bangs, and sometimes roots... Wanting to try henna this time around and if there's yays or nay's on product and best place to get it, unless online. Thanks in advance..
AmyBeth
May 18th, 2014, 12:07 PM
It really depends on what you want! If you like a very warm, dare I say red/orange glow that will last until you cut it off, henna is worth looking into. If you don't want a warm tone to your color, and if you like to change your hair color frequently, forget it. Safer? Most likely, since it's not toxic and almost never provokes allergic reactions. I believe that if extreme length is your goal, henna is better for preserving the integrity of the hair shafts than commercial boxed dyes. You could read an entire encyclopedia of information about the pros and cons of henna. I suggest you go to the recipes, henna and herbal haircare section of the forum and start reading.
Hairitic
May 18th, 2014, 12:17 PM
Henna is much better for your hair! It will NOT damage hair the way that chemical box dyes will. Henna thickens, strengthens and shines hair. All you need to do is read a little of the Henna thread to see. You must keep in mind that Henna color is PERMANENT! Here's a before and after comparison:
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6001/6020662430_4d7191165e_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6020662430/) BSL Aug. 5, 2011 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6020662430/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
After one treatment:
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6193/6074587464_bb95d070c3_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6074587464/) First Time Henna August 23,2011 002 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6074587464/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
After 3 treatments followed by roots only from then on:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/11636621725_1ebffb1195_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/11636621725/) Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/11636621725/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
Henna also puts a sheer tint over your existing color. On natural color, it allows the differences in lighter/darker strands to show through so that it looks more natural than the one dimensional color you typically get from box dyes.
For lots of great info:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=45
MissPetite2010
May 18th, 2014, 12:23 PM
Okay, thanks for the info. I'll definitely check into it. :)
Othala
May 19th, 2014, 07:29 AM
Henna damaged my thick, coarse hair by making it drier and coarser. Every time I applied it I had a massive shed as the whole process meant my hair was manipulated a lot to get the the henna mud on and off.
On the other hand, using a permanent box dye damages your skin cells as well as damaging your hair.
A semi or demi box dye won't be as damaging and it is much simpler to use with predictable results.
Bagginslover
May 19th, 2014, 08:54 AM
Box dyes are definitely more damaging than henna. Henna doesn't change your hairs structure, many box dyes contain peroxide, even if the end result is supposed to be dark, this strips the nautural pigment out of your hair.
Henna can be drying, though the extent to which it dries depends a lot on how you prepare it, and what you mix it with. If your hair feels dry after applications, simply do a deep treatment, no treatment is going to repair box dye damage.
tbonita
May 19th, 2014, 03:03 PM
If you have an Indian market nearby, see if you can pick up a cheap box of mehndi (sp?) dulhan, jamila are common brands (I say this cause you mention not wanting online). Usually they are $2 or under then you can strand test on your shed hairs from your brush and can see if it turns a color you'd want until the hair is cut off.
For me, I was a chemical dyer for 15 years and henna has SAVED what little is left of my hair... My chemical-caused pixie is now thick, shiny and soft! I love it!!! I cannot sing its praises enough. But there is much to learn about plant dyes.
DKSABS
May 19th, 2014, 07:51 PM
Henna is much better for your hair! It will NOT damage hair the way that chemical box dyes will. Henna thickens, strengthens and shines hair. All you need to do is read a little of the Henna thread to see. You must keep in mind that Henna color is PERMANENT! Here's a before and after comparison:
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6001/6020662430_4d7191165e_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6020662430/) BSL Aug. 5, 2011 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6020662430/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
After one treatment:
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6193/6074587464_bb95d070c3_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6074587464/) First Time Henna August 23,2011 002 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6074587464/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
After 3 treatments followed by roots only from then on:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/11636621725_1ebffb1195_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/11636621725/) Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/11636621725/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
Henna also puts a sheer tint over your existing color. On natural color, it allows the differences in lighter/darker strands to show through so that it looks more natural than the one dimensional color you typically get from box dyes.
For lots of great info:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=45
Thanks for sharing your Before/After/After photos. Your hair is beautiful!
phedre
May 20th, 2014, 08:43 AM
There are pros and cons to henna.
Pros:
Not damaging. In fact, it's good for your hair.
Color is gorgeous (if it suits you!)
No chemicals.
Easy to use! You really can't mess it up.
No icky smells. It just smells like natural plants, kinda herbal. Not bad at all.
Cheap! Especially compared to hairstylists.
Can be done at home, so no salon trips.
Cons:
It is permanent. You have to grow it out to get rid of it.
If the colour doesn't suit you, see above.
It can take a few treatments to really take. It took me about 4 full henna treatments before I got even coverage. Until then, it looked patchy and weird.
If you change your mind later, colouring over or removing the henna is tricky.
It's a major time commitment. I do my hair once a month, and it's a full day (or overnight) process.
Not easily attainable if you happen to run out. I have to order mine online.
So think about it. It's not something to leap into lightly IMO. But if it works for you, it can be great.
earthybee
May 21st, 2014, 11:38 AM
Henna is much better for your hair! It will NOT damage hair the way that chemical box dyes will. Henna thickens, strengthens and shines hair. All you need to do is read a little of the Henna thread to see. You must keep in mind that Henna color is PERMANENT! Here's a before and after comparison:
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6001/6020662430_4d7191165e_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6020662430/) BSL Aug. 5, 2011 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6020662430/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
After one treatment:
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6193/6074587464_bb95d070c3_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6074587464/) First Time Henna August 23,2011 002 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/6074587464/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
After 3 treatments followed by roots only from then on:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/11636621725_1ebffb1195_n.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/11636621725/) Untitled (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36509609@N08/11636621725/) by prlknits (https://www.flickr.com/people/36509609@N08/), on Flickr
Henna also puts a sheer tint over your existing color. On natural color, it allows the differences in lighter/darker strands to show through so that it looks more natural than the one dimensional color you typically get from box dyes.
For lots of great info:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=45
What a great journey! I love this!! Hairitic
I use red raj and love it. My hair is very dark naturally so I don't get the red red that most do. BUT I do get the strengthening properties and no chemicals. I have a few gray's coming
in as well and they are such a nice red. It does glow orange in the sun even on my dark hair. It's like a marriage for sure but thankfully I'm happy with it!
browneyedsusan
May 21st, 2014, 12:29 PM
Nothing to add. Everyone's covered it.
Just chiming in so you can see my siggy.
I have "variation" in my hair (gray!), and henna makes it look great! (You really can't mess up with henna. Even if you miss some places, it'll blend in and won't show. No demarcation lines from old dye, grown out roots, nothing.)
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