Keeping the waves while using henna

[Kaoria]

So I’ve read many posts about henna relaxing people’s curl pattern and the third time I did a full henna application (with another brand than my usual divine henna Rajasthani) my wave pattern did get weird. More relaxed, yes, but also somehow scrambled. I swear I have some curls bending at a straight angle, instead of the usual lazy spirals.

Anyway, here is my question: people who do root only applications, do you find that helps with avoiding changes to the curl pattern?

(I tried Amla treatments in between henna, doesn’t help)

If nothing helps with the curls I’ll have to ditch henna and I’d really rather not. Still, curls trump colour for me so it’ll have to go. Any suggestions of natural hair dyes if I can’t continue with henna?

TIA!

[lapushka]

My hair went from 2b/c to full-on 2c with henna, but it also dried it out severely (like bleach would) and made my hair extremely porous; I had a very different experience with it than most do.

For most it is a very strengthening, and moisturizing treatment, maybe so much so that it "relaxes" the waves and curls.

If you don't want that to happen, I think there's only one solution, because there is nothing you can do to keep the waves and curls. You'd have to use amla (if it helps) every time you wash.

You could try veggie dyes.

[Kaoria]

You'd have to use amla (if it helps) every time you wash.

You could try veggie dyes.

Amla doesn’t help unfortunately. I am trying to figure out if I can make it work just by doing root applications though. Not sure veggie dyes would cover grey hair, would they? Blasted genetics, I started getting grey hair at 18 and I have a fair bit of it now.

Interesting re dryness = curls. I find it happens with me when I use bleach. Not with henna though, that doesn’t feel drying at all to me (I do deep treatments after using henna though so perhaps that’s why).

[Kaoria]

I suppose the root application question is relevant to me because my hair curls from ear down so I dont want to grow my hair for a year (while doing root applications of henna) just to find out my hair is bone straight once it goes past ear level. Ugh why can’t we have everything 😆

[lapushka]

I suppose the root application question is relevant to me because my hair curls from ear down so I dont want to grow my hair for a year (while doing root applications of henna) just to find out my hair is bone straight once it goes past ear level. Ugh why can’t we have everything ��

At some point you're going to have to make a choice. It is what it is. :shrug:

Is going natural with your hair too much for you (the grays and all). If not you could slowly grow the henna out and join the dye grow out thread as well as the salt & pepper (gray hair) thread. Just FYI. :)

[Kaoria]

At some point you're going to have to make a choice. It is what it is. :shrug:

Is going natural with your hair too much for you (the grays and all). If not you could slowly grow the henna out and join the dye grow out thread as well as the salt & pepper (gray hair) thread. Just FYI. :)

Totally, I do need to make a choice but I’m trying to have as much information as possible before I do. Going grey isn’t something I’m comfortable doing at this point in time so I’ll have to keep looking for colour alternatives. Thanks lapushka!

[hennalove]

So I’ve read many posts about henna relaxing people’s curl pattern and the third time I did a full henna application (with another brand than my usual divine henna Rajasthani) my wave pattern did get weird. More relaxed, yes, but also somehow scrambled. I swear I have some curls bending at a straight angle, instead of the usual lazy spirals.

Anyway, here is my question: people who do root only applications, do you find that helps with avoiding changes to the curl pattern?

(I tried Amla treatments in between henna, doesn’t help)

If nothing helps with the curls I’ll have to ditch henna and I’d really rather not. Still, curls trump colour for me so it’ll have to go. Any suggestions of natural hair dyes if I can’t continue with henna?

TIA!

Dying herbs are: henna, indigo and katam
Highlighting herbs are: cassia, hibiscus, amla, walnut, nagar motha
Other herbs like aloe vera, shikakai etc are conditioning or cleansing herbs.

So if you want to dye your hair you need to use the dying herbs that in my experience loosen curl pattern as do some oils. That may not be the case for you as some report no change in the curl pattern. Amla added to the henna mix will give it darker highlights and may prevent some loss of curl but no guarantees. In your case if you are noticing a loss of curl but you want the benefits of henna, I would recommend using cassia (little to no colour) for the same effects as henna although not as long lasting and a vegetable deposit dye like Manic Panic, Adore, or Arctic Fox. The colour from these dyes will last 2 to 8 weeks depending on your starting hair condition and how often you wash your hair. Of these three, Manic Panic has more dye rub off but some colours can become pretty much permanent. All can be used with any of the herbs too.

[Nightshade]

The loss-off-curl prevention of alma, in my opinion, is both greatly overstated and temporary, at best.

Loss of curl doesn't affect everyone with henna, but for the people it does, it's pretty much part and parcel with henna, you're not going to get around it because it comes along with the lawsone permanently binding to the hair.

Using a mix that dilutes henna, and doing roots-only are your best bets for mitigating your loss of curl :)

To build off what Hennalove said, any of those other herbs dilute the henna and will therefore lessen the hit to your curls.

I don't think it matters if they're cleansing or highlighting because nearly all of those herbs have negligible impact to henna based on their own dye content--- it's more that they dilute the henna and that is what gives the greatest color change.

[Kaoria]

Many thanks
hennalove and
Nightshade - amazingly detailed and useful responses! It seems it’s root touch-ups and possibly henna glosses for me going forward. And possibly cassia treatments. Thanks again everyone!

[Joules]

I haven't lost my curl/wave pattern after I started henna. Well, right after the treatment my hair does tend to relax, but then a wash day comes around and gives me my texture back.

I've been doing roots-only lately, but mostly because I don't want any color buildup. My hair is as wavy with spiral ends as it's always been.

[Dixie Derelict]

I thought I should reply to this. I'm a brand new user of Henna, and I only use a TINY (literally less than 1Tblsp) amount,but I seem to have gotten quite a bit of curl relaxing. I'm okay with this, but I was rather surprised. Cassia treatments didn't affect the wave pattern one way or another. And what I do is really more of a pumped up Cassia than a Henna treatment. I'm a total convert; but DO HEED WARNINGS about the strength and permanence of Henna!
I should also mention that I was/ am just a slightly wavy person to start with- tho I do get nice bun/ braid waves that stay fairly well, if I'm so inclined.

[DweamGoiL]

I have been using henndigo glosses (about 75% henna + 25% indigo mixed with coconut milk and water) for several years now. I had 2a hair and am now a 1c so I am one of those people affected with the wave relaxing side effect. I always do whole head applications because I can't be bothered to keep track of the roots vs the rest of the hair and I don't mind going dark. My hair is naturally dark brown and I don't want to be red. I don't do it monthly, but maybe 6 times per year (roughly every other month sometimes longer depending on growth of the roots).

Although henna has greatly influenced the curl pattern, I did notice recently when I went on vacation near the beach that my hair would wave up a bit naturally. I was there for 2 weeks and at the end of the trip, my hair was starting to regain its normal volume and wave pattern instead of just laying flat as it usually does. Maybe salt water spritzes and some curl encouragement (scrunching) might help mitigate the effects to some degree?