Henna and dreadlocks

[Artemesia]

hi everyone!

i have been hennaing my hair for about a year now and absolutly love it! recently i have been considering dreading my hair because i have always kind of wanted to and it just seems like a good time in my life to go for it. but i would really like to continue hennaing if i do (henna red dreads will look awesome!) does anyone know if this is possible?

[kwaniesiam]

It is possible, but will be messy and not always come out well. I used to have dreadlocks, the one time I tried to henna I gave up. Since the condition of your hair is not as important when having dreads, I would recommend just opting for chemical dyes.

[Norai]

I can imagine the awful mess of trying to get it out... yeesh. It might work better though if you mixed up a really strong henna gloss - maybe like half conditioner half henna? Might rinse easier.

[earthymamawitch]

I've henna'ed my dreaded hair multiple times, probably a dozen by now? and been just fine. Just have to make sure you rinse extra well :)

Jenn

[brooksie]

Yes, henna is fine on dreads. It's mostly a rinsing issue, but it'll look great.

[girloctopus]

I've never had dreadlocks personally, but I know that rinsing them can be a major pain, especially with a powder/mud like henna.

I think the best way to have an easier time to rinse is to use the finest sifted powder you can find. I know H4H sells henna for African hair, which is sold as the finest sift and "recommended for locs."

To make sure it is extra fine, I would mix it with a blender as well. I had the easiest time rinsing one of my cassia treatments after I blended it VERY thoroughly with an immersible blender. The mud was also a dream to apply!

Hope this helps!

[Fethenwen]

I've wondered about this too. I guess it could work, maybe make it more runny and add some conditioner in it?

I'm sure it could not hurt using henna on a dreaded head, it's great for the scalp.

[rach]

I've wondered about this too. I guess it could work, maybe make it more runny and add some conditioner in it?

I'm sure it could not hurt using henna on a dreaded head, it's great for the scalp.

yeah i was going to say a henna gloss would probably work well

[froglet]

I recently backcombed dreads into zanne's (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/member.php?u=15380) hair and before we began we researched how she would henna once the dreads were in. The best info and pics we found were here, this lady has awesome hennaed locks,
Hennaed dreads (http://dreadlocktruth.com/community/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=176&highlight=henna)

[Pachamama]

Hello, I don't know if you've done it finally and if it worked with henna. Could you give us some news?
I've always wanted to have dread locks but afraid to have to shave my head once I don't like it anymore.
I've been wearing woolen dreads for one year, and now I'm very happy that I just had to unbraid them and still have my long hair.
Here is a pic:
http://img7.hostingpics.net/pics/541831kalist_dreads4.jpg (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=541831kalist_dreads4.jpg)

[cheeky]

I've henna'ed my dreaded hair multiple times, probably a dozen by now? and been just fine. Just have to make sure you rinse extra well :)

Jenn

+1
I henna my roots every month or two. I henna my the full length of my dreads maybe twice a year.

Henna allegedly has anti-fungal properties, which is excellent for dreads.

Use finely sifted henna. I'd pass on the conditioner but that's because I don't use any "creamy" products that will leave residue in my hair. I only use clear shampoo and dilute that mostly with water.
To rinse your hennaed hair, fill up the bathtub or a deep kitchen sink and get in/dunk your hair. Submerging your hair in water is faster and more effective at displacing the silt/particles from of the center of each dreadlock. I repeat that process until the water is clear and there's no powder particles. Shower-rinsing is mostly surface rinsing. It's not particularly effective.

If you want a conditioner, use a rosemary rinse (boiled rosemary in water) or another herbal tea rinse. Rosemary also, allegedly has anti-fungal properties. I'm all about clean, residue/build-up-free dreadlocks!

Another poster suggested chemical dye. Some people's hair can't handle harsh chemicals and their dreads will weaken and break. It looks sad. Whether hair is locked or loose, I expect it matters how you treat it.