Henna Haters Unite!

[Dreams_in_Pink]

Henna is a highly respected herb to improve the thickness/health/color of long hair. But somehow, it did not work on my hair, causing me to chop it all from waist to almost pixie.

I wonder if there's anyone else that totally regrets applying henna to their hair? If there are, what did the evil red done to your hair? How did you get over it?

Let me start by telling you my own story. BAQ Henna is a very available product here in Turkey, for it's used on hands of newly wed women as a part of tradition. I was overjoyed back when i heard henna was excellent for hair (at least two years ago) and besides, i had my mom's and dad's approval :cheese: I thought it could aid my frizz and dry ends, while dying it to my most fave haircolor ever.

I made a paste with lemon juice and tad bit water. Let it sit for like 5-6 hours. It was a hell to wash all the gunk out, but i was very much pleased with the vivid auburn color i got :D My hair was still frizzy and dry, but hell, i LOVED the red tint!!

After the oxidation, nightmare started. My hair turned from auburn to red-black (which i HATE) and the frizz & dry ends remained!! Besides, henna boosted my dandruff problem (it was supposed to help dandruff, isn't it??) to an extend even heavy scalp oilings couldn't help!

My hair refused to get styled, curly or straight. Frizzy all the time!

So, i vowed to NEVER put henna on my head again, until my hairtype changes from coarse to fine (which is not likely)

Edit from the feature: I cannot believe this thread is still active :D As the OP of this thread, i would like to update to say that i'm no longer a henna hater right now. I'm actually a lover! I have five layers of henna on my hair and it's so silky and well-behaved right now.

While the topic is still active, i'd like to talk about why it didn't work for my hair back then. The culprit was lemon juice. Before i applied henna on my hair, i read all the info i could find about henna and dye release. Especially this pdf that i read (it was called henna for hair, if i remember correct) mentioned that the more lemon juice added, more vibrant the stain would become. So I followed the advice and squeezed 5 lemons to make the henna paste :rolleyes: I left the mixture on for *gasp* 6 hours! I was lucky i didn't go bald from that! I recently found out that acids dissolve protein, which is what hair is made of.

I just wanted to warn people about henna and acid usage. Not even orange juice, just plain water (preferably distilled) is enough to release the dye.

[Svenja]

Several possible reasons for you disaster:

- Maybe it was the lemon juice. Lemon juice tries my hair and scalp out like the worst tenside.
- Maybe you had the henna on your head too long.
- Maybe the henna was not 100% pure

The oxidation is always problematic with henna, so you should have expected it to turn out so much darker :( - it happened with me too. Often.

I do not use henna myself. Not because it dries my hair out, but because I never ever get the colour I am aiming for. Plus, it tends to face and become orange.

However I would NOT consider myself a henna hater - that's too drastic. Not-user yes, hater no.

[Gothic Lolita]

I do like henna very much, Im sorry that it turned out so badly for you. But I find it interesting that your oxidation color got so dark! I mean, on most people henna simply gets less orange, looking a bit more decent but there isn't a complete change in color, that why I got interested in your case.
Have you chemically colored/processed your hair before you applied the henna, no matte how long ago? That's the only thing that comes to my mind that could cause something like this.

[Dreams_in_Pink]

Several possible reasons for you disaster:

- Maybe it was the lemon juice. Lemon juice tries my hair and scalp out like the worst tenside.
- Maybe you had the henna on your head too long.
- Maybe the henna was not 100% pure

The oxidation is always problematic with henna, so you should have expected it to turn out so much darker :( - it happened with me too. Often.

I do not use henna myself. Not because it dries my hair out, but because I never ever get the colour I am aiming for. Plus, it tends to face and become orange.

However I would NOT consider myself a henna hater - that's too drastic. Not-user yes, hater no.

I do qualify myself as a hater because henna did absolutely nothing good to me :( I'm pretty sure it was %100 BAQ because people here buy henna to use on their hands, not as a haircolor. You could be right about lemon juice, but since i have allergies to many substances, i highly doubt it's a reaction to henna (mixture had very little lemon juice in it) my scalp likes to show reaction in means of dandruff :/


I do like henna very much, Im sorry that it turned out so badly for you. But I find it interesting that your oxidation color got so dark! I mean, on most people henna simply gets less orange, looking a bit more decent but there isn't a complete change in color, that why I got interested in your case.
Have you chemically colored/processed your hair before you applied the henna, no matte how long ago? That's the only thing that comes to my mind that could cause something like this.

My hair was totally virgin. I never applied any kind of chemicals to my hair except for sulphate poo. Actually, the color you'll get highly depends on your starting color. Mine was dark chestnut brown. Before oxidation my hair looked lighter than it was (hence the auburn). after that period is over, it got considerably darker and darker, till red-black.

[Svenja]

I am sorry to hear about your bad experiences. But you know what they say: you live and learn. At least now you know what NOT to use! So there's something good in all bad :)

[Liss]

Ok, so first of all I'll mention that I'm not an overall henna hater - I've seen too many fabulous results on LHC to think it's evil... but it's not for me.

I tried it once years ago and the colour did my complexion no favours. I've discovered that any shade of red in my hair makes my skin look ghastly. I thik it brings out the yellow undertones in my skin so I look like I have jaundice.

So, on my head I'm a henna hater, but on the general public I love it.

[MandaMom2Three]

I was quite disappointed at how dark my henna turned as well. I knew it would get burgundy eventually, but I had hoped to enjoy orange for a while first, went right to burgundy first time :p. Still like it though, just not what I was expecting.

[Svenja]

I was quite disappointed at how dark my henna turned as well. I knew it would get burgundy eventually, but I had hoped to enjoy orange for a while first, went right to burgundy first time :p. Still like it though, just not what I was expecting.
That's actually very interesting, Manda :) - I used henna and it became very orange right away. I aimed for the burgundy however. How funny - is it the hair structure that causes this? I don't know...

[ilovelonghair]

I'm not a henna hater, but I have problems with it too: first day when I henna my hair looks like my dream color (very orange-coppery), next day, that's changed into another color, much more dull, I'm very careful with build up, but my ends are much lighter (and nicer color) than the hair higher up, not sure if that is the henna or sun. Henna fades on me, so I'm going to be real careful with the next application not to end it with that much darker color.

[Unofficial_Rose]

I'm another one who likes the pre-oxidisation copper, hates the ensuing burgundy. And then you are stuck with it!

I look nice in lighter, chemical reds. The henna/henndigo colours I got were pretty in themselves but didn't do my complexion any favours.

Loved the condition though. Wish I could have my henna-condition on my highlighted hair.

I like indigo even less though. Mmm, green highlights! :rolleyes: Followed by radical hair cut! :taz:

[kdaniels8811]

Henna did wonderful things for my hair condition and color.

I have seen it over and over, strand test FIRST before making the plunge, including allowing time for oxidation since henna affects people differently. That way you know what you are getting.

I am so sorry you had a bad experience, the stuff is incredible for conditioning. And really sorry you had to cut your hair! That is awful. My sympathies.

[spidermom]

I'm a henna hater (on me and a few other people as well). The box said 100% henna, so that wasn't the problem. I mixed with warm water and applied to my hair for 2 hours (to the best of my memory; this was at least 10 years ago). Then I swam in the river until it was rinsed out. The color started out bozo orange, then faded to sort of a dull brick color. It was hideous! To make matters worse, my hair felt so dry and brittle for quite a long time. Conditioning treatments eventually returned my hair to a normal texture. I merely grew the color out and trimmed. Since I just did the one application, the color faded enough that before I cut it all off, you could barely tell where my natural color ended and the henna began. I don't think I'd ever henna again unless a goose that laid golden eggs came along with it.

PS - I don't think it had any conditioning benefit for my hair at all.

[Dreams_in_Pink]

At least now you know what NOT to use! So there's something good in all bad :)
That's how i calm myself down whenever i look at my shoulder-length hair in the mirror :(


So, on my head I'm a henna hater, but on the general public I love it.
Exactly that :) The way it looked wonderful on dark blond fine hair fooled me into henna in the first place!


I was quite disappointed at how dark my henna turned as well.
Same...who would've thought my hair would go black after henna? :confused:


I'm another one who likes the pre-oxidisation copper, hates the ensuing burgundy. And then you are stuck with it!

Loved the condition though. Wish I could have my henna-condition on my highlighted hair.
I'd keep on hennaeing if it did condition my hair. It only went dryer :mad:


I have seen it over and over, strand test FIRST before making the plunge, including allowing time for oxidation

It looked so good on everyone else here that i never thought things would go wrong :rolleyes:


I'm a henna hater (on me and a few other people as well). The box said 100% henna, so that wasn't the problem. I mixed with warm water and applied to my hair for 2 hours (to the best of my memory; this was at least 10 years ago). Then I swam in the river until it was rinsed out. The color started out bozo orange, then faded to sort of a dull brick color. It was hideous! To make matters worse, my hair felt so dry and brittle for quite a long time. Conditioning treatments eventually returned my hair to a normal texture. I merely grew the color out and trimmed. Since I just did the one application, the color faded enough that before I cut it all off, you could barely tell where my natural color ended and the henna began. I don't think I'd ever henna again unless a goose that laid golden eggs came along with it.

PS - I don't think it had any conditioning benefit for my hair at all.

Oh wow, looks like i'm not the only one who had dry hair after henna :D

But yours could be having metallic salts in it, as you said it came in a box. Besides, you say how it washed out in time. As far as i know, BAQ henna never washes out?

[Tangerine]

I've never used it so I can't call myself a hater, but I am not planning to use it as it leaves me mostly quite meh :shrug:

I'm really just hijacking to comment on this:


Then I swam in the river until it was rinsed out. .

I love that! You are my hero, spidermom :D

/end hijack.

[spidermom]

But yours could be having metallic salts in it, as you said it came in a box. Besides, you say how it washed out in time. As far as i know, BAQ henna never washes out?[/quote]

The box said 100% something-lawsonia (henna). I knew to watch out for blends.

Considering that I only used it once for about 2 hours, then swam in the river nearly every day during warm, sunny weather, I'm not surprised that the color gradually faded out. How could it not?

[Nightshade]

Spidermom, I'm quite sure you're correct in that yours was 100% pure henna, so this isn't targeting you at all :blossom:

But I do think it's important to note that in many instances that isn't the case if a product is packaged outside the US. Many other countries, such as India where a lot of henna comes from, do not have the same package and ingredient disclosure laws that the US has. This is only made worse by the fact that imported herbs not for human consumption are not regulated by any goverment organization, so it's very possible that even in a box that says "Henna" and on the back says "100% Lawsonia inermis" it is entirely possible that it isn't pure henna.

Many "pure hennas" especially those marketed towards hair have metallic salts, dyes, and other additives.

It's worth the extra money to make 1000% sure the henna you're getting is pure. :soapbox:

I'm not saying this will make everyone love henna, far from it as nothing works for everyone, but I think good henna, doing one's homework, strand testing, and taking the time to do it right makes a lot of difference :twocents:

PS. I am the first to advocate that when in doubt, do NOT henna.

[MandyBeth]

But yours could be having metallic salts in it, as you said it came in a box. Besides, you say how it washed out in time. As far as i know, BAQ henna never washes out?

The box said 100% something-lawsonia (henna). I knew to watch out for blends.

Considering that I only used it once for about 2 hours, then swam in the river nearly every day during warm, sunny weather, I'm not surprised that the color gradually faded out. How could it not?[/quote]

If you used JUST warm water - it wasn't acidic enough for a good dye release, and it may have gotten too hot. Plus, you need to leave it on, wrapped up so it doesn't dry out (or get everything else hennaed), I'm going to say for a good 4 hours at least AFTER a dye release.

If you are using straight BAQ henna and it's going murky brown, from what I've found - it's related to water quality. My tap water is really gunky, and it will make a very murky final quality to a hairball test of henna. It's still red, but it's muddy and blah. If I use filtered or distilled water, the hairball test with the same henna powder, same lemon juice, etc... - it's vibrantly bright red.

As for fade. Meh..... Mine fades some, more going from really bright bright red to a softer red - but it also means so far, I've not had any problems redoing all of my hair - no root worries. Alas, my hair is still refusing to go burgundy like I want, but it's not a problem color, so I'll keep it up. But mine doesn't fade anything like what a chemical red dye will - that stuff is gone in 2 weeks.

Also - not all henna - even 100% henna - is the same. I used the "common" store brand and woohoo, my hair did nothing and it did fade out really easily. I used Jamila from the local store, and I got a fairly orangey-red that had some minor (maybe) fading, but nothing really. I used Dark of the Moon, and that goes fairly deep bright red on me, but it still has that same little fade that I think the Jamila has.

As for condition. Hmmm. Overall, my hair is better with the henna I think, but it's sure made my split ends more visible. But if you have too much lemon juice, that can dry your hair as well.

Plus - allergies. If you are allergic to a lot of things - including plants - you may very easily be allergic to henna. It may cause an itchy case of dandruff then.

I've not gotten any major surprises from henna, but I did patch test and hairball test before using each brand. I know I should hairball test when I redo the DotM, but I haven't.

[bumblebums]

I dyed my hair with a henna/indigo blend about 8 years ago. I got it at a food co-op--yes, it came in a box, but it was organic and produced in the US. I was aiming for a dark brown to black. It was a mess to apply, the color was drab, and it left my hair dry. Worse still, I couldn't cover it with a chemical dye to fix it, since henna and dye do not react well, so I had to wait for it to grow out.

So I'm not touching that stuff again, indigo or no indigo. I think henna-dyed hair looks good on some people, especially on younger women, but I think it looks awful when used to cover grays. It makes me think of old ladies selling peaches at the fruit bazaar (obviously not in the US). So yeah, I'm not a fan of henna.

[MandyBeth]

You can cover straight 100% henna with chemical dye. It's if it's got metallic salts that you can't. Also, indigo doesn't cover and doesn't bleach out.

[spidermom]

Oh I'm sure I could have gotten a better quality of henna if I'd done more research, and my application methods could probably have been better, though I did wrap it as instructed, then put a towel over that. However, this thread was a call to henna haters, which I am even if it's my own fault for making mistakes, so I'm not sure why henna lovers are flocking in to extol the virtues of henna. There have been many threads for that already.

[redtea]

I wouldn't call myself a henna hater. I did manage to get a really nice color out of it towards the end of my using it by mixing henna and cassia, but it never felt right on me. I don't like myself in darker hair, whether it's red or brown, and henna has a very unnatural shine to it, it almost looks metallic. It always made me a bit self-conscious and nobody ever really complimented me on the color - I only ever got a few strange looks along with someone calling it "interesting", someone asking what the heck I'd done (former boss - that was pleasant), and someone saying something to the effect that they'd like red hair like mine, but more natural.

I spent a LONG time trying everything to get rid of or change the color. I soaked my hair in lemon juice (lightened it and damaged it), dyed it dark brown (brown faded out), dyed it nearly black (black faded out).. and then eventually I got all over highlights and got rid of as much of it as I could. My whole experience with that is here: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=24136

My final thoughts on henna?

If you've bleached your hair, don't use it. It'll come out bozo orange and people on the streets will call you "carrot top" (yeah, that really happened to me).

Henna looks much better on natural, non color treated hair. My roots always looked much better than any of my color treated length. If you have dark blonde hair like me and feel like you have to try henna, stick to a henna/cassia mix. I think my ratio at the end was something like 1/3 henna to 2/3 cassia.

Henna looks really nice on naturally dark hair. I've seen it in person a few times and thought it looked beautiful.

Be sure you have a lot of patience and are willing to chop off many inches and cause a lot of damage to your hair when you decide to get rid of it.

Oh, and it's so much easier if you just decide to accept your natural coloring. It's nice not having to dye my eyebrows every two weeks. :lol:

[Nightshade]

Oh I'm sure I could have gotten a better quality of henna if I'd done more research, and my application methods could probably have been better, though I did wrap it as instructed, then put a towel over that. However, this thread was a call to henna haters, which I am even if it's my own fault for making mistakes, so I'm not sure why henna lovers are flocking in to extol the virtues of henna. There have been many threads for that already.

:shrug: I'm sure it's in part because a portion of the henna horror stories are user error, and in that case, it really isn't the fault of henna, though one is perfectly within their rights to hate it for whatever reason.

Maybe I've just seen too many threads where it's "OMG you mean henna is RED and it DOESN'T WASH OUT??!!!111" to feel that too often people just jump right into henna without reading and are pissed about things (like the red color and permanency) which are clearly spelled out all over the internet.

In your case I'm confident that you're one of a number of people whose hair reacts poorly to henna. Dry hair that breaks off happens, and that, imho, is a legit reason to declare one's hatred for the stuff.

I guess what I'm trying to say is there's two camps- one where henna legitimately didn't work for one's hair, and one camp where (and you may remember this) we had someone extolling their hatred for henna because they mixed it too thick, put it on dry hair, it couldn't be worked in, started to dry, so the person flipped out and raked it out with a brush :bigeyes:

One is a more fair reason for declaring hatred than the other in my mind. Much as I love the stuff, I'll be the first to say it's a disaster waiting to happen (or one that did happen) for, I'd wager, more people than not.

:)

[Dreams_in_Pink]

People trust boxed products way too much IMO. I've seen boxed %100 pure coconut oil with all the certificates and stuff on the label, but oil was in liquid state at room temperature. I also saw liquid castor oil which also claimed to be %100 pure.

The henna i bought was for body application. It was sold in a herbs store (whatever you call it). It wasn't boxed or mixed specially for hair, it was meant to be applied on the body. You need to take my word on it because hennaeing IS very popular here in Turkey, way more popular than US. End of that story.

On another note, yes, i read everything online about hennaeing hair. I did exactly what was advised (like lemon juice, i knew it would intensify color and aid in dye release. I wanted red red hair) and I knew it was going to oxidize and go darker in time. But nowhere online did i read that henna might thicken strands and make it less manageable while aggravating dandruff.

Yes, it was my fault that i did not do a strand test. Shoot me for that one, but keep in mind that it's nearly impossible to hear a word about side effects henna might cause.

Bottom line is that i will not henna my hair again. The reason i started this thread is to hear if someone else got bad results from henna the way i did, and let them share their failure stories. I'm not asking for help about henna (there are many threads out there for that) cause even if it conditions my hair wonderfully when applied correctly, i never want that red-black on my hair.

Hey, even coconut oil doesn't work for everyone. Just because %99 of people got excellent results does not mean %1 should try to make it work.

[melikai]

Like Tangerine, henna makes me go "meh". Years ago, I tried cassia and all it did was turn my hair to hay. I get enough of the hay effect with my regular hair. :lol:

[bumblebums]

Ya know, all through childhood I watched my mom use henna and indigo to cover up grays and to add body to her hair. When I was old enough, I'd help her apply the stuff on her hair. The collective wisdom of the interweb wasn't there to guide us at the time, but we had centuries of tradition and hand-me-down advice to refer to, so we weren't completely in the dark as far as how the stuff works. It may be new to some people in the west, but it's been used in the old world for centuries. It's not exactly rocket science.

Henna's drying effect is well-known, as is the fluffing/thickening effect. The unpredictability of color is another issue. Henna and indigo are plants, so they are susceptible to spoilage, and they vary from batch to batch. You can't blame all bad results on failure to follow instructions. Just like you have to be prepared for the occasional bug in your organic salad, you have to be prepared for the occasional bad batch of henna.

[serious]

Dreams in Pink,
how green was the powder you used? If it was too green, it probably had some dye added, to make it look fresher.

Last year, my DD's boyfriend traveled to Istanbul and I asked him to buy me some henna there( yes, it's almost impossible to find BAQ henna here where I live :(). He bought one kilo of the most expensive henna he could find, as people told him it was the high quality henna on the market. When I saw it , I was totally surprised, it didn't look like henna at all, it was too green! Everything else was
ok, the smell, the stain and all, but it just didn't look right! So I did some research and discovered that it's pretty common the manufacturers add some other dyes in henna, just to make it look fresher. (http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/processing/greendye.html)
My hair loves henna, but this one, which I use occasionally, always makes it dry and brittle!

I'm not suggesting that this caused the bad result you got on your hair, but, who knows?

[Dreams_in_Pink]

Ya know, all through childhood I watched my mom use henna and indigo to cover up grays and to add body to her hair. When I was old enough, I'd help her apply the stuff on her hair. The collective wisdom of the interweb wasn't there to guide us at the time, but we had centuries of tradition and hand-me-down advice to refer to, so we weren't completely in the dark as far as how the stuff works. It may be new to some people in the west, but it's been used in the old world for centuries. It's not exactly rocket science.

Henna's drying effect is well-known, as is the fluffing/thickening effect. The unpredictability of color is another issue. Henna and indigo are plants, so they are susceptible to spoilage, and they vary from batch to batch. You can't blame all bad results on failure to follow instructions. Just like you have to be prepared for the occasional bug in your organic salad, you have to be prepared for the occasional bad batch of henna.

I was unlucky that my mom (and her mom, apparently) missed on the tradition of hennaing hair. Mom didn't know much except for henna is "good" for hair and it gave a red tint. I was alone with the interwebs :D I wish there was enough info on what could happen when something goes wrong, as in, listing the risks of using henna. People who make a research over henna would be amazed at how "miraculous" henna is, but in reality, it might or might not work. I really wouldn't have attempted it if i heard a single person saying how frizzier their hair became after henna.

I'm not really blaming anyone for this. Someone should mention the risks of using henna. Because when things go wrong with something permanent like henna, you might even have to chop.

[Dreams_in_Pink]

Dreams in Pink,
how green was the powder you used? If it was too green, it probably had some dye added, to make it look fresher.

Last year, my DD's boyfriend traveled to Istanbul and I asked him to buy me some henna there( yes, it's almost impossible to find BAQ henna here where I live :(). He bought one kilo of the most expensive henna he could find, as people told him it was the high quality henna on the market. When I saw it , I was totally surprised, it didn't look like henna at all, it was too green! Everything else was
ok, the smell, the stain and all, but it just didn't look right! So I did some research and discovered that it's pretty common the manufacturers add some other dyes in henna, just to make it look fresher. (http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/processing/greendye.html)
My hair loves henna, but this one, which I use occasionally, always makes it dry and brittle!

I'm not suggesting that this caused the bad result you got on your hair, but, who knows?

It wasn't too green as far as i can remember. But THAT can be a problem. When i said it was pure, i meant it did not contain metallic salts like henna hairdyes (because almost no-one uses henna on their hair, so why bother?) but it's possible that it could be green dye to make it look fresher.

[Nightshade]

I was unlucky that my mom (and her mom, apparently) missed on the tradition of hennaing hair. Mom didn't know much except for henna is "good" for hair and it gave a red tint. I was alone with the interwebs :D I wish there was enough info on what could happen when something goes wrong, as in, listing the risks of using henna. People who make a research over henna would be amazed at how "miraculous" henna is, but in reality, it might or might not work. I really wouldn't have attempted it if i heard a single person saying how frizzier their hair became after henna.

I'm not really blaming anyone for this. Someone should mention the risks of using henna. Because when things go wrong with something permanent like henna, you might even have to chop.

I do agree that it's easy to overlook any possible side effects, if you see them at all. I went through a years-long battle to lighten my hennaed hair to copper because even in spite of reading a ton, I never caught that repeated applications would go DARKER (granted this is a few years ago, now I see that warning much more often). So, trust me, I 100% understand how easy it is to look at all the benefits and then get nailed in the end with something that's misery-inducing (the darker red looked TERRIBLE on me, but I lucked out and managed to lighten it up and then switched to a lighter henna/cassia blend at the roots).

That being the case, if there's anything in terms of warnings you feel I should add to the henna article (linked in my siggy) I'd be happy to include them :flowers:

[Dreams_in_Pink]

That being the case, if there's anything in terms of warnings you feel I should add to the henna article (linked in my siggy) I'd be happy to include them :flowers:

I think it'd be wise to warn people about how it might irritate scalp when lemon juice is included in mixture. I assume my problem was caused by lemon juice, thinking how henna itself is said to cure dandruff & fungal infections. I used lots of lemon because it was said to intensify red color :rolleyes:

[bumblebums]

I was unlucky that my mom (and her mom, apparently) missed on the tradition of hennaing hair. Mom didn't know much except for henna is "good" for hair and it gave a red tint. I was alone with the interwebs :D I wish there was enough info on what could happen when something goes wrong, as in, listing the risks of using henna. People who make a research over henna would be amazed at how "miraculous" henna is, but in reality, it might or might not work. I really wouldn't have attempted it if i heard a single person saying how frizzier their hair became after henna.

I'm not really blaming anyone for this. Someone should mention the risks of using henna. Because when things go wrong with something permanent like henna, you might even have to chop.

Exactly--there may not be anyone to blame. It's not necessarily metallic salts, and it's not necessarily your technique. It could be that the batch of henna wasn't quite right. And I'm sure the henna folklore varies from country to country. Maybe it has a 100% good reputation in Turkey--but it is also possible that the reputation predates modern shampoo+conditioner use.

[MandyBeth]

I will say that I actually found more negative reports on henna - more so about the issues with the metallic salts vs the actual plant - and not nearly enough on the dangers of chemical hair dye and "black" henna.

I'd still really like to go back to a black color, but I'm too chicken to use the indigo. Red grows out ok on me. Black, I look like a skunk.

[Nightshade]

I think it'd be wise to warn people about how it might irritate scalp when lemon juice is included in mixture. I assume my problem was caused by lemon juice, thinking how henna itself is said to cure dandruff & fungal infections. I used lots of lemon because it was said to intensify red color :rolleyes:

Good point! I updated that in the lemon/acids section.

And I did the same thing. The first several hennas I did were 100% lemon juice + henna. And I wondered why my hair and scalp was so DRY. :brickwall:

[Rhiannon7]

Dreams in Pink, I feel for you and understand how you feel. I actually love Henna, but i once had a bad result and cried myself sick. back in 1998 i bought a box of Henna, was supposed to be pure henna, but as some say here it looked green, anyway this Henna had worked well for me for several years but this time i tried to use lemon juice instead of raspberry vinegar and hair turned out green! as in frog butt green! i cried and even had to go to a salon and get it fixed, did not try henna again for several years. but now i'm back to Henna, BAQ Henna and so far it works for me.

Sometimes bad things happen and all you can do is try and fix and then forget. some people's hair just does not like henna or simply it is too dry and damaged to accept henna.
for now just love your hair, baby it and know that you are starting over and now you know what to experiment with and what not. as always we all have to experiment to see what hair likes and does not like.

[ilovelonghair]

The thing I'm afraid about is henna and grey hairs. 2 years ago I had only one, but now I discovered there are more, at the moment there are so few it doesn't affect my henna color, but I wonder when it will become a problem. Henna on white hair looks awful. And I'm under constant stress, so maybe I'll grow gray hair in a very short time.

[Henna Sooq]

People trust boxed products way too much IMO. I've seen boxed %100 pure coconut oil with all the certificates and stuff on the label, but oil was in liquid state at room temperature. I also saw liquid castor oil which also claimed to be %100 pure.

The henna i bought was for body application. It was sold in a herbs store (whatever you call it). It wasn't boxed or mixed specially for hair, it was meant to be applied on the body. You need to take my word on it because hennaeing IS very popular here in Turkey, way more popular than US. End of that story.

On another note, yes, i read everything online about hennaeing hair. I did exactly what was advised (like lemon juice, i knew it would intensify color and aid in dye release. I wanted red red hair) and I knew it was going to oxidize and go darker in time. But nowhere online did i read that henna might thicken strands and make it less manageable while aggravating dandruff.

Yes, it was my fault that i did not do a strand test. Shoot me for that one, but keep in mind that it's nearly impossible to hear a word about side effects henna might cause.

Bottom line is that i will not henna my hair again. The reason i started this thread is to hear if someone else got bad results from henna the way i did, and let them share their failure stories. I'm not asking for help about henna (there are many threads out there for that) cause even if it conditions my hair wonderfully when applied correctly, i never want that red-black on my hair.

Hey, even coconut oil doesn't work for everyone. Just because %99 of people got excellent results does not mean %1 should try to make it work.

I don't understand the first line, because it says that coconut oil was liquid at room temperature, which it should be (usually) depending on what room temperature is in that room. Coconut oil will solidify under cool temperatures, but will become liquid when warm. I have some coconut oil in cold storage and they are solid, but on my shelf, where I have a bay window, the same oil is liquid.
Yes for sure there are different intepretations to pure and 100% natural, 100% organic etc...because it could mean that only 1 % or less then 100% could be natural, organic or whatever it claims. It could be MADE with natural ingredients, and its the same way they claim juice to be 100%. It could be that they just used 100% juice, yes, but other things are in it.
It means we have to take it upon ourselves to truly investigate and learn about this, unfortunately, more work for us.

In ayurvedic medecine, I had a consult recently, and they were explaining to me about how some people could not handle coconut oil, and it makes them stuffy and such. I forgot which they said was high but it has to do with kapha, pitta, and vata. It's really interesting.

Any herbs used on hair needs to be moisturized and adjusted to your own unique hair type. We all have to make sure we tell others, so they know that one way is not the only way. Think of all the people that wouldn't use henna, if they HAD to use lemon juice only. Like there is only a small percentage on here of us, that use lemon juice. At most a splash but 100% lemon juice, could be a major ouch to the hair.

Yes Turkey does have henna powder, as my husband has been there to travel, and know it is used a lot for hair usage, but there aren't a lot of professional henna artists there either. I have barely ever come across any, and they don't do it on the streets of Turkey like anything in comparison to India or Morocco. Also Turkey imports their henna powder. They don't grow it. They either get it from Morocco or India.

It would be safer to get henna from a place that does specialize specifically in henna powders and crops. We can't say for sure that the henna powder imported into Turkey is for body art usage since the amount of professional henna artists from Turkey are not very high. Or at least not known of. The box may have a picture but so do many of the boxes here in Canada and henna is always a green powder when sold in the local Indian or Middle eastern shops.

The henna probably was fine, but maybe just the recipe. Different henna powders can create different tones too. Indian can push more burgundy for sure. Yemeni more red toned. Jamila can be like a cool red, and sometimes orangey for some. Moroccan blends well with indigo to make brown to black tones, and is a bit more orangey then the rest, orangey-red too, like on skin.

The best henna powders out there right now for body art would be Jamila summer crops, and finely sifted Rajasthani indian henna


Good point! I updated that in the lemon/acids section.

And I did the same thing. The first several hennas I did were 100% lemon juice + henna. And I wondered why my hair and scalp was so DRY. :brickwall:

agreed very important point

[Canarygirl]

The thing I'm afraid about is henna and grey hairs. 2 years ago I had only one, but now I discovered there are more, at the moment there are so few it doesn't affect my henna color, but I wonder when it will become a problem. Henna on white hair looks awful. And I'm under constant stress, so maybe I'll grow gray hair in a very short time.


I have a co-worker that has 100% grey hair and has been using henna for years. She uses boxed henna (Rainbow or Light Mountain) pure red or bright red color, and her hair is absolutely gorgeous. Breath-takingly gorgeous. But she admits that it takes a few coatings of henna for the roots to match the length, and the hair closest to the scalp is a lighter "salmon" color. Personally I never notice her roots looking different.

[Othala]

Henna is awful for my hair. I am joining your club.

[myrrhmaiden]

Dreams in Pink,
how green was the powder you used? If it was too green, it probably had some dye added, to make it look fresher...

I did some research and discovered that it's pretty common the manufacturers add some other dyes in henna, just to make it look fresher. (http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/processing/greendye.html)

Oh noes! I've seen these little green speckles in the henna I use. I knew it was suspicious! Grrrrr. Thankfully I've decided to return to natural, so it won't be an issue anymore. Thanks for the info.

[Fractalsofhair]

I'm actually curious about the thickening effect. Does Henna make the hair look thicker, by making all of the strands thicker, or does it just make the hair act more like coarse hair in regards to damage. I have CRAZY thick(The baby ponytail I can do is 4.5 inches, so we'll see. I'm guessing around 5-6 is the total once my hair is in a solid ponytail) but fine hair, so I don't want my hair to be thicker than it is, since I have trouble doing a lot of things with it currently. I don't mind the hairs being more resistant to damage, or acting more like coarse hair, as that's what my hair is turning into.

[spidermom]

I believe that it coats the hair, making each hair a little thicker with each application.

[Henna Sooq]

Ive actually done henna on a friend of mine's daughter (she's a teen), where I could actually see her scalp. We did the henna application, and then saw her some time later and I couldn't see her scalp. The henna does coat the hair strand but it shows overall success at improving the condition of a person's hair. This was as plain to the eyes as can be.

[Fractalsofhair]

Spidermom-Thanks, though dyes like Manic Panic do that and don't make hair thicker, so that is odd... I'll have to look into it more.

Henna Sooq-Yeah, my hair is thankfully in pretty good condition, and I have a lot of it on my head. What I don't want is more of it, at least at the current length! (Short) I have a hard time managing it currently, and if it were to get thicker by much, it would be tricky. It's well moisturized, healthy, but it's just it's hard to get conditioner to all of my hair. I know it's turning jet black and coarse, like the rest of my family's hair, which will make it harder to manage. But, I'll think about it and research it more. I want the red color, the permanence, but I don't want the thickening. (Nor do I want the damage from other dyes, not to mention the health benefits with henna in comparison overall!) Thanks though!

[Heidi_234]

I don't doubt anybody's personal experience with henna, but I sincerely believe that those who say henna turned their hair permanently dry and brittle did not make the needed adjustments in their routine. Henna tilts the protein-moisture balance towards the protein side, so yes, one might need less protein and more moisture in their routine after hennaing then before.

It doesn't mean, though, that henna coats hair and doesn't allow moisture in. It that was the case, after a long while of hennaing, one's hair would break off completely from utter lack of moisture, and no, funny thing is - it does not really happen.

I agree with Nightshade, not everything is for everybody, but there are legitimate reasons to avoid henna, and there are user-mistakes that were done, and influenced the outcome negatively.

[Henna Sooq]

Spidermom-Thanks, though dyes like Manic Panic do that and don't make hair thicker, so that is odd... I'll have to look into it more.

Henna Sooq-Yeah, my hair is thankfully in pretty good condition, and I have a lot of it on my head. What I don't want is more of it, at least at the current length! (Short) I have a hard time managing it currently, and if it were to get thicker by much, it would be tricky. It's well moisturized, healthy, but it's just it's hard to get conditioner to all of my hair. I know it's turning jet black and coarse, like the rest of my family's hair, which will make it harder to manage. But, I'll think about it and research it more. I want the red color, the permanence, but I don't want the thickening. (Nor do I want the damage from other dyes, not to mention the health benefits with henna in comparison overall!) Thanks though!

At a less intense level, you could use cassia obovata without long term results, as it wears away more then henna would.


I don't doubt anybody's personal experience with henna, but I sincerely believe that those who say henna turned their hair permanently dry and brittle did not make the needed adjustments in their routine. Henna tilts the protein-moisture balance towards the protein side, so yes, one might need less protein and more moisture in their routine after hennaing then before.

It doesn't mean, though, that henna coats hair and doesn't allow moisture in. It that was the case, after a long while of hennaing, one's hair would break off completely from utter lack of moisture, and no, funny thing is - it does not really happen.

I agree with Nightshade, not everything is for everybody, but there are legitimate reasons to avoid henna, and there are user-mistakes that were done, and influenced the outcome negatively.

Well said Heidi :)

[GuinevereMay]

This thread is very interesting to me. I've thought about using henna, but I'm just not ready for that level of commitment.

[spidermom]

It that was the case, after a long while of hennaing, one's hair would break off completely from utter lack of moisture, and no, funny thing is - it does not really happen.
.

Either it does really happen or people lie because I've seen a couple of people here at LHC over the 4-1/2 years that I've been a member complain of hair being so dry and brittle with henna that they end up cutting their hair short to get rid of it.

[Chessna]

Dreams in Pink, I feel for you and understand how you feel. I actually love Henna, but i once had a bad result and cried myself sick. back in 1998 i bought a box of Henna, was supposed to be pure henna, but as some say here it looked green, anyway this Henna had worked well for me for several years but this time i tried to use lemon juice instead of raspberry vinegar and hair turned out green! as in frog butt green! i cried and even had to go to a salon and get it fixed, did not try henna again for several years. but now i'm back to Henna, BAQ Henna and so far it works for me.

Sometimes bad things happen and all you can do is try and fix and then forget. some people's hair just does not like henna or simply it is too dry and damaged to accept henna.
for now just love your hair, baby it and know that you are starting over and now you know what to experiment with and what not. as always we all have to experiment to see what hair likes and does not like.

Rhiannon7, what kind of henna do you use on your hair, or where do you get it from? Sorry, I know this is a Henna Haters thread, but you have EXACTLY the color I've been trying to achieve and I don't have the rights yet to message you. Also, what is your henna method?:confused:

To contribute: The first time I henna'd my hair I used lemon juice and it destroyed my hair! I have thin hair that was already slightly damaged, and I had to do numerous oilings to get it back into shape. Also, if you're a curly headed lady and want to keep your hair curly, I wouldn't suggest henna. It makes you lose some of your curl. It's really changed the texture of my thin hair so that it's difficult to style (I have a short pixie that I like to spike up sometimes), but it's better than frying my hair with chemical dyes. To each their own!:D

[MandyBeth]

Either it does really happen or people lie because I've seen a couple of people here at LHC over the 4-1/2 years that I've been a member complain of hair being so dry and brittle with henna that they end up cutting their hair short to get rid of it.

The acid can make the hair dry and brittle - but that's the acid, not the henna.

Also, the metallic salt versions can do some nasty things.

Fractals - My F and 4.9" baby stub of a tail didn't so much get thicker, but I think I'm getting fewer damaged ends, and my hair lays heavier. More noticeable in my halo vs length yet.

[spidermom]

Just wanted to add one final thought: henna is absolutely right for some people and they are welcome to it. But it's not right for everybody. I'm rather insulted by the undercurrent of "if you don't love it then you used it wrong." And now I am leaving this thread for good so if you want to take exception to my opinion, you will have to PM me or leave a profile page message.

[christine1989]

I don't really hate henna but my hair was resistant to it. I tried to dye it darker but my hair didn't soak it up at all! It didn't do anything to the texture or thickness either but hey, it was worth a try :) My attitude now is to avoid all dyes until I get gray hairs which will be a while.

[ilovelonghair]

I have a co-worker that has 100% grey hair and has been using henna for years. She uses boxed henna (Rainbow or Light Mountain) pure red or bright red color, and her hair is absolutely gorgeous. Breath-takingly gorgeous. But she admits that it takes a few coatings of henna for the roots to match the length, and the hair closest to the scalp is a lighter "salmon" color. Personally I never notice her roots looking different.

Thanks, I can stop worrying now :)


Also, if you're a curly headed lady and want to keep your hair curly, I wouldn't suggest henna. It makes you lose some of your curl. It's really changed the texture of my thin hair so that it's difficult to style (I have a short pixie that I like to spike up sometimes), but it's better than frying my hair with chemical dyes. To each their own!:D

Henna doesn't affect my waves

[detritus]

Just wanted to add one final thought: henna is absolutely right for some people and they are welcome to it. But it's not right for everybody. I'm rather insulted by the undercurrent of "if you don't love it then you used it wrong." And now I am leaving this thread for good so if you want to take exception to my opinion, you will have to PM me or leave a profile page message.

I agree. I was quite excited to see this thread because spent two long years growing out henna that I hated. I'm disappointed that there appears to be no safe place to vent about bad henna experiences without people telling you that you are simply wrong. :(

[Dreams_in_Pink]

Just wanted to add one final thought: henna is absolutely right for some people and they are welcome to it. But it's not right for everybody. I'm rather insulted by the undercurrent of "if you don't love it then you used it wrong." And now I am leaving this thread for good so if you want to take exception to my opinion, you will have to PM me or leave a profile page message.


I agree. I was quite excited to see this thread because spent two long years growing out henna that I hated. I'm disappointed that there appears to be no safe place to vent about bad henna experiences without people telling you that you are simply wrong. :(

Thank you both :D You cleared it up better than me :)

[ReadingRenee]

I can't call myself a henna hater but I will say I hate henna on MY hair. It really took my waves down to almost straightness and although it made my hair very shiny it also made it more dry and prone to breakage. It was weird because it looked amazing but felt bad.

Anyway I had a terrible time trying to get the color I wanted and then maintain without going too burgandy. If I really wanted burgandy hair forever I would be all about some henna. Well, straight burgandy hair.

Anyway, I tried a bunch of stuff to get it out, of course I couldn't so i grew it out for 2 years and had serious two tone going on. Finally after a major trim it was just too noticeable for my taste and I cut it all off.

The two tonedness bugged me but even more was the difference in hair texture. I think my hair does better without henna. :) And Im just going to keep my natural color for now. Hair dye also affects my waves so maybe its just my hairtype.

[Altocumulus]

That was my experience. I considered it a positive, though! I think the henna coating did make my hair a bit more wiry, but since I've always had kind of unmanageable hair, I didn't really notice much of a difference, and I really enjoyed the extra thickness. Back to my usual circumference now, sigh...



I believe that it coats the hair, making each hair a little thicker with each application.

[ktani]

I have read a lot of posts about henna on these boards. The biggest problem I have read about is that the colour can be next to impossible to completely remove (some colour is left behind) no matter what method is used, although it can be lightened.

While different methods of use can yield different conditioning results, henna like any natural plant is subject to quality conditions and variations, even without adulteration (added things like other plants or metallic salts).

The facts are that henna does contain resin, more resin than the pigment lawsone and that does coat the hair. The resin washes out between use and most people do not henna very frequently, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=92223&postcount=17.

When someone did henna very frequently, they reported breakage. When they then hennaed less frequently, the breakage stopped.

Some people have reported side effects using henna. It made them sick (not severely) and I do not believe it was an allergy but possibly a reaction to the coumarin content in it, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=403799&postcount=3110. That would also depend on how much coumarin a person was exposed to otherwise, as well as through henna.

The bottom line is that each person has different hair. Some products will work wonderfully for some and not others. Methods of use and the quality of a product do have an effect on results but they are not the only considerations.

[GlennaGirl]

I'm not a henna hater--in fact, I henndigo--but henna all by itself NEVER EVER gave me the color I wanted, no matter how I tweaked it. I can see that it wouldn't be for everyone.

Just-henna at first gives me a pale pinkish-orangish "glow" over my medium brown. Not a pretty one, either. A watery one. Just...no depth. But then when I re-apply, even if I cassia it to death, it goes all...muddy. It just never, ever morphs into that dramatic, brilliant, gorgeous red I see on other people, even people with my starting color.

It strengthens and thickens my hair but it does dry it at first. I can definitely believe that for some people, it's way too drying. My hair bounces back quickly but my hair isn't everybody's hair.

It does work beautifully for a lot of people, but then again, aspirin works beautifully for many people who get headaches, yet it tears my stomach apart and doesn't touch the pain. Just because many people like one thing doesn't mean every single person will like it. Don't feel down when you see so many positive henna threads. Yes, those of us who use some combo of herbs on our hair will continue to expound on their virtues, because it works for us. That doesn't mean your experience isn't for real and at the same time, it doesn't mean every person will have your experience, either.

When I started researching henna I think I saw more warnings than happy gushings, but I'm overly cautious sometimes so maybe they just popped out for me. The warnings were not about dandruff but I did see plenty of "Henna dried my hair out!" commentary when I Googled the subject. I also saw tons of warnings about how you really can't predict the color, even with a strand test, since a few strands don't tell how an entire head will look with the many facets henna gives.

But anyone has a right to hate henna...it's no big deal...it's just something that doesn't work for you.

[Heidi_234]

There was no intention, at least in my post, to say that all you "henna-haters" are to blame, no need to be so dramatic and so us-against-all-these-crazy-hennaheads. Henna is not a hair product from a factory, it wasn't formulated for your enjoyment or benefit, it does not come with instructions or promises to make one's hair this and that. It's just a plant, and some of us tend to see more benefits from it than negatives.

Those who stop by my blog once in a while know how much I struggle to get desired color from henna. It's mission impossible on my part. Do I go around and proclaim burning hatred for henna over this? No. Why? Because it does it for people who have the right hair. So my hair is not bright enough, or too porous, or not X enough, or too Y, it's not the henna's fault it doesn't make my hair RED red. The henna did it's thing either way, mileage, as we always say, may vary. And it does.

SMT doesn't make everybody's hair awesome, do you see "SMT haters" thread around here? No. "Cassia haters roll call"? Nope. You hate henna because it didn't give you the desired color? Maybe it can't? Maybe you had to strand test first to make sure? I'm totally okay with voicing over negative opinions about henna, I'm actually rather interested in them, but I'm not sure how starting a hate thread can be good or of any help to anybody.

[rach]

The facts are that henna does contain resin, more resin than the pigment lawsone and that does coat the hair. The resin washes out between use and most people do not henna very frequently, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=92223&postcount=17.

When someone did henna very frequently, they reported breakage. When they then hennaed less frequently, the breakage stopped.

I was going to mention the resin is a battle when your washing henna out and it ''IS" drying if not washed thoroughly through. When you think you've ridded of the mud you have this oily tea like substance (which is the resin) which takes patience to wash away - It is time consuming.
That's pretty much all i can add to this thread except for the messy bathroom it tend to leave behind :o

[ktani]

Henna is a highly respected herb to improve the thickness/health/color of long hair. But somehow, it did not work on my hair, causing me to chop it all from waist to almost pixie.

I wonder if there's anyone else that totally regrets applying henna to their hair? If there are, what did the evil red done to your hair? How did you get over it?

Let me start by telling you my own story. BAQ Henna is a very available product here in Turkey, for it's used on hands of newly wed women as a part of tradition. I was overjoyed back when i heard henna was excellent for hair (at least two years ago) and besides, i had my mom's and dad's approval :cheese: I thought it could aid my frizz and dry ends, while dying it to my most fave haircolor ever.

I made a paste with lemon juice and tad bit water. Let it sit for like 5-6 hours. It was a hell to wash all the gunk out, but i was very much pleased with the vivid auburn color i got :D My hair was still frizzy and dry, but hell, i LOVED the red tint!!

After the oxidation, nightmare started. My hair turned from auburn to red-black (which i HATE) and the frizz & dry ends remained!! Besides, henna boosted my dandruff problem (it was supposed to help dandruff, isn't it??) to an extend even heavy scalp oilings couldn't help!

My hair refused to get styled, curly or straight. Frizzy all the time!

So, i vowed to NEVER put henna on my head again, until my hairtype changes from coarse to fine (which is not likely)

Note: I know most of you will suggest that the henna i used might have contained metallic salts. As i mentioned before, henna is widely used for body art where i live. Besides, what i bought was the green powder, not a box product of any kind.

I do not see a problem with the intent of this thread. I took the title lightly.

I think it can be very helpful to see the other side of henna use for those who have struugled with it, and who may get some helpful ideas.

For those opposed to ever trying henna again, I think it is down to a product that just doesn't work for some. It is a permanent commitment for most (there have been people who have reported that it has not been as permanent in terms of fading) and it can be a challenge, even when it is liked or loved as to results.


I was going to mention the resin is a battle when your washing henna out and it ''IS" drying if not washed thoroughly through. When you think you've ridded of the mud you have this oily tea like substance (which is the resin) which takes patience to wash away - It is time consuming.


This is very interesting and helpful. I have posted about the resin content of henna before but you are the only one I can think of who has addressed dealing with it in so much detail.

[Heidi_234]

This is very interesting and helpful. I have posted about the resin content of henna before but you are the only one I can think of who has addressed it in so much detail.
I only 'experienced' the existence of resin indirectly. My hair would get very woolly, dry and generally odd-textured right after I rinse henna out and don't wash it with actual shampoo. My hair is very dry to begin with, and usually using a shampoo just dries it out completely, but in this case, shampooing (with an SLS free one btw) actually cuts down on the dryness. My hair feeling practically normal when I shampoo out the henna (of course, I also use amazing amounts of conditioner too though, but it's the shampoo that does the magic). It's like putting out fire with fire I suppose lol.

[ktani]

I only 'experienced' the existence of resin indirectly. My hair would get very woolly, dry and generally odd-textured right after I rinse henna out and don't wash it with actual shampoo. My hair is very dry to begin with, and usually using a shampoo just dries it out completely, but in this case, shampooing (with an SLS free one btw) actually cuts down on the dryness. My hair feeling practically normal when I shampoo out the henna (of course, I also use amazing amounts of conditioner too though, but it's the shampoo that does the magic). It's like putting out fire with fire I suppose lol.

That is pretty direct to me and also interesting and extremely helpful to know that the resin can be washed out with a milder shampoo.

[Heidi_234]

That is pretty direct to me and also interesting and extremely helpful to know that the resin can be washed out with a milder shampoo.
By direct I meant actually seeing/feeling the resin coming out or something, but we do understand one another so that's what important. I don't remember anybody directly asking about the resin, maybe that's why the lack of posts about it. I think it also depends on one's hair - mine is rather sesitive to dryness in general, so maybe that's why I have to shampoo it out to make my hair feel 'right', others may/can/do get away with just COing.

[ktani]

By direct I meant actually seeing/feeling the resin coming out or something, but we do understand one another so that's what important. I don't remember anybody directly asking about the resin, maybe that's why the lack of posts about it. I think it also depends on one's hair - mine is rather sesitive to dryness in general, so maybe that's why I have to shampoo it out to make my hair feel 'right', others may/can/do get away with just COing.

Ah, I see your point and yes we did understand each other. It may also be that like honey and residue, different hennas have more resilient resins. Some honeys do not leave a discernable residue, while others do. It may be that the resin content of some hennas is less or somewhat different.

[rach]

That is pretty direct to me and also interesting and extremely helpful to know that the resin can be washed out with a milder shampoo.
Washing with with lots of cheap mild conditioner works also and is a habit i can't break from in henna washing out process. Shampoo i won't generally touch as it makes my hair go horrible and i always regret using it.

[BunnyBee]

I think the point of this thread was just to offer an alternative view. Henna seems to have a lot of devoted followers who praise it endlessly, but the reality is that it doesn't work for everyone. Nothing is one size fits all. It's a good idea to look at alternative opinions, especially for those new to henna as seeing the 'bad' side will help people to make a more informed decision on something which can be very permanent.

I am growing out my henna/indigo at the moment. I don't regret using it to begin with because it was the only dye I could use that I wasn't allergic to and would cover the bleached mess I had made of my hair. However, I believe that henna caused mechanical damage to my hair from the application and rinsing and having a heavy mud paste on my head for hours at a time. It also dried out my hair and increased shedding for a while after each application. I have a theory that my hair is just not strong enough to cope with the application of henna and in countries where henna is traditionally used, the hair tends to be thicker and coarser. Maybe it just works best on virgin hair, who knows, but the only way I have to prove my theory is to grow out my virgin hair and see if the condition is better than the 5 inches or so of virgin-henndigoed hair I have now (sitting just above the 20 ish inches of chem dyed-henndigo 8-) )

I don't think there's any reason for people to start getting defensive about their beloved henna. It's just differing experiences and opinions. As has been said there are plenty of threads extolling the virtues of henna, but it's not such a love-affair for everyone. :)

ETA: I used 100% baq henna from hennaboy and only ever used it with warm water and maybe a dash of lemon juice *sometimes*

[ktani]

Washing with with lots of cheap mild conditioner works also and is a habit i can't break from in henna washing out process. Shampoo i won't generally touch as it makes my hair go horrible and i always regret using it.

If the CO'ing does the trick for you then that is the way to go. I have seen a number of posts stating that lots of conditioner to help remove henna also helps with the condition of the hair afterward. It may be that conditioner helps with some hennas and not others.

Regardless of the methods used though, or the henna, henna may just not be great for some hair types.

[Dreams_in_Pink]

For the last time, i'm clarifying this.

This is not a hate thread. I'm not trying to "spread the hate". The reason behind the title is that "Henna haters Unite!" sounded more fun than something like "I got bad results from henna. Anybody else?" as a title.

I do not hate henna. There's no love/hate relationship between people and products. Henna is just an innocent plant, why would i hate it? :) There are stuff i hate, like war, violence, injustice... but a plant cannot be one. I'm totally okay with how popular it is and how many people here use it. One can use anything on their heads, it's not my business.

I also do not hate henna users and their hair; actually, it's the beauty of you guys's hair that got me lured into this henna thing. I hated my hair in general and wanted to have hair like you, i thought my hair would be just as gorgeous if i used henna. Juts like everything else that's proven to work on hair, it didn't come out the way i planned.

The point of this thread was just sharing bad experiences/reactions after henna; what kind of mixture we used on what kind of hair/scalp and why we chose to "quit" doing it. It is very possible that we made a mistake, we need to share our stories of failure to diagnose the problem, so that lurkers and members contemplating henna, looking for info on this site will be warned about the possible side effects and the permanent color it leaves.

If I offended anyone, i'm sorry. Honestly though, i think there's nothing to be offended about.

ETA: I will no longer talk about the purpose of this thread. I think i explained it well enough here.

[Heidi_234]

BunnyBee, nobody was defensive about henna, that's the point I was trying to get across. Sometimes there is an explanation why did this or that happen, and it's not "henna sucks". I could point out few things in your experience that are probably not what you made out of them, but there's no point, because all you'll say is that I'm being an enthusiastic defensive hennahead. So I'll just say - my hair is not coarse or resilient, I do not live in a country that traditionally uses henna, and yet I use it, and I think it helps my hair rather than damages it.

[linuxgirl]

I'm not a henna hater, but I guess I can say that I'm a henna-hate supporter. It's got its drawbacks (I like the color on me, but it is drying, smells bad for ages, and fades) and it's certainly not for everybody. I think it's important that we let the people who dislike it speak up without being told they're doing something wrong.

I mean, it's hair dye. Yes, it's natural. Yes, some people find it benefits their hair. But it has been used quietly in the East for thousands of years. It doesn't warrant being heralded as being revolutionary or miraculous or new. And just like I wouldn't go into a henna love thread and rain on the parade by saying this, people should be allowed to share the bad here.

[Heidi_234]

Why not? Why can't you go on the henna thread and ask "Why did it fades for me?", "How can I cut down on the drying effect of henna?" and "What can I do to cover that hideous smell?" ? It's not raining on anybody's parade. I just continuously fail to understand you guys. If it isn't a henna hate thread, then maybe you should allow people to comment that whatever didn't work for you could be because of X Y or Z, like any other thread on the boards. Maybe there's a person out there, just like you, who couldn't get the color right or the smell really bothers him/her, and find more people with similar problem and possible solutions.

Yes, some things just don't work for some people, but if you come here just to say "well henna is horrible" and do not allow any sort of troubleshooting, then I can't see how it is not a hate thread. And I don't see what good it can do, apart from stirring some unnecessary drama.

Do you want to hear why your henna fades? Mine did too, and I went ahead, and asked, and found out why and now I know what should I do the prevent this. I would gladly help you, if you let me.

[linuxgirl]

I've already asked, though, and I've even posted a new thread asking for input. I fully accept that it may be something fixable, or that henna simply doesn't work ideally with my hair type. Either situation is what it is. People who don't like henna should be allowed to say so without having to justify to everyone the exact steps involved and all the minor details; I mean, I know the "pro" henna camp doesn't think they're being defensive, but it really reads like that when they simply can't take a dissenting opinion at face value. I understand that it's because they like it and want others to like it, but everyone just can't like the same things.

Take your reply, for instance: you assumed off the bat from my short reply that I A) have not asked others for input, and extensively at that and B) that I am so stubborn as to not take such advice implied in your wording "... if you let me". That's a whole load to assume when I simply said people should have their own space to share negative experiences, and yes it comes across as defensive.

"... then I can't see how it is not a hate thread. And I don't see what good it can do.."

Even then, what would be so bad about a hate thread? I see tons of hate about various commercial products that are seen as perfectly valid (and they are) without them facing the same grilling or implication of drama-mongering. As for what good it can do, well, it does just what the "henna love" threads do -- shares experiences. That's what LHC is here for.

[Kuchen]

Dudes! This sort of daggers-drawn stuff belongs on the Friendship Board, don't you know? ;)

It's just a plant, people...

[Dreams_in_Pink]

It's just a plant, people...

I totally agree!

[linuxgirl]

It's just a plant, people...

lol, my long-winded point exactly. :)

[Heidi_234]

And you assume that 'we', the pro-henna 'camp', wouldn't allow negative feedback about henna in the henna "love" thread, which, I think, is simply untrue. Why would you even assume it a henna love thread at all? It's henna thread, 'share your experiences here' thread. I tried to offer my advice the first time and got replies about being defensive for some reason. I got the impression my input is not really welcomed. Your post indicated that you didn't really look for advice, that's why I merely offered to give it, in case I got the wrong impression from you.

I don't remember any hate threads over the other boards (actually maybe two, that have been locked by the mods, btw), but even if there are, it's not really the point. Nobody's censoring you and any other member, to express negative experiences, there's no tyranny going on. On the contrary. Nobody doubts your experience, or criticizes the way you did your henna or anything of a kind. You are welcomed to comment and share.

Why I think think hate threads are no good? Because they are unbalanced, and those who oppose the general direction get the kind of treatment the so called 'pro-henna camp' gets here. It just brings whole lot of negativity, which, frankly is unnecessary. And I won't be surprise to see a mod coming over this thread too sooner than later. Which is beyond unnecessary.

ETA: Henna is a plant? I thought it was a global-politics issue here!

[Othala]

Just wanted to add that whilst henna leaves will never touch my hair again, henna flowers smell divine and in my next trip to the East I will be buying henna flower perfume.

[smilinjenn71]

My personal opinion is that people tend to get their panties in a bunch over the silliest of things!

I think the OP chose the topic title because it's catchy. I mean c'mon - Henna Haters Unite - try finding something else as catchy. She did a good job on that. While 'hate' is a strong word, I think she CLEARLY stated the reason for choosing the title.

Bottom line, Henna is NOT for everyone and some really DO hate it. If this thread said "henna lovers unite" everyone would be fawning over how WONDERFUL this thread is. The purpose of the boards, IMHO, is to read what is posted. Not just read the title of a thread and get huffy about it. So, let's cut this girl a break. Plus, let's keep in mind she's young.;)

[linuxgirl]

"And you assume that 'we', the pro-henna 'camp', wouldn't allow negative feedback about henna in the henna "love" thread, which, I think, is simply untrue."

Aha, I'm thinking you might have misunderstood my comment. I was speaking from my own perspective, as in *I* would not go in to a thread dedicated to positive henna experiences to rattle off on how I think it's stupid to extol the virtues of a plant, how I got horrible results/had problems (in a way that was uninviting of help, I mean) and such because it is their space. I'm not talking "I like henna but I need help with it working" but the "I've tried everything conceivable and just want assurance I'm not the only one who doesn't like this" spirit this thread seemed to be shooting for.

"Why would you even assume it a henna love thread at all? It's henna thread, 'share your experiences here' thread. I tried to offer my advice the first time and got replies about being defensive for some reason. I got the impression my input is not really welcomed."

It's unfortunate that you were reacted to that way and I understand why it would be upsetting/put you off. I've been around the LHC for awhile now and I must say that the general tone of the henna threads is overwhelmingly positive. I was pushed into trying it from reading all the raves, and I'm happy I did. But what sets this thread apart for me, as opposed to a "henna hater" posting to "henna love", is that this thread is voicing what seems to be a minority opinion. So it makes at least a little bit of sense that the author and people replying are seeking validation and the companionship of a "me too" rather than un-asked for advice for making the product work, doesn't it?

I think the reason people were reacting the way they did is because they really wanted this to be an answer to "am I the only one", without thorough investigation and explanation to justify their opinion. Anyone who browses LHC and the massive henna thread, after all, pretty much knows all the easy (and not-so-easy!) fixes and tricks, and it can be annoying to hear "was it BAQ/did you do X" for the millionth time.

"Why I think think hate threads are no good? Because they are unbalanced, and those who oppose the general direction get the kind of treatment the so called 'pro-henna camp' gets here"

It's not real hate, though. It's just for less-than-stellar, disappointing experiences despite one's best efforts. The henna thread you sited is overwhelmingly positive in tone and the people who do voice their opinion on henna seem to be mostly doing so in the interest of getting it to work for them. People who don't like henna likely found themselves extremely disappointed (and with how much the LHC sings the praises of henna, no wonder) and wanting the companionship of others like them. I don't see how that's a negative thing at all. After all, a "henna lovers unite" thread would be similarly unbalanced, if not more so.

I can understand your frustration with being called defensive and feeling like your input is unwelcome. At least anyone who wants to salvage their negative henna opinion knows they can ask you for tips. :)

[Heidi_234]

I can half see your point, but continuing this discussion would be as helpful as grinding water. I'm sorry you feel like the Henna thread is for positive experiences only, and you don't feel right posting your-not-so-positive experience in it. It seems like those who didn't have the same 'awesome' experience feel the need to justify and defend their stance, and it really brings us-against-them air to the thread. There were already threads where opposing opinions were not welcomed (to say the least), and I learned to stay clear of them. I guess just I'm adding another one to that list, which is too bad, because I thought we all here to share experiences and help each other out. :shrug:

[detritus]

I can half see your point, but continuing this discussion would be as helpful as grinding water. I'm sorry you feel like the Henna thread is for positive experiences only, and you don't feel right posting your-not-so-positive experience in it. It seems like those who didn't have the same 'awesome' experience feel the need to justify and defend their stance, and it really brings us-against-them air to the thread. There were already threads where opposing opinions were not welcomed (to say the least), and I learned to stay clear of them. I guess just I'm adding another one to that list, which is too bad, because I thought we all here to share experiences and help each other out. :shrug:

Many people have stated very articulate reasons why they would like to continue this thread. Sharing bad experiences with henna *will* help me out. You don't need to understand this need to respect it and just let us have this space.

[Unofficial_Rose]

It seems to me like a sign of the times that everyone has to mince their words so much that you cannot even say you "hate" something even if you are not really being serious. Maybe being as bland as possible is the only acceptable response these days? :confused: I don't just mean on LHC, I also mean IRL. It's a recent tendency that puzzles me.

I mean, I like highlights. Plenty of people hate them, I imagine. But do I mind about that? Well, er, no. :shrug:

[basak]

I want to offer my two cents :)

When I want to read reviews on products or anything beauty related that I want to try, I always go for the bad reviews to see if people had any problems that I might have too. Of course I take the negative reviews with a grain of salt. But in this forum the positive reviews outweigh the negative reviews SO MUCH that it could potentially cause problems for those who don't take the positive experiences with a grain of salt. I don't think henna is a wonder product and I do believe it is some sort of a hype that the newcomers fall into when they see all the positive experiences on. It's human nature, when you're excited about something you don't want to see the negative side most of the time. I'm not saying anyone on this thread fell into the hype, I'm just saying it might theoretically happen. When you see so many positive threads about henna it's a bit hard to see the warnings and negative sides. Sure, the henna article is written in a very down-to-earth tone, but you can't ignore the tons of excited positive threads about henna and noone's going to sift through tons of pages to see if there are any negative experiences in the massive henna thread. I see this thread as a reminder and I think it's very useful for keeping people down to earth about henna. Noone's bashing henna for fun here, they are talking about legitimate experiences in a sensible tone. It's not like anyone's going to refuse when they are offered help and shout "no I hate henna, shut up!". So what the title says haters? :shrug: I hope we could at least be given the chance to change the title before any need to close this thread appears!

[ktani]

I think that it has been established several times that this thread is not really about hating henna.

I think this thread has value for those who read it, with a lot of really good input. I think it would be unfortunate if things got out of hand because of a thread title that the OP has already stated was used jokingly.

I see no need to change the title of the thread. Just my opinion.

[ratgirldjh]

The first time I used henna recently (i used to use henna and indigo long ago) I bought henna from a middle eastern store and it was labeled 100% henna.

However this henna smelled 'different' than I remembered. I thought it was because I added some ACV and orange flower blossom water to it for acidity - but then I mixed some up with plain water and it still smelled 'perfumy'.

This henna gave me a wonderful color - orange at first - and then oxidized into a beautiful auburn on my silver hairs and darker almost black except in the sun on my very dark brown hair.

BUT - after a few days my hair was VERY dry. I thought it was due to the ACV - but now I'm not so sure.

This time I bought 100% henna from an Indian Market and it has the henna smell that I remember!!!

This henna I just mixed with warm water and it smelled like hay not perfume - and it did NOT dry out my hair!!!

AND the color was much richer!!! I only left it on for about 1 1/2 hour (versus at least 3 for the other henna) and my hair was bright orange!!!

It oxidized into a very rich auburn on my silver hairs and the dark hairs are very dark but have a much richer color as well.

All henna (even the ones marked 100% henna) evidently isn't ALL henna! That other henna I used definitely had some perfume additive and my hair did not like it.

Oh - I also wanted to say that with the first henna after a couple of weeks - my hair got a very weird waxy coating on it - it was stringy and nothing but clarifying with clay would take off the waxy feeling.

This new henna from the indian store didn't have this waxy problem or the very drying problem either.

[skydancer7]

I have a love/hate relationship with henna.

I love the ritual and the process, the mixing of herbs, feeling like a kitchen witch. I love the thickness, strength, and color of my hair afterwards.

However, BOTH the orange and the burgundy tones give my skin a horrible sickly/sunburned look. I have a ton of pink in my face as it is, and henna is just not flattering unless I use enough foundation makeup to mitigate this effect. I just don't have time for all that.

Too bad, because it REALLY makes my blue eyes "pop"!

So, like I said: love/hate relationship.

I am envious of all of you who use henna successfully :)

[Katurday]

I'm one of the few people who gets that copper color very easily. Copper makes my skin look...Terrible. For the first few hennas, I literally had to apply blush and foundation every day to look not sick. Total waste. Now, around 4-5 hennas later, I'm getting a nice deeper color. Henna day its a true red, later on its a deeper chocolate. Its quite nice. I think I should consider ordering Yemeni henna for a deeper truer color.

So I hate new henna on my hair, but layered deep henna (even if it gets red-black) is lovely.

[catysue]

Hmmm....

A few things for those whose hair was dried out by henna:

I believe henna ACTS like a protein, so if your hair doesn't like protein, henna could possibly make your hair brittle for a short period of time until you re-adjust the moisture balance. My hair doesn't like protein so it always feels icky immediately after henna; I KNOW why this happens, so I always SMT the night after I henna, and then my hair feels incredible.

Also, I have NEVER put any lemon juice in my henna AT ALL. Not even a little bit. I hardly even use acidic liquid - I used chai tea ONCE. My mix is warm water, LOTS of olive oil, cinnamon and paprika. In my experience, heat and time are FAR more important that acidic liquid in achieving dye release and bright, vibrant color. I after I mix my henna up, I keep it on a water bath and cover the top with saran wrap so it stays nice and toasty. I achieve excellent dye release within a few hours.

Though it is true that henna really and truly is not right for some people, whether because of the color or otherwise, I think far more often it's just errors that people make during the henna process. Also, henna takes some experimentation - I think it's kind of unreasonable to expect it to come out perfect the very first time you use it. I know mine certainly didn't, and it took me a while to figure out how to MAKE henna work for me. Henna isn't like normal hairdyes where you slap it on and go..... henna is a process, a ~journey~ if you will.

:cheese:

[vv]

But yours could be having metallic salts in it, as you said it came in a box. Besides, you say how it washed out in time. As far as i know, BAQ henna never washes out?

The box said 100% something-lawsonia (henna). I knew to watch out for blends.

Same here. I just did my first Henna. My hair did not get any color at all!!!! How is this possible?
I used Rainbow Henna, and yes it 100% natural, organic, and no chemicals.
My hair is dry and stringy, plus no color change.
What in the world????? Such a let down.

I mixed it with boiling brewed coffee, and about 4 spoons of olive oil. I let it sit for about 1 hour and 15 minutes with a heated cap on. There was no change to my Hair color at all!!!!
Now I have 2 boxes going to the trash.

[catysue]

The box said 100% something-lawsonia (henna). I knew to watch out for blends.

Same here. I just did my first Henna. My hair did not get any color at all!!!! How is this possible?
I used Rainbow Henna, and yes it 100% natural, organic, and no chemicals.
My hair is dry and stringy, plus no color change.
What in the world????? Such a let down.

I mixed it with boiling brewed coffee, and about 4 spoons of olive oil. I let it sit for about 1 hour and 15 minutes with a heated cap on. There was no change to my Hair color at all!!!!
Now I have 2 boxes going to the trash.


Did you wait for the henna to dye release before you put it on your head?

Also, 1 hour and 15 minutes isn't a long time when it comes to henna. I always leave my henna on overnight.

[ReadingRenee]

Hmmm....

A few things for those whose hair was dried out by henna:

I believe henna ACTS like a protein, so if your hair doesn't like protein, henna could possibly make your hair brittle for a short period of time until you re-adjust the moisture balance. My hair doesn't like protein so it always feels icky immediately after henna; I KNOW why this happens, so I always SMT the night after I henna, and then my hair feels incredible.

Also, I have NEVER put any lemon juice in my henna AT ALL. Not even a little bit. I hardly even use acidic liquid - I used chai tea ONCE. My mix is warm water, LOTS of olive oil, cinnamon and paprika. In my experience, heat and time are FAR more important that acidic liquid in achieving dye release and bright, vibrant color. I after I mix my henna up, I keep it on a water bath and cover the top with saran wrap so it stays nice and toasty. I achieve excellent dye release within a few hours.

Though it is true that henna really and truly is not right for some people, whether because of the color or otherwise, I think far more often it's just errors that people make during the henna process. Also, henna takes some experimentation - I think it's kind of unreasonable to expect it to come out perfect the very first time you use it. I know mine certainly didn't, and it took me a while to figure out how to MAKE henna work for me. Henna isn't like normal hairdyes where you slap it on and go..... henna is a process, a ~journey~ if you will.

:cheese:

I did SMT on my hair post henna too and it did help a bit but the texture was never the same silkiness as I had pre henna. And yes no acidic stuff with it. The first time I put it on and used lemon juice I learned that lesson the hard way!

[vv]

[QUOTE= I have CRAZY thick(The baby ponytail I can do is 4.5 inches, so we'll see. I'm guessing around 5-6 is the total once my hair is in a solid ponytail)[/QUOTE]

Wow! What a great "problem to have. I used to complain about having too much hair. Now I complain because it is not enough LOL. I used to complain because it was too wavy, now I complain because it is too straight. Are we ever going to be satisfied?

I trully hope I can find something else to thicken my hair since my henna was a disaster.

[curlycrown]

At first I loved the benefits of henna but as time went on the color really was not as cute as it was. Also I started getting hellafied breakage. I started getting split ends and mid shaft splits. I had never had split ends even when I relaxed my hair. I did deep conditioning and went back to daily cowashing and nothing seemed to help my hair. If I looked at my hair wrong it would snap and split. I went back to my hair journal a figured out that none of my problems occured until I started using henna. I cut off all of the damage a quit using henna. I havent seen one split or had any breakage and its been 2 months. Henna will never touch my hair again.

[vv]

Well, it said on the box to apply and leave it on for 45 minutes if you were using a heating cap, so I went ahead and let it on for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

As far as mixing it and allowing the dye to release before the application, I read about that, but the box said that it was not needed.

I used Rainbow Dark Brown Persian Henna.

My hair looks dry and stringy.


Did you wait for the henna to dye release before you put it on your head?

Also, 1 hour and 15 minutes isn't a long time when it comes to henna. I always leave my henna on overnight.

Well, it said on the box to apply and leave it on for 45 minutes if you were using a heating cap, so I went ahead and let it on for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

As far as mixing it and allowing the dye to release before the application, I read about that, but the box said that it was not needed.

I used Rainbow Dark Brown Persian Henna.

My hair looks dry and stringy.

[catysue]

Well, it said on the box to apply and leave it on for 45 minutes if you were using a heating cap, so I went ahead and let it on for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

As far as mixing it and allowing the dye to release before the application, I read about that, but the box said that it was not needed.

I used Rainbow Dark Brown Persian Henna.

My hair looks dry and stringy.

The box lied to you ;)

[vv]

Did you wait for the henna to dye release before you put it on your head?

Also, 1 hour and 15 minutes isn't a long time when it comes to henna. I always leave my henna on overnight.

So, do you think if I apply again allowing it more time to release the dye it would work? Or should I call it quit since i saw no benefits from it?
And if you think I should reaply should I wait a while? I really wanted this to work for me. I want my hair to ge thicker so badly.
My hair is dry and stringy now :o(

[catysue]

So, do you think if I apply again allowing it more time to release the dye it would work? Or should I call it quit since i saw no benefits from it?
And if you think I should reaply should I wait a while? I really wanted this to work for me. I want my hair to ge thicker so badly.
My hair is dry and stringy now :o(

Give your hair a break, give it some deep moisturizing treatments. Henna CAN be drying especially if you mix it with an acidic liquid (which coffee is.) Then, once your hair feels better, I would try henna again. Read as much as you can about henna online, and ignore what the box says. Let it sit for dye release (until the top of the henna mix turns brown and pools of liquid form on the surface) and leave it on for as long as you possibly can. Don't use an acidic liquid as your only liquid; use warm water and add a small amount of acidic liquid if you want.

Like I said, henna takes experimentation and almost never turns out like you want it to the first time. I'm sorry that you had a bad first henna experience, but your mix and application time COULD use some tweaking. So don't give up; give your hair a break and try it again :)

[vv]

Thanks so much Catysue.
I will try that. I actually read A LOT here about henna, but like you said tthere are so many scenarios that it can be confusing and it requires persistance to figure it out.
Thanks a lot.

[-simply Venus-]

I don't HATE henna, I just dislike the process D; The bad smell (even with things in it to mask it, still doesn't have the best smell) How hard it is to mush in your hair, the waiting, washing the evil mud from your hair! Having stiff hair for a couple days. But the end results are wonderful! Softer redder hair. I just think the cons outweigh the pros. I'd rather use a box dye than henna to dye my hair. X.X Bad, I know! But I have been chemical-dye-free for a few months, and am trying to quit! XD

[catysue]

Thanks so much Catysue.
I will try that. I actually read A LOT here about henna, but like you said tthere are so many scenarios that it can be confusing and it requires persistance to figure it out.
Thanks a lot.

Yeah, henna is really tricky. Like you, I read a lot about henna everywhere before I did my first henna, and I still had to change things to get it to work for me. There are so many variables when it comes to henna, so many things that can go wrong. If you REALLY want henna to work for you, most of the time, you can make it work for you - it just takes time and perserverance.

I hope your second time is better! If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask here on LHC. Everyone here is happy to help!

[Tressie]

Thank you for this thread! It has been very informative! (o:

[Bianca]

I tried henna, and it was not for me. I liked the copper orange, before it became this rusty brown reddish color indoors. Outside it looked ok. But I'd rather have my natural color. Sooo much easier and looks a lot better on me :p

[Velouria]

[quote=vv;963854]Well, it said on the box to apply and leave it on for 45 minutes if you were using a heating cap, so I went ahead and let it on for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

As far as mixing it and allowing the dye to release before the application, I read about that, but the box said that it was not needed.

I used Rainbow Dark Brown Persian Henna.
********************************************

Actually, the box was right about not waiting for dye release, in that it also advised to mix w/ boiling liquid. If you use boiling or very hot liquid to mix, dye release will be instant, and will decrease the longer it sits.

Persian Dark Brown also contains indigo, which should never be allowed to sit after mixing...it's strongest right after mixing and loses potency thereafter. Indigo also is weakened (or even killed) by mixing with an acidic liquid (like coffee).

So I'm not surprised that you didn't get color from the indigo portion of the mix, but I'm surprised that the henna didn't color. Perhaps the Rainbow was just too old, that has been known to happen with that brand in particular.

[rach]

It's good we have a thread like this. because henna is for some and not for others.
It is skin dependent on whether it suits a person or not. when i've been ill and look pale it's makes me look look like the walking dead but other times it suits me like anything.
when i first did it, orange was not me - i knew that through and through from application one but i was more in for the conditioning benefits as my hair was brittle and awful looking and feeling and at the time i didn't think i had to lose anything (i was desperate to not chop off mass amounts of hair).
I added more and more to get the the deeper tones then i fell in love as each application went past to a deeper red.
but along the way i learnt few things, and being here, and hearing people stories it gain's up the experience in the mind and more experiences which are kept open here the better for the ones who are unsure about the permanency of it.

[ktani]

I think that it is great that all opinions about henna are weighing in here.

This thread is turning out to be more and more interesting as it progresses.

[ilovelonghair]

I am having henna on my hair right now :p:cheese::D

(couldn't help myself, had to say it hehe)

[hermosamendoza]

i'm sorry to hear that. the only thing i can think of is that you accidentally got some bad henna aka the kind that has metal salts and chemicals in it. and i'm not sure how long you leave your henna on for but i leave mine on for 12 + hours sometimes and it comes out just a wee bit dry. I started mixing olive oil in before I added it on. but henna has its on mind sometimes. It started a beautiful bright auburn then oxidized to a deep red. and it took about 2 or 3 times for it not to be a shocking orange over the old haircolor I still had in my hair.

[ademtce]

united!

haha i wouldn't say i hate it but it will never again be on my hair.

[Silver Strands]

I will join this group.

I hate that I had to cut my hair off into a 3-4" cut as that was the only way to get rid of it.

That was after spending nearly 9 months trying almost anything to remove it or fade it.
Except bleach- I have never used bleach in my life and wasn't about to burn my scalp and melt my hair to get rid of this stuff.

Because of henna I have developed an aversion to red hair. I sometimes cringe when I see it because I go right back to my experience of having bright orange and then eventually almost purple hair.
Then back to the bright orange while trying to remove it.
I shudder just thinking about it.

I also hate that this thread has received bad votes on it as everyone is allowed to hate anything they want.
I'm certainly old enough to make my own decisions about what I love/like/dislike/hate.
I don't need anyone telling me my choices are wrong because they are different than theirs.

Plus there is a giant henna love/help thread on here for the supporters.

It's very well known that many people have had trouble getting rid of it.
Many of them melting their hair or like me having to chop it all off.
We are allowed to hate something that costs us so dearly that which we love and the reason we are all here on this board in the first place- our hair.

[dropinthebucket]

hi dreamsinpink, i just posted pics and detailed notes in the thread Henna Indigo Buxus Honey Elumen (which was just moved over to this board) exactly describing the "omg i hate this henna" reaction! wasn't the henna's fault - i had really good henna - it's just that i think sometimes it's so hard to predict what colour you're going to get - mine never oxidized to a darker red that would have matched my own hair pretty well, it just stayed a light orange - a looooooong, involved and complicated quest to cover over the henna ensued!!! so i hear ya - maybe not so much Henna Hate, as Oh Man, Henna So Not For Me! :)

[Ferine]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience, maybe a different brand would help.
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this as I haven't read the whole thread, you might try sulfur on your scalp tp help with the dandruff. Or tea tree oil.
Good luck!

[bumblebums]

I will join this group.

I hate that I had to cut my hair off into a 3-4" cut as that was the only way to get rid of it.

That was after spending nearly 9 months trying almost anything to remove it or fade it.
Except bleach- I have never used bleach in my life and wasn't about to burn my scalp and melt my hair to get rid of this stuff.

Because of henna I have developed an aversion to red hair. I sometimes cringe when I see it because I go right back to my experience of having bright orange and then eventually almost purple hair.
Then back to the bright orange while trying to remove it.
I shudder just thinking about it.

I also hate that this thread has received bad votes on it as everyone is allowed to hate anything they want.
I'm certainly old enough to make my own decisions about what I love/like/dislike/hate.
I don't need anyone telling me my choices are wrong because they are different than theirs.

Plus there is a giant henna love/help thread on here for the supporters.

It's very well known that many people have had trouble getting rid of it.
Many of them melting their hair or like me having to chop it all off.
We are allowed to hate something that costs us so dearly that which we love and the reason we are all here on this board in the first place- our hair.

I agree that this is an excellent, if at times baffling thread.

When I shop for stuff on Amazon, I always read some good reviews and some bad reviews. I then make my own decision based on the common themes in the negative reviews. If a bunch of people bash a coffee maker because it doesn't make "hot enough" coffee or because it's too tall for a user who is 5'1", then I know that those are not deal breakers for me. If they bash it because it breaks after two weeks of use, then that's a deal breaker.

Similarly, if I am making a decision about permanently, irreversibly altering the texture and color of my hair, I'd like to know what can go wrong. This thread lists a number of things that for me qualify as deal breakers:

- Texture change: curls and wurls sometimes disappear after henna
- Dryness: hair dries out after henna
- Thickness: hair gains body and poofs out
- Inconsistent color: the color you get is pretty much an unpredictable shade of red

For me, that's enough. All you henna lovers will never convince me that I just need to experiment with it longer or that I used the wrong type and if I had only listened to you, I would not be complaining. These are permanent deal breakers. (See also my previous posts in this thread, where I detail my own experiences with henna.)

[jeanniet]

No product is going to work for everyone, no matter how well it works for some. That's just the way things are. I know there're products that are extolled on here that I just can't use, but that doesn't mean they're not good products. And I do think that hearing negatives can be very helpful for someone trying to make up their mind, especially with henna since it's so permanent. I research everything I buy very thoroughly, and I actively look for negatives because I want to consider both sides before buying (or not). It never hurts to look twice before you leap. :)

Dreams_in_pink, I'm wondering if you happen to have any pictures of your henna'd hair? Red-black is the color I've been trying to achieve with hendigo glosses, and so far I haven't quite gotten it. I'd love to see how your hair turned out (and I promise to overlook any frizz). See, just goes to show one person's trash is another one's treasure! :D

[twilight]

personally i love henna, but it certainly doesn't offend me if others don't, and we should all be able to express our personal opinions freely and without criticism (why we love LHC, right??).

i can say that even in my own experience, it's not perfect--the color is unpredictable for me, as i am too lazy to strand test *every time* and too busy to get the timing exact *every time*... but i am ok with that. i have learned that i just need to add a LOT more cassia to make sure i don't get any burgundy hints, as my hair does seem to be quietly getting darker (even though it's naturally darkish strawberry blonde). lucky for me, any warm shade works for my skin, so i can deal. i also like the heft it gives me, since i have no curls to worry about relaxing.

if i were a real perfectionist about it and/or hoping for exactly x-shade of red with predictable results re: texture, i would not use henna...

[dropinthebucket]

if i were a real perfectionist about it and/or hoping for exactly x-shade of red with predictable results re: texture, i would not use henna...

Definitely. If I hadn't been trying to match my own hair colour (a reddish-brown) so i could grow it out, i might've kept going with the henna to try to get a good although completely whatever-you-end-up-with shade of red. Even with the neon orange that many of us complain about, you sometimes get hennaheads who want that copper-orange look and are upset when it goes too dark! Totally not the henna's fault, just our expectations of predictable, consistent results.

[LaurelSpring]

I would say that I have had a love/hate relationship with henna. I absolutely loved it the first time I used it. I hated it when I got buildup to a cherry cola type color (some people love that). I hated indigo. I loved the shine and texture it gave my hair. I hated orange grays. The preperation and application process can be tedious and messy.

Over the last 4 or so years of using henna I have experimented with different mixes and combinations. I feel like I have a great mix combination now that I love but it has taken alot of time and patience to find it.

[PiroskaCicu]

Will my henna ever fade? After dying my hair with henna last week... I've already come to the conclusion that I don't wish to do it again. I don't like the way it feels when I look in the mirror...it doesn't feel like the "real me". :S I miss my natural golden brown hair......now it looks very dark. :( I am very sad. I guess henna just isn't right for me after all.

[haibane]

For what it's worth, I really appreciate this thread and all the other cautionary tales and warnings and the permanence and color buildup, and all other issues.
Thanks to that I've decided to only go for really weak henna glosses to try to avoid dramatic color changes. So far I have used only 1 tablespoon and 2 tablespoons for my whole hair, and got noticeable color anyway.
The first application with just 1 tablespoon seems to have faded out pretty well, but the second with 2 tablespoons I don't know yet. You really just can't trust henna to be predictable at all. :p Luckily I just have a vague notion of wanting redder/stronger hair, and no particular goal color at all.

Oh, and to contribute to the thread: henna makes my scalp go freaking nuts. Just a couple of hours after I wash it out (verrry thouroughly and with loads of SLS-free shampoo) I'll have sebum/skin gunk on my scalp again.
And my hair goes really hay-like and dry-like until the next wash. But it doesn't seem like fragile dryness so I just put up with it. I guess it might be the resin.
Oh, and I agree what someone said upthread about the unnatural metallic shine. Though this has faded on me somewhat, for now.

PiroskaCicu (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/member.php?u=27593): If it's your first henna application it might fade a little bit. (Did you do a full mud application or a gloss?) You might want to try SLS shampoo and/or deep treatments (oil, youghurt, pretty much anything) as those seem to make henna fade a bit for some people. The sooner you do it after the henna, the better.

[Autumnberry]

So, do you think if I apply again allowing it more time to release the dye it would work? Or should I call it quit since i saw no benefits from it?
And if you think I should reaply should I wait a while? I really wanted this to work for me. I want my hair to ge thicker so badly.
My hair is dry and stringy now :o(

I have to say that after using BAQ henna (with a mildly acidic mix of chamomile tea and henna) for a couple of years, although I am very pleased with the color, it has not made my hair thicker or better conditioned. I have had horrible breakage. There are so many factors that could have contributed to the breakage, but I want to point out that while henna has reduced the frizz well, and while the first few applications made it look thicker, it is no panacea for my hair. I love being able to get a nice auburn in bright light and without using chemicals. However, my extra fine and thin hair gets a lot of breakage, and I can't henna the length more than once or twice a year without going too dark, so any resin buildup that makes it look thicker is short-lived.

[redheadlynn]

Worse still, I couldn't cover it with a chemical dye to fix it, since henna and dye do not react well, so I had to wait for it to grow out.

I may be in the minority, but I have never had a bad reaction b/w BAQ henna and boxed dyes. I've done henna over and under dyes numerous times. It's the ones with the metallic salts that supposedly cause the problems, right?

But maybe it's just me? I've had bad reactions to the color remover I've used to remove henna, but that had nothing to do with the henna and everythiing to do with overprocessing my hair. Otherise, I have never had any bad colors or anything else with the henna. And all my dryness always came from what I added to the henna... usually anything acidic. I usually do the warm water trick + some olive oil and a bunch of turmeric for a warmer color. :shrug:

Sorry henna didn't work for you guys! :(

[30isthenewblack]

I'll have to read through the thread when I get home. Maybe the title could have been 'the pros and cons of henna' instead of 'Henna haters unite' which has a negative context? However, I do think it's helpful to know both the positive and negative aspects of using henna. I've just ordered mine and it took me about two years to think about it as I wasn't sure whether I wanted to colour my hair again. However as a brunette, the decision was made a lot easier as I'm using it for the conditioning aspects as there won't likely much of a colour change.

[Evie]

I may be in the minority, but I have never had a bad reaction b/w BAQ henna and boxed dyes. I've done henna over and under dyes numerous times. It's the ones with the metallic salts that supposedly cause the problems, right?

But maybe it's just me? I've had bad reactions to the color remover I've used to remove henna, but that had nothing to do with the henna and everythiing to do with overprocessing my hair. Otherise, I have never had any bad colors or anything else with the henna. And all my dryness always came from what I added to the henna... usually anything acidic. I usually do the warm water trick + some olive oil and a bunch of turmeric for a warmer color. :shrug:

Sorry henna didn't work for you guys! :(

I agree with this - I've used henna, henndigo and on occasion when I've not got time to henndigo, a boxed dark hair dye, and never have I had an issue with a bad reaction? In the past, when i used a boxed dye that had metallic salts in (without knowing that) I did see a terrible reaction when I had highlights done, my hair went gummy and just broke off. This has never happened when I've used a box dye over my henndigo? And I have quite a build up of henndigo, so if it was going to happen I guess it would have happened to me? I've only ever used metallic salt free henna and indigo, though. I use either BAQ henna and the indigo from those shops I trust, or lush henna bars and never have an issue. Hope that helps someone.

BTW I'm also finding this thread very interesting. There are some good points being raised ;)

[OhMyCurlz]

My experiences with henna haven't been all that either. I've never had to chop off hair, but the color is not significant enough to bother and I dont think my hair became moisturized (at all) or condtioned from the use of it either. My hair would always end up dry, the color would be very inconsistent, and my hir wasalways more tangle prone. I'm glad that this forum was started beause I actually thought I was doing something wrong this entire time.

Personal experiences and reviews ar just that. Just because a produvt or ingredient doesn't work for someone doesnt mean that the product is bad. We all have different hair needs.

I was also VERY shocked to see that this forum received a thumbs down from members. I've been on these boards a while now and this is the first time I've seen that. What was offensive about ths thread to warrant a thumbs down? I'm kinda bothered by the fact that it seems that there is a bit of a slight against ingredients and valid information on the threads. Had this forum been entitled "SILICONE HATERS UNITE" or perhaps "PROTEIN HATERS UNITE" I highly doubt it would have gotten a thumbs down. These boards are supposed to be for educational and supportive purposes...mixed with our own personal experiences. What is the difference between saying "I hate henna" and "I hate henna for my hair"? It means the same thing rephrased for goodness sakes...lol.

[Heartwillfollow]

The title of the post hasn't offended me in any way :) I didn't put much thought into it. Think the thread is important for anyone considering hennaing or not.

Being a natural red head I have had several natural color changes tone, density, lightening and darkening of red, through out my life never doing anything to my hair, just the way my hair changed on it's own. The brightness in the sun light and the brownness indoor is nothing new to me for being a natural red head. At least with my own head of hair I find it normal. For all the orange in brite sunlight, it's a beautiful blood red that I have always loved in less intense light.. So it's normal to me.

I am glad I found henna as my natural red has started to fade go mousey gray with age. Learning to do henna has it's ups and downs, I went too dark and was lucky I was able to undo it. At least all those years wishing I had the deeper auburn I know now I wouldn't of liked it lol...

Being a red, I don't think being anything else would make me happy.. so I do wonder since henna is so (for-ever really for-ever !!) how others feel when they realize they miss their natural color and realize they can't go back.

I find this thread is important if someone is considering should they henna or shouldn't they. No doubt in my mind I will always want to be red and work with using henna to keep it.

[LoveMyMutt]

Henna might be great for other people, but not for me!

- It was a pain apply and rinse out, plus it always stained my bathtub.
- It smelled like wet dog and my hair retained the wet-dog scent for far longer than I personally felt necessary
- The initial color was a disturbing bozo orange. By the time it oxidized into something resembling hair color, my roots would be showing again.
- My blondish roots looked gray next to the flaming orange length
- Root touch ups left me with a rather noticeable striped effect as some batches were redder than others.
- It looked OK indoors, but outside in the sun it had a weird orange flaming glow which I hated.
- Even though I'm a natural strawberry blond with freckles, henna was way too orange for my complexion. It looked very fake in natural light. Plus it severely limited my clothing choices as it clashed with pretty much every color except the drabbest ones. I had to dress like a Pilgrim for months.
- It never never never faded and I had to bleach it out. Which left my hair feeling dry and nasty and still orange. I got fed up with it and cut my APL hair to chin length.

No more henna for me! Ever!

[Evie]

Henna might be great for other people, but not for me!...a few snips....
- It smelled like wet dog and my hair retained the wet-dog scent for far longer than I personally felt necessary

- It looked OK indoors, but outside in the sun it had a weird orange flaming glow which I hated.

- It never never never faded and I had to bleach it out. Which left my hair feeling dry and nasty and still orange. I got fed up with it and cut my APL hair to chin length.

No more henna for me! Ever!

I know parts of this thread have got contentious and I just wanted to stress that I'm not suggesting you "did it wrong" in any way, or that you should try again with what I'm going to suggest, but I thought this might help other people with some of the same issues:

I too am not wild about the smell, so I put some mixed spice mix in my henna before applying (or ginger, or some similar scented powdered spice that does not irritate my scalp, LOL) and find I end up smelling more like fruit cake than wet dog/hay :) I don't use EVOs but I think some people over at H4H talk about using a few drops of cajeput - but I'm not an expert on EVOs on your scalp in henna.

The orange flare thing is indeed a henna issue, I still get this but I like it. If I didn't it would be a nightmare, so I can totally understand. And you're right, whilst it not fading is great if you like it, if you don't it is also pretty difficult to deal with.

[luthien_belewen]

I'm not a henna hater, but I've decided to stop henna-ing my hair. It was fun for a while, and I love being a redhead...but this past weekend I had to unclog the bath and sink drains, and it was filled with gloppy, hairy old henna clogging the drains! Plus, it is just too unpredictable for me, I'd always be nervous each time I did my henna that it would come out ok. It looks fine on me, but I'm just tired of the effort. I'm growing it out and going to just do my roots with a red demi-permanent dye.

[Deeya]

My experience with henna too is mixed. When I had just natural black hair, it was great. But now I have 50% grey hair & henna gave it a wierd orange-black look. I did try alternating henna with boxed colors, it did work for a while & then I gave up cos my hair got so brittle & dry. Any threads on hair color here?

[LoveMyMutt]

I know parts of this thread have got contentious and I just wanted to stress that I'm not suggesting you "did it wrong" in any way, or that you should try again with what I'm going to suggest, but I thought this might help other people with some of the same issues:

I too am not wild about the smell, so I put some mixed spice mix in my henna before applying (or ginger, or some similar scented powdered spice that does not irritate my scalp, LOL) and find I end up smelling more like fruit cake than wet dog/hay :) I don't use EVOs but I think some people over at H4H talk about using a few drops of cajeput - but I'm not an expert on EVOs on your scalp in henna.

The orange flare thing is indeed a henna issue, I still get this but I like it. If I didn't it would be a nightmare, so I can totally understand. And you're right, whilst it not fading is great if you like it, if you don't it is also pretty difficult to deal with.

I did put cinnamon in my mix a few times; that improved the smell a good bit (cinnamon dog vs. wet dog ;))

I think the orange flare is less of an issue for darker hair colors. But if you are blonde or blondish, it can be very freaky looking. Multiple applications can give a lovely burgundy color which isn't as bozo-esque, but then you've got some serious root upkeep to deal with.

The other reason I caution blonds to think loooong and hard before using henna is the commitment factor. If you have dark brown hair, and you henna it, you'll have dark brown hair with some reddish highlights in the sun -- growing it out won't be THAT big of a deal. But if you have blonde hair, and you henna it to BRIGHT FLAMING RED, you will have some very, very obvious roots which (depending on your shade) can look almost greenish when contrasted with the brightly colored length. And there is something about being blond that seems to make blondes want to be blonde again, after trying out a different color. That is where that permanence really becomes a problem. I'm not saying ALL blondes will grow to hate their hennaed hair -- but if you search "henna removal" here on LHC you'll see a disproportionate number of light-haired people trying their hardest to get the red stuff out of their hair.

Several people have pointed out that you can safely dye over BAQ henna with conventional dye, and I would concur with that. However, in my experience, conventional dye didn't seem to "take" on my hennaed hair very well -- probably something to do with how the henna coats and bonds with the cuticle, making it less porous and thus harder to penetrate with chemical color. After a couple peroxide bleaching sessions, my hair was porous enough that I was able to get demi-permanent color to work. Of course, this sort of canceled out all the conditioning benefits of henna - which is why I tried it in the first place on my fine, porous, dry hair. So I was back to square one damage-wise and ended up just cutting it off.

[Evie]

I agree, LoveMyMutt, it is a serious undertaking for blondes - I am one!

I spent ages on the Hennaforhair forums before I started using henna (and indigo) and there are many reports of the permanence on there that I thought about very, very carefully. For me, because I was used to dying my light hair dark with chemical dye, the roots thing is something I'm used to, and in fact it is less obvious with henndigo than it is with chemical dye for me - it is not such a harsh 'line' in the root area for some reason.

Mixed spice worked best for the smell for me - conventional EOs were too strong or not strong enough!! But then I've got some conditioner that smells like gingerbread that I use as a leave in, and I've found that works wonders for dealing with wet dog! :puppy::puppykisses:

I've found that things like colour oops work well on me with chemical dye, so I think if I ever get fed up with henndigo, I'll go back to chemical colour till I can cut out the henna etc, then use a few sessions of colour oops....perhaps not the most gentle solution, but still ;)

[saskia_madding]

I fully agree with LoveMyMutt. I've done a variety off odd henna/indigo things to my hair and even when I hate it, it is clearly not as noticeable on me as it would be on a blond. And if I just stopped doing it, I don't think it would be as noticeable as a blond who wants to grow it out.

In fact, that is one of the reasons I love my dark hair - that it allows me to experiment with slightly less fear. Of course, there is always the danger I'll dye my hair black with the indigo, but so far I find that the indigo fades, while the henna does not.

ETA: Evie - I *never* would have guessed you are a blond. I've always loved your dark, rich colour!

[Luna12345]

My hair dislikes Henna. I've only used it about a couple times in the past because most people seem to like the results. However....after applying henna my hair was more dry and frizzy for some reason and it even felt more course.:(
I'm not sure why....but I never used it again and don't plan to use it again in the future.

[luthien_belewen]

I think the orange flare is less of an issue for darker hair colors. But if you are blonde or blondish, it can be very freaky looking. Multiple applications can give a lovely burgundy color which isn't as bozo-esque, but then you've got some serious root upkeep to deal with.

The other reason I caution blonds to think loooong and hard before using henna is the commitment factor. If you have dark brown hair, and you henna it, you'll have dark brown hair with some reddish highlights in the sun -- growing it out won't be THAT big of a deal. But if you have blonde hair, and you henna it to BRIGHT FLAMING RED, you will have some very, very obvious roots which (depending on your shade) can look almost greenish when contrasted with the brightly colored length. And there is something about being blond that seems to make blondes want to be blonde again, after trying out a different color. That is where that permanence really becomes a problem. I'm not saying ALL blondes will grow to hate their hennaed hair -- but if you search "henna removal" here on LHC you'll see a disproportionate number of light-haired people trying their hardest to get the red stuff out of their hair.
That's the one bad thing about being a blonde henna head! My ashy blonde roots grow in and look very dull against the red, even though it's not that much lighter in shade than the henna color.

[Evie]

ETA: Evie - I *never* would have guessed you are a blond. I've always loved your dark, rich colour!

Ah but I am http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=2757&pictureid=34642 ;)

[saskia_madding]

Luna12345 - I felt the same way about henna. It used to make my hair all frizzy and dry and gross.

So instead of doing straight hennas, I started doing really really strong henna glosses. I basically took 3 HEAPING tablespoons of henna and 3 HEAPING tablespoons of indigo (so maybe use 6 tablespoons of henna, if you're going for the straight henna thing), and applied them as part of a SMT. I added aloe juice and microwaved honey too. This let my hair be nice and hydrated and also imparted a lot of colour since the concentration of henna was so high.

I stuck with this for a few months, and now my hair is like silk. Seriously.

[Shatam1]

I know this thread is quite old but the heat and cotroversy here are so worth bringing it back to life. I love henna very much and I agree with it being drying to the hair .... Until u find the right recipe for your own hair. I have coarse hair and henna dried it out a lot at first then I found out that I can do it without any acid and I can add some conditioner to it and now my hair has never been better:cheese: so soft and growing longer. I had lost a lot of hair a few years ago due to illness and now it is back to normal and more:) thanks to henna , vitamins and proper haircare . So let us hear new people's opinions on henna;)

[gazelle]

Some henna make my hair dry and some henna are very good for my hair. It really depends on how it is stored and used. My henna last month was awful and did not give me much red dye, also made my hair too dry. It was like sand. But the last Iran henna is very good, it gave intense red-brown dye and very good condition.

So I still blame the quality of henna in my own experience. But it did not make me henna hater. I am an incorrigible henna lover :)

[nailzbyamber]

Sorry to hear that your henna experience was not a good one, I can say that I love henna and have had nothing but good. I use MM products and I love them. I have changed my mix up several times to find the perfect one for my hair.

[Untressed]

At first I loved the benefits of henna but as time went on the color really was not as cute as it was. Also I started getting hellafied breakage. I started getting split ends and mid shaft splits. I had never had split ends even when I relaxed my hair. I did deep conditioning and went back to daily cowashing and nothing seemed to help my hair. If I looked at my hair wrong it would snap and split. I went back to my hair journal a figured out that none of my problems occured until I started using henna. I cut off all of the damage a quit using henna. I havent seen one split or had any breakage and its been 2 months. Henna will never touch my hair again.

This. Same issue. Took visiting a trichologist to confirm my hair was splitting and breaking from henna. Never again.

[Chocowalnut]

I loved henna at first. My hair was a pretty, vibrant red and it conditioned and thickened my hair like nothing else. But now, unfortunately, the color has oxidized into more of a brown than red that I am not happy with. I would like to keep using henna for conditioning, but I want to grow out my natural color now as I am over dying my hair and the color fading to something I don't like. Might try cassia for conditioning since it's colorless and supposed to be like henna.

[lapushka]

I found cassia to be totally different than henna. No thickening whatsoever and not the same conditioning benefits whatsoever; not that henna ever gave me conditioning benefits. All I got was dry hair from henna, also at the roots, which was good the first week after applying it (oily hair) but after that, not so much. I quit and I love it for having quit!

[Bene]

I don't hate henna, but I don't like the look of it on hair and I'd never wanna do that to myself.

[Chocowalnut]

I found cassia to be totally different than henna. No thickening whatsoever and not the same conditioning benefits whatsoever; not that henna ever gave me conditioning benefits. All I got was dry hair from henna, also at the roots, which was good the first week after applying it (oily hair) but after that, not so much. I quit and I love it for having quit!

Oh that's unfortunate :/ I've read some people say it's pretty similar. I have been letting the henna grow out for maybe 5 or 6 months now and it is taking forever for my hair to grow it seems but I am trying to just ignore it right now though sometimes I really want to go color it in some way as the roots drive me nuts.

[NaClH2O]

I found cassia to be totally different than henna. No thickening whatsoever and not the same conditioning benefits whatsoever; not that henna ever gave me conditioning benefits. All I got was dry hair from henna, also at the roots, which was good the first week after applying it (oily hair) but after that, not so much. I quit and I love it for having quit!

That's so interesting, my experience was exactly opposite. I tried cassia before ever using henna - and I HATED cassia. It made my hair feel like straw and my scalp extremely itchy and dry. I was so happy when it finally washed out of my hair (~month later) and it went back to feeling normal. Never again will that stuff touch my head. Disgusting. The smell, texture...everything.

My experience with henna has been completely, night-and-day, different from cassia. It has made my hair feel lusciously soft, strong, and wonderfully conditioned.

So strange how different individual experiences can be! :p

[two_wheels]

That's so interesting, my experience was exactly opposite. I tried cassia before ever using henna - and I HATED cassia. It made my hair feel like straw and my scalp extremely itchy and dry. I was so happy when it finally washed out of my hair (~month later) and it went back to feeling normal. Never again will that stuff touch my head. Disgusting. The smell, texture...everything.

My experience with henna has been completely, night-and-day, different from cassia. It has made my hair feel lusciously soft, strong, and wonderfully conditioned.

So strange how different individual experiences can be! :p

My experience is very similar to yours- cassia comes nowhere near henna for me in terms of thickness and shininess and wave-relaxation. I *wish* I could rock the colour like you. Do you find the glosses fade back to your natural colour? (I think we have similar natural colours. I am eternally tempted by "a little gloss")

And cassia dried out my hair and left me itchy until I figured out to put in a big tablespoon each of coconut oil and honey (totally resolved dryness issues) and to shampoo it out twice with mega strong shampoo (sounds like it defeats the point, but I think the coconut oil protects my hair from it, so it's more for the scalp).

[NaClH2O]

two_wheels - I would say that yes, the bright fire-red of the henna gloss does fade a tad. I use Nightblooming's Strawberry Blonde Rusalki blend mixed with chamomile tea and left on for 3 hours. It is like 30% henna, so pretty mild. I like the fading though..., because the end result looks so natural. Everyone thinks this is my real hair color :o So I let them believe. My skin tone looks great with auburn hair, and very weirdly washed out with my natural hair color (ashy golden dark blonde).

To compare -> My profile pic is *right* after doing henna, and my avatar is after it has faded a bit.

That is a good tip about the coconut oil & honey for using cassia. I did not do either of those things when I used it, I just added some conditioner to the mix. My scalp was angry and itchy for a week! I used Nightblooming cassia too, so it was good stuff.

[two_wheels]

Interesting. I know I do badly with saturated colours, and last time I used henna it went straight to deep red. But peach for example is one of the colours I look best in. So I can do muted orange.
Thanks. I shall ponder it. This time there would be temporary colours and strand tests, rather than just slapping mud on my hair for 12 hours with no strand test first :lol:

[lapushka]

Oh that's unfortunate :/ I've read some people say it's pretty similar. I have been letting the henna grow out for maybe 5 or 6 months now and it is taking forever for my hair to grow it seems but I am trying to just ignore it right now though sometimes I really want to go color it in some way as the roots drive me nuts.

I grew out a mid-tone blonde a long time ago. At first the roots were awful. It looked unkempt. Then after a month of 3 the roots had grown out a little and it got easier, IMO. It got easier the more of my natural roots showed. It will get easier, hopefully, for you as well. I'd hang in there if I were you!


That's so interesting, my experience was exactly opposite. I tried cassia before ever using henna - and I HATED cassia. It made my hair feel like straw and my scalp extremely itchy and dry. I was so happy when it finally washed out of my hair (~month later) and it went back to feeling normal. Never again will that stuff touch my head. Disgusting. The smell, texture...everything.

My experience with henna has been completely, night-and-day, different from cassia. It has made my hair feel lusciously soft, strong, and wonderfully conditioned.

So strange how different individual experiences can be! :p

I'm glad you like henna. It just wasn't for me. Loved the color, though. Absolutely *loved* the color, but alas, the mud and then the drying part (not immediately after application, but in general).

[meteor]

This. Same issue. Took visiting a trichologist to confirm my hair was splitting and breaking from henna. Never again.

This is very interesting. Untressed, do you remember what your trichologist told you about how exactly henna damaged your hair? I would love to understand long-term effects of henna. :)

[Cania]

I find the idea of henna causing splits confusing. Why would it? Maybe the application, but the dye itself? Unless it isn't BAQ, I can imagine the metallic salts would cause damage...

[hanne jensen]

I've tried henna off and on through the years. My hair hates it. It leaves my hair dry, snarly and snappy. Fortunately for me, henna is far from permanent. It glides right out of my hair after about 10 washes. Everything does-proffessional perms, colorings, you name it.

[MINAKO]

Something i want or rather have to catch up on. As many of you may know i do use keratin treatments one week prior to an intense henndigo treatment. The last time my keratin came out incrdibly well and now after the henna application im not really impressed anymore, my hair is frizzy and feels drier than i would want it to be, also sort of coated while there is still alot of flyaways going on. I dont think i will henndigo again and rather stick to a vegetable dye completely, or even my natural color. I also expirience minor breakage and this is definitely NOT due to the keratin.
Still have some cassia left to use and gotta see if that would fix the problem or rather make it worse in a strand test.

[lapushka]

I dont think i will henndigo again and rather stick to a vegetable dye completely, or even my natural color. I also expirience minor breakage and this is definitely NOT due to the keratin.

I wonder... how can you be so sure? I experienced breakage a while ago, and didn't know why (no white dots). I started diffusing differently, not giving my hair as much warmth as before, and also by incorporating ROOM back into my routine - it stopped. I do suspect the blow drying as the culprit (might have been slightly too warm of a temperature I'd been using). So I wonder why you would rule out a chemical process?

[MINAKO]

Simply because it started immediately after rinsing out the henndigo. My hair was perfectly alright before, super sleek and soft. I suspect that the cause may be henna attaching to keratin itself and as a result i expirience something like a protein overdose. The color came out pretty intense too and much redder than usual.
So in my case it may not be the henna alone but as i will have to decide between the two i would rather stick with the keratin long term.
I still don!t detect any white dots just a few random short broken off pieces. Nothing dramatic, but considering the hard labour i would have expected smething else. I'm also surprised because im into henndigo for quite a while now. Sure enough next time nothing will be done with strand testing at least. :/

[lapushka]

Simply because it started immediately after rinsing out the henndigo. My hair was perfectly alright before, super sleek and soft. I suspect that the cause may be henna attaching to keratin itself and as a result i expirience something like a protein overdose. The color came out pretty intense too and much redder than usual.

I'm so sorry that happened. Could just be one thing too many. Not the fault of the henna/indigo per sé, but just accumulated "damage". The straw that broke the camel's back.

[MINAKO]

I was under the impression the henna would be beneficial in a way that it would "seal" in the other treatments even. That being said you are most likely right and the build up situation just got to severe on each individual strand. I'm using nothing but oil and at the end of the second week its slowly returning to normal. The upside was that i expirienced absolutely no tangles but that waxy feeling is something i do not like.
Playing with the idea of using half the henna and add alot more coconut milk or conditioner nexttime to dilite the entire mix. Im not sure, so probably will try the vegetable dye first and see how that goes.
Since i avoided bigger trims for so long i might also get rid of another two inches where the breakage occured.
I will have to keep a very close eye on this.

[Of the Fae]

Back for the first time in years but, I wanted to share my experience too!
I have used henna for 10 years, and I love it. However, one thing that is a big downside is that it does not go out of your hair ever. I had been trying to grow it out in order to decide whether I wanted to have my natural shade back (light ash blonde), but 9 months in, I changed my mind like I always do and embrace henna again like I have for the past decade. For people who are fickle with hair color henna is a bad choice!
Also, it tends to soften waves so if your hair is wavy it may turn straight. I generally braid it more when it is hennaed because that way I have a bit more wave. I think this is because henna adds to the protein of your hair, binds to the keratin molecules and maybe that weighs it down. It makes hair heavier and thicker.

For those experiencing very dry hair: I only ever had this with compound henna that contained metallic salts, or when I used too much lemon juice. But everyones hair is so very different, and the magical solution for one person's hair might be the worst for another, so it is super important to recognize personal variation.
Important tip: If you have fine hair, like me, love henna, but experience breakage during and after application because the mud hardens, or the acidic mix was too acidic, adjusting the consistency of your mix and using a finer sift of henna can make a world of difference!

I also noticed that the information about henna has improved over recent years, but I still hear people on YouTube stating that henna coats the hair and does not penetrate it, and that it is a demipermanent, both of which are the opposite of the truth :P I think many people got into trouble taking that advice and thinking henna would be like natural Manic Panic :P

[Of the Fae]

Oh that's unfortunate :/ I've read some people say it's pretty similar. I have been letting the henna grow out for maybe 5 or 6 months now and it is taking forever for my hair to grow it seems but I am trying to just ignore it right now though sometimes I really want to go color it in some way as the roots drive me nuts.

I was growing it out for a bit and in the mean time I covered the roots with manic panic in a nice shade of magenta. It made the roots pop but at the same time blend nicely with the henna. Eventually it washed out and I had blond bangs for a while after missing my henna and returning to it :P It had a little bit of warmth left from the manic panic but it was so little you could easily overlook. My point is: something like that might smooth your transition to your natural color. It is a lot of upkeep though.

[paulownia]

I can say that I do not hate henna;) we had a well functioning relationship since 2012... but I just stopped loving it.
I grew tired of red ( ever-changing woman's nature) and even though henna gave me shine and stronger hair, it also became... too healthy. I got to low porosity and weighed-down hair and I lost some of my wave pattern.
I quit henna and henndigo in January this year and I do not plan to take it up again. I grow out natural.
I'm right at the beginning of experimenting with a method of henna removal, a method that is unknown here I guess...
I will definitely post later with the results, its just that it will take time.... I need proof that its actually working.

[Shorty89]

Back for the first time in years but, I wanted to share my experience too!
I have used henna for 10 years, and I love it. However, one thing that is a big downside is that it does not go out of your hair ever. I had been trying to grow it out in order to decide whether I wanted to have my natural shade back (light ash blonde), but 9 months in, I changed my mind like I always do and embrace henna again like I have for the past decade. For people who are fickle with hair color henna is a bad choice!
Also, it tends to soften waves so if your hair is wavy it may turn straight. I generally braid it more when it is hennaed because that way I have a bit more wave. I think this is because henna adds to the protein of your hair, binds to the keratin molecules and maybe that weighs it down. It makes hair heavier and thicker.

For those experiencing very dry hair: I only ever had this with compound henna that contained metallic salts, or when I used too much lemon juice. But everyones hair is so very different, and the magical solution for one person's hair might be the worst for another, so it is super important to recognize personal variation.
Important tip: If you have fine hair, like me, love henna, but experience breakage during and after application because the mud hardens, or the acidic mix was too acidic, adjusting the consistency of your mix and using a finer sift of henna can make a world of difference!

I also noticed that the information about henna has improved over recent years, but I still hear people on YouTube stating that henna coats the hair and does not penetrate it, and that it is a demipermanent, both of which are the opposite of the truth :P I think many people got into trouble taking that advice and thinking henna would be like natural Manic Panic :P

Dry hair can also be because it acts like protein. I get dry hair from henna so I do an SMT the day or so after I use it. Mind you, I use it more for colour than anything else.

[MadHatter]

Henna! I still love it, I could never hate it! I used it to color my hair for..... almost 10 years? I've always loved red hair. I loved red hair on me. But I love blonde too, I love it on me a tad bit more than the red. As wonderful as henna is, it is a lover that won't let you go easily. The separation was an extreme process for me. Lots of bleaching, lots of damage. I was able to mitigate the damage, but of course you can't reverse it.

[Amy-Lee]

I'm not a fan of henna/indigo, but I don't think I have given up just yet. I talked to a long haired lady on YouTube who swears by henna mixed with coconut milk. It removes the dry/brittle feeling. Her words, not mine. I wonder if coconut oil AND coconut milk will be even better. I may give it another try one day.

Btw, it looks like you found the culprit.... lemon!

[jеstеr]

I'm not a fan of henna/indigo, but I don't think I have given up just yet. I talked to a long haired lady on YouTube who swears by henna mixed with coconut milk. It removes the dry/brittle feeling. Her words, not mine. I wonder if coconut oil AND coconut milk will be even better. I may give it another try one day.

Btw, it looks like you found the culprit.... lemon!
i use coconut oil before hennaing hair, plus I add a lot of fenugreek gel I make in advance, and I use very high quality BAq henna, which washes out easily, then just cowash and deep condition. I do mix henna dyeaing and atandard as I have a lot of grays and I do not want red roots.
in any case, coconut oil still helps and the color still takes.

[valesprite]

I can say that I do not hate henna;) we had a well functioning relationship since 2012... but I just stopped loving it.
I grew tired of red ( ever-changing woman's nature) and even though henna gave me shine and stronger hair, it also became... too healthy. I got to low porosity and weighed-down hair and I lost some of my wave pattern.
I quit henna and henndigo in January this year and I do not plan to take it up again. I grow out natural.
I'm right at the beginning of experimenting with a method of henna removal, a method that is unknown here I guess...
I will definitely post later with the results, its just that it will take time.... I need proof that its actually working.

See, this would be a pro for me. :) This is why I can't decide whether I should try henna. Something that is preferable for one person isn't for another, so I guess I won't know until I try.