How long do you wait to wash/CO after henna?

**WednesdayAddams** · October 8th, 2024, 11:28 PM

It's been a while since I did a straight henna and now I just can't remember. Is 48 hours enough?

**paulownia** · October 9th, 2024, 01:59 PM

Yes, 48 hours

If I do henna on Sunday I usually wash on Tuesday.

**Nightshade** · October 9th, 2024, 02:31 PM

You honestly don't have to wait at all unless you're using a cassia-heavy blend and a gentle shampoo.

I use a blend that's more than 50% cassia and I shampoo my henna out without issues

**WednesdayAddams** · October 9th, 2024, 04:07 PM

Thanks to both of you.

**luthiene** · October 10th, 2024, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by Nightshade

You honestly don't have to wait at all unless you're using a cassia-heavy blend and a gentle shampoo.

I use a blend that's more than 50% cassia and I shampoo my henna out without issues

Why would a gentle shampoo be more of a reason to wait to wash vs using a harsher shampoo?

**paulownia** · October 11th, 2024, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by luthiene

Why would a gentle shampoo be more of a reason to wait to wash vs using a harsher shampoo?

I'm also curious, why?

Generally using shampoo after henna is not necessary if hair was shampooed before the treatment. It's recommended to clarify and chelate before henna and cassia. So if the hair was washed before - and herbs are clean- there's no need to shampoo after.
A good mermaid soak helps to remove all henna particles from the scalp and hair.
If one applies henna on unwashed, dirty hair ... that's another thing.

**Nightshade** · October 12th, 2024, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by luthiene

Why would a gentle shampoo be more of a reason to wait to wash vs using a harsher shampoo?

Originally Posted by paulownia

I'm also curious, why?

Generally using shampoo after henna is not necessary if hair was shampooed before the treatment. It's recommended to clarify and chelate before henna and cassia. So if the hair was washed before - and herbs are clean- there's no need to shampoo after.
A good mermaid soak helps to remove all henna particles from the scalp and hair.
If one applies henna on unwashed, dirty hair ... that's another thing.

The main reason is that shampoo creates air spaces in between the hair, which allows the henna mud particles to move into those spaces and away better than it will with just conditioner, which can (especially with very thick hair) slick down into sheets that are more challenging to rinse.

Henna is pretty bomb proof, so it's faster and you get a better mud removal with shampoo without loss of color. You can of course use whatever shampoo you'd like, but when rinsing out something that can be more sensitive, like cassia's golden color, a harsh shampoo can pull some of the color, but a gentle one will (generally) not.

**~~Rosa Haynes~~** · November 6th, 2024, 08:08 AM

What are the nuances of using henna! I just applied it and washed it off after 40 minutes or an hour, but here it is 48 hours of walking? Is it with a wrapped head or something?

**paulownia** · November 6th, 2024, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Rosa Haynes

What are the nuances of using henna! I just applied it and washed it off after 40 minutes or an hour, but here it is 48 hours of walking? Is it with a wrapped head or something?

40 minutes is a bit too short

Just rinse, dry your hair and go about your day.

**Hairy-Fairy** · November 6th, 2024, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Rosa Haynes

What are the nuances of using henna! I just applied it and washed it off after 40 minutes or an hour, but here it is 48 hours of walking? Is it with a wrapped head or something?

I think people are saying they rinse the henna with water instead of using shampoo to wash it out. And wait 48 hours to use shampoo. So it's not that they're leaving henna on their hair for 48 hours.