Why did Henna make my hair hard?

[JustKiya]

I dont disagree with what you are saying.... but Ive seen some BAQ henna on the shelves looking in pretty bad condition ( Amla & Shikakai powder too for that matter) which leads me to think this BAQ isnt monitored by the USA/FDA... its imported stuff that can have any & everything it in... thus in it self can be dangerous...

Ah, yeah - I don't buy henna from the Indian stores, because there is no certainty that it actually is BAQ - I can't actually ever remember seeing henna labeled as BAQ on the shelf - it's usually 'Hair' Henna or 'Mehindi' - but no details. Plus, the stuff might be older than dirt, which would make it a waste of money, too.

I know people are sometimes too impatient to wait to get something from online, but seriously, sometimes it's worth the wait.

 

[Neroli]

That's BLACK henna, which contains PPD's, and which would NEVER be found in pure, 100%, BAQ henna.

If it claims to make any color besides red/reddish orange, there is something in it besides henna, which means it is no longer PURE BAQ Henna - which means you are running the risk of having some crazy stuff mixed in with the henna - which is why there is always a push/encouragement to skip the colored stuff, and buy pure henna - esp. if it's your first time henna'ing. *sigh*
Obviously, more experienced henna users have the knowledge and wisdom to navigate the minefield of 'mixed' henna's (personally, I don't even bother trying - I stick to 100% henna at allllllllll times) - but the pure Body Art Quality Henna is 99.9% the safest.

@ JustKiya, ITA with you everything you said. There's so much myth and bad bad misinformation around henna out there, its ridiculous. I spent months in the spring of 2006 researching henna and indigo myself -- reading, reading, reading everything I could get my hands on before I finally took the plunge and then, I did a harvest test just to be sure -- and I love the results and never had any problems whatsoever. I've never used any other type of hair color, just henna and indigo and I don't ever intend to. Information is power.


@PassionFruit, I come here to get and share information and yes, sometimes debate -- as a lawyer, I believe in healthy debate cuz I just might, maybe acquire some useful information -- Lord knows I'm always learning, sometimes re-learning things I thought I knew all about . . .

 

[poookie]

ITA with this post, all with the exception of the lemon juice. Please don't add any lemon juice or ACV or any kind of terps for that matter - they are wayyyy too drying for African hair.

i respectfully disagree. terps can be drying if not followed up with proper deep conditioners.

OP, you said you used nexxus humectress as a deep conditioner. i've found that that isn't the greatest deep conditioner, and that might have something to do with the mineral oil.

when I henna, i use at least 1/3 a cup of lemon juice in addition to other things i mix in there... and i've had zero problems with dryness. however, in rinsing out, i use a TON of cheap conditoiner, like tresseme + SAA, or suave humectant. then i'll deep condition with keracare humecto, or another DEEEP conditioner that actually penetrates.

i've found that using terps allows for better color deposit, and i've had zero problems. that includes lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and the one time i did it with red wine.

ladies, don't let the terps scare you, but PLEASE find a good deep conditioner, AND have a TON of cheap, slippy conditioner on hand.

however... different strokes for different folks.

but... if you're hair's still hard after henna-ing, you didn't deep condition properly. bottom line.

 

[PassionFruit]

@PassionFruit, I come here to get and share information and yes, sometimes debate -- as a lawyer, I believe in healthy debate cuz I just might, maybe acquire some useful information -- Lord knows I'm always learning, sometimes re-learning things I thought I knew all about . . .

dont take me not wanting to debate at that time personal... simply,I was at work and didnt have time to type my thoughts at that time...

 

[Aggie]

i respectfully disagree. terps can be drying if not followed up with proper deep conditioners.

OP, you said you used nexxus humectress as a deep conditioner. i've found that that isn't the greatest deep conditioner, and that might have something to do with the mineral oil.

when I henna, i use at least 1/3 a cup of lemon juice in addition to other things i mix in there... and i've had zero problems with dryness. however, in rinsing out, i use a TON of cheap conditoiner, like tresseme + SAA, or suave humectant. then i'll deep condition with keracare humecto, or another DEEEP conditioner that actually penetrates.

i've found that using terps allows for better color deposit, and i've had zero problems. that includes lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and the one time i did it with red wine.

ladies, don't let the terps scare you, but PLEASE find a good deep conditioner, AND have a TON of cheap, slippy conditioner on hand.

however... different strokes for different folks.

but... if you're hair's still hard after henna-ing, you didn't deep condition properly. bottom line.

This thread is becoming a little too cambative for me, I'm officially out and unsubscribing. Sorry.

 

[**SaSSy**]

update: I just finish shampooing with suave clarify and dc for about 5 hours with karecare humento, honey, olive oil (work pretty good), and condition with moisturfuse, and my hair is starting to FINALLY soften up a bit (still not before the henna mess), and not break so worst as before (still breaking though).

So someone posted earlier and said the balsams co-wash is not good to soften my hair, and that I shouldn't use DPR-11 anymore. so someone please tell me what I should buy instead to co-wash that's pure moisture?


(BUMPPing because I don't want us to get off topic please too much!)

Thanks!

 

[poookie]

This thread is becoming a little too cambative for me, I'm officially out and unsubscribing. Sorry.

i didn't mean to be combative. i'm sorry

 

[Starr1]

It sounds like you desperately need moisture. I suggest that you get a regular conditioner without protein add aloe (juice or gel) and a little honey, wrap your head with saran wrap and let it sit for at least an hour.

And next time avoid adding anything that's unneccessary to your henna. I would also lay off the shampoo in the rinsing stage and instead use a cheap cone free conditioner until the majority of the grit has been rinsed away.

 

[JustKiya]

QP DPR-11 has petrolatum in it so I don't know if you should be using this. Many ladies say that this tend to coat the hair and doesn't provide the slip your hair need right now. As far as the Balsam, I read an article sometime last year that said balsams are not good for our hair either, I can't remember why but I do know that I avoid balsams like the plague.

If you need something totally protein free then the only deep conditioner I can think of is Pantene Relaxed and Natural Breakage Defense Hair Conditioning Mask which you could find in any BSS store or even Walmart, okay? I would recommend that you try saturating your hair with this, put on a plastic cap, DC with heat for about 30 minutes and go to bed with it still in your hair and wash out the next morning. You should repeat this a few nights in a row to get the moisture back deep in your hair cuticles.

update: I just finish shampooing with suave clarify and dc for about 5 hours with karecare humento, honey, olive oil (work pretty good), and condition with moisturfuse, and my hair is starting to FINALLY soften up a bit (still not before the henna mess), and not break so worst as before (still breaking though).

So someone posted earlier and said the balsams co-wash is not good to soften my hair, and that I shouldn't use DPR-11 anymore. so someone please tell me what I should buy instead to co-wash that's pure moisture?


(BUMPPing because I don't want us to get off topic please too much!)

Thanks!

Aggie suggested the Patene product - I don't know if it would be too 'rich' for a co-wash, but I suspect your hair might not mind it at this point in time.
You might also want to try cowashing with some cheapies (Suave/V05, etc) - they are usually protien free (read the ingredients, all the same) and can give your hair some moisture.

And I would stop using a clarifying shampoo The last thing your hair needs right now is to be stripped of its oils and moisture!

As far as the terps go, I suspect that the OP shouldn't have used any terps (esp. on her first time out), and I know that many of the ladies who use henna do not use terps specifically because they cause their hair to be much drier, harder, and tends towards breakage afterwards, even with a good DC around (I'm one of those ladies ).

It's always wiser to be cautious about a new process, and to proceed simply and safely, than to assume that your hair can 'handle' it, and jump in with both feet. Being scared can be a very good thing, sometimes.

 

[january noir]

update: I just finish shampooing with suave clarify and dc for about 5 hours with karecare humento, honey, olive oil (work pretty good), and condition with moisturfuse, and my hair is starting to FINALLY soften up a bit (still not before the henna mess), and not break so worst as before (still breaking though).

So someone posted earlier and said the balsams co-wash is not good to soften my hair, and that I shouldn't use DPR-11 anymore. so someone please tell me what I should buy instead to co-wash that's pure moisture?

Here are a few that I am familiar with.

1. Pantene Relaxed & Natural Breakage Defense Mask (recommended by Aggie & JustKiya)
2. Trader Joe's Nourish Spa
3. Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner
4. Nexxus Humectress
5. WEN Cleansing Condtioner - can only be purchased online

 

[poookie]

i washed out my last henna with trader joe's nourish spa! it is AMAZING!!

 

[PassionFruit]

*adds Trader Joe's Nourish Spa to next month's shopping list*

 

[january noir]

i washed out my last henna with trader joe's nourish spa! it is AMAZING!!

I just picked up a few bottles during my trip to Trader Joe's yesterday. The price point is great and from the reviews on the forum, it's one of the best cheapies out there.

 

[JustKiya]

I can't wait til Trader Joe's make it to the South, man!!! It has all the good stuff!

 

[january noir]

I can't wait til Trader Joe's make it to the South, man!!! It has all the good stuff!

Where you at JustKiya? Don't cry. I'll send you some...

 

[JustKiya]

Where you at JustKiya? Don't cry. I'll send you some...

Aren't you sweet hun!!?! I'm in Memphis - it's okay, though, I need to smell stuff, first.

I might see if there is a TJ's in Philly - I'm heading up there this summer.

 

[PassionFruit]

There is a Trader Joe's near my job where I usually only buy 2 Buck Chuck.... been meaning to peruse the haircare aisles... I saw someone praise some lotion from there as well....

now I can by wint to drink while I co-wash

 

[poookie]

it has a light, floral scent. reminds me a little of giovanni direct, except its milder.

 

[january noir]

Aren't you sweet hun!!?! I'm in Memphis - it's okay, though, I need to smell stuff, first.

I might see if there is a TJ's in Philly - I'm heading up there this summer.

OK. If you change your mind, PM me... I would be happy to send you some Nourish Spa.

 

[**SaSSy**]

I just brought V05 moisture milks for my co-washes.

Should I stop using my other conditioners such as:

Baba de Caracol and Lady Fior Balsams Avocado(I added olive oil) for co-washes, and DPR-11 when I mix it honey and olive oil?

 

[*closer*2*my*dreams*]

Keep the Vo5 until your hair retains it's balance; lay off the other stuff for a while;

Keep doing the keracare mix with honey & olive oil as well (until your hair gets back on track at least) I would suggest laying off everything else....

 

[january noir]

Sassyb4Classy...
If you are in the vicinity of a Trader Joe's run, don't walk, to it and buy a couple bottles of Nourish Spa. I tried it for the first time tonight after my exercising and it's DA BOMB. AND it's CHEAP! $2. and change.

Co wash with that and also leave on overnight. That will help your hair. It should and it is MOISTURIZING!

 

[Aggie]

Sassyb4Classy...
If you are in the vicinity of a Trader Joe's run, don't walk, to it and buy a couple bottles of Nourish Spa. I tried it for the first time tonight after my exercising and it's DA BOMB. AND it's CHEAP! $2. and change.

Co wash with that and also leave on overnight. That will help your hair. It should and it is MOISTURIZING!

Re-subscribing to ask - JN, can this be bought online? If so, what's the site address? I wanna check that out. Oh, does it have any protein in it and if so, which protein does it have?

 

[**SaSSy**]

update: I went to the hair salon and got a wash and set and they use some dominican dc that mad my hair a little softer, and I pre-poo with some keracare humento before i went. I'm so over my hair right now! Until it's time for my touch-up (sept or oct 2008) I'm getting wash and sets every two weeks!

 

[january noir]

Re-subscribing to ask - JN, can this be bought online? If so, what's the site address? I wanna check that out. Oh, does it have any protein in it and if so, which protein does it have?

No Aggie, you can't buy online.

 

[JustKiya]

Re-subscribing to ask - JN, can this be bought online? If so, what's the site address? I wanna check that out. Oh, does it have any protein in it and if so, which protein does it have?

No Aggie, you can't buy online.

But there's always eBay....

http://stores.ebay.com/Special-Foods-And-More_Hair-Care_W0QQfsubZ18QQfrsrcZ1

 

[Starr1]

it has a light, floral scent. reminds me a little of giovanni direct, except its milder.

ITA, the smell is heavenly! Not to strong and slightly floral/herbal.

 

[Patricia]

MY HAIR WAS HARD TOO! ONLY THING THAT WORKED FOR ME WAS ORS REPLINISHING PAC

 

[ToyToy]

My hair hated Henna as well, and I used BAC-Henna. I tried it a few times, but each time my hair was hard and really tangled, even though I did my best to rinse it out. And I couldn't stand how messy it is!!

 

[PassionFruit]

funny, I use various Nexxus Phyto Organic conditioners and other more expensive conditioners for DC. but NONE of em work better than my $3 Cholesterol after Ive done a henna treatment