Henna for thicker hair....yay or nay

[SimplyBlessed]

Hey ladies while i'm bored here at work I got to thinking about henna (yea I know sad isn't it). I have never used henna but have heard great things. I do hear that henna helps to thicken hair, but I was wondering since it makes ur curl pattern looser will the weighing down of the hair be bad for thin fragile strands....mmmm

I have also heard that it can be drying but maybe a prepoo will prevent that....right?

Any info or experiences would be appreciated

Also what are some of ur mixes?

Thanks ladies!!

I am natural with very thin hair....help!

 

[SimplyBlessed]

ohhh come on ladies I know there's some henna lovers out there that have gotten great results from henna....go ahead spill the beans!!

 

[doll-baby]

So far I've only ventured to try Cassia (neutral henna) and I can tell that is has thickened my hair. I have read that regular henna will definitely help thicken the hair even more so than cassia. I'll probably give regular henna a try in the fall.

 

[Pandora1975]

Yes. Totally. Like night and day.

For me at least. Seemed stronger too. Also, while it loosened some of my curl pattern, after my last treatment, the section at the front of my head that had almost no curl got its curl back. Can't explain it, but it happened.

ETA: I forgot to mention that yes, it can be drying, but what you mix it with can counteract that. I mix with green or chamomile tea instead of water and let that sit while I cowash and put on my turban to soak up most of the water and partially dry my hair. Then I add honey, and an oil. I've used coconut, olive, and vatika. I liked vatika the best. when I'm done I have a smooth pudding consistency. I leave it on for 4-8 hours depending on what I'm doing at the time, and if I have to go anywhere. I follow up with a long dc treatment. I have not had dryness issues with this method. Sorry I don't have amounts for this- I approach hair care like cooking- I know when its enough.

 

[vkb247]

So are you asking if henna is only for people with thicker hair? I voted yes (yay?) but I think henna is great for everyone.

 

[ceebee3]

I have fine hair and I've done the henna and indigo process twice so far. I really liked it. You can tell right away that the hair feels thicker.

I did find it to be a bit drying the first time so I made sure to deep condition like crazy and it took about 5 days to get my moisture back up.

The second time around I did a hot oil treatment and a deep condition after rinsing the henna, and after rinsing the indigo. That helped me retain a lot of moisture. I also used conditioner (Suave Humectant) to rinse both of those out.

I didn't mix anything in my henna just water.

Hope that helps.

 

[SweetNic_JA]

I did henna the right way, for the first time a couple days ago. It made my hair strands feel a lot thicker. I am a 4a/4b but my hair (especially in the back) looked more like a 3b/4a texture - but it was dry as all get out.

 

[fyb87]

Hey ladies while i'm bored here at work I got to thinking about henna (yea I know sad isn't it). I have never used henna but have heard great things. I do hear that henna helps to thicken hair, but I was wondering since it makes ur curl pattern looser will the weighing down of the hair be bad for thin fragile strands....mmmm

I have also heard that it can be drying but maybe a prepoo will prevent that....right?

Any info or experiences would be appreciated

Also what are some of ur mixes?

Thanks ladies!!

I am natural with very thin hair....help!

I do Cassia/Henna (150g of each) Treatments and I do believe that how it acts on each persons hair varies. For instance, I have softer and stronger hair. But, I it hasn't made my hair thicker and I have used it 5 times since June 13th (shoot for every 3 weeks). Some people say they notice a difference after the first treatment. However, it took my 5th treatment for me to notice a difference as far as softness. It was my 3rd treatment that I noticed I had stronger hair.

I haven't experienced dryness. Maybe because I only use one tea back with my water and I add honey. I also do a moisturizing deep conditioner (no protein) for an hour after I have washed it out. I think some people don't do a ton of research before trying it and jump right in because they heard itdoes this and that for you. As long as you do your research (go to www.hennaforhair.com for FREE e-book) you should be fine. It took me about a month of research and reading everything I could find before I actually ventured out and I did Cassia alone my first time.

Oh and I am natural with about 3/4 fine hair and 1/4 medium hair. I didn't vote because I haven't personally experienced thicker hair.

 

[charmtreese]

I have very fine hair and I have seen an increase in thickness, less shedding and over all healthier hair. I have used henna about 4 or 5 times in the last month or so. I LOVE it!!!

 

[heyfranz]

I have fine relaxed hair and i love henna. The first time i used it, my hair was dry and brittle because i didn't know i should DC afterwards. The next and subsequent times i mixed it w/a cheapie moisturizing condish, a little EVOO and a little water, but mostly condish and followed up with an overnight DC. I now henna regularly using the same mix. My hair looks and feels thicker, stronger, no breakage. I will henna for life. I use Karishma or Beauty BAQ which comes pre- mixed w/Amla and Shikakai. I get it from my local indian neighborhood store

 

[SimplyBlessed]

Thanks for the responses ladies I've been trying to find a reason 2 get my butt back 2 the Indian store lol and have really been thinking about using henna to help thicken my poor poor thin hair...plus its natural!

Pandora if it helped get ur curls back then i'm def all for it b/c the front of my hair is sooooo heat damaged...

so only thing now is to research some mixes and how often to use it??? mmmmmm

 

[baddison]

Yup, I'm a henna-head too. Every 2nd and 4th Friday nite of each month. My hair is relaxed and fine, but henna has managed to thicken and strengthen my tresses. My favorite mix is NUPUR henna with some amla oil and a nice cone-free/sls-free conditioner. I use Aubrey Organics for that. I love what henna is doing for my greys, too. It was a blessed day the day I first laid my eyes on the "Do Y'all Henna?" thread....LOL!

 

[yodie]

I used Karishma last night for the first time in years. My first time using henna (not sure what type of henna I used) dried my hair something awful. Maybe that's because I mixed it with yogurt.

I mixed Karishma henna (last night) with water. I could tell the difference as soon as I washed it out. My hair was thin, weak and lifeless before henna. After I rinsed (VO5 Moisture Milk - GREAT stuff), my hair felt strong again. Felt normal for the first time in a long time. WOW!! I indigo'd and slept with conditioner on over night. I have to flat iron and all that stuff today.

I also dc'd on dry hair before henna. Just wanted to make sure I didn't experience all that dryness.

So far it's a keeper.

 

[Charz]

I love henna, I do it once a week!

 

[tocktick]

I'm not sure if it thickens up hair. It did make my hair stronger though. As for loosening my texture it was noticeable yet not too significant. However, that could be because I don't do it regularly enough.

I mix henna powder, lemon juice, hot water and olive oil together and leave it in an dark place (covered with film) for 24hrs in a dark place. After that, I leave it on my hair overnight, wash out, shampoo and then condition. My hair is strong but never hard or dry after this.

 

[beans4reezy]

I keep going back and forth on whether I should try Henna to thicken my fine strands. I'm leaning on trying it though..maybe when I take my kinky twists out at the end of this month.

 

[Bunmi]

As I have made the decision not to use chemicals of any kind in my hair, I use henna every two weeks...mainly for color (turns my greys into really nice highlights ). However, I really like the benefits I'm reaping with regards to the health of my hair as well.

I add water and orange juice (fresh squeezed) to the henna powder and leave it to sit covered for at least 12 hours in order to get good dye release. After applying, and since I henna often, I leave it in my hair for three hours max. After washing it out I DC - I don't shampoo after henna. So far I haven't had any problems with dryness.

 

[cmw45]

I would say nay. But just because I have different thoughts on hair thickness than I feel a lot of folks do. I think that there are three things that determine how "thick" your hair looks. 1) The actual "thickness" of diameter of your strands and 2) the number of hairs you have per square inch on your head and 3) which phase of growth the strand on your head are in.

I don't think that there is any real way for someone to increase the thickness of their actual strands (1). I think it's genetic. However, I think individuals with lots of hair (many strands per square inch) can appear to have thick hair. All of that is to say, while I don't believe that henna can increase the actual size or "thickness" of your individual strands, I do believe that it may be able to help promote growth which in term (in the long run) could promote thicker looking hair. Ya feel me?

 

[yodie]

I would say nay. But just because I have different thoughts on hair thickness than I feel a lot of folks do. I think that there are three things that determine how "thick" your hair looks. 1) The actual "thickness" of diameter of your strands and 2) the number of hairs you have per square inch on your head and 3) which phase of growth the strand on your head are in.

I don't think that there is any real way for someone to increase the thickness of their actual strands (1). I think it's genetic. However, I think individuals with lots of hair (many strands per square inch) can appear to have thick hair. All of that is to say, while I don't believe that henna can increase the actual size or "thickness" of your individual strands, I do believe that it may be able to help promote growth which in term (in the long run) could promote thicker looking hair. Ya feel me?

I hear what you're saying, but I think henna temporarily thickens the hair because it coats each strand with each application. I'm sure the results fade when you no longer henna. Right now I'll take the temporary thickening. My strands desperately need it. lol!!

 

[Jetblackhair]

I hear what you're saying, but I think henna temporarily thickens the hair because it coats each strand with each application. I'm sure the results fade when you no longer henna. Right now I'll take the temporary thickening. My strands desperately need it. lol!!

I totally agree!

 

[fyb87]

I would say nay. But just because I have different thoughts on hair thickness than I feel a lot of folks do. I think that there are three things that determine how "thick" your hair looks. 1) The actual "thickness" of diameter of your strands and 2) the number of hairs you have per square inch on your head and 3) which phase of growth the strand on your head are in.

I don't think that there is any real way for someone to increase the thickness of their actual strands (1). I think it's genetic. However, I think individuals with lots of hair (many strands per square inch) can appear to have thick hair. All of that is to say, while I don't believe that henna can increase the actual size or "thickness" of your individual strands, I do believe that it may be able to help promote growth which in term (in the long run) could promote thicker looking hair. Ya feel me?

+1. I have done 5 Cassia/Henna Treatments in a two month time period. First one was June 13th and last one was August 1st (not even 2 months) and I have NOT noticed any thickness in my hair. I will say it is stronger and softer for sure. I am really heavy handed and I feel I could do anything to it at this point!!

 

[RedVelvet310]

Definately give it a try , it's natural and I've yet to hear a horror story (except when lighter haired individuals try to colour). You'll definately notice that your hair is STRONGER and thicker (but moreso stonger). There is dryness but it can be counteracted (I for example add plain fatty yogurt, olive oil and castor oil into my henna/water mix) and after shampooing my hair I put coconut oil on the section before I put the henna in. (Next week I'm going to do a hot castor oil treatment before shampooing). I then just condition with a cheapie conditioner and my hair has never felt better! Give it a try, experiment and keep a good moisturizing DC close at hand

 

[SimplyBlessed]

I mix henna powder, lemon juice, hot water and olive oil together and leave it in an dark place (covered with film) for 24hrs in a dark place. After that, I leave it on my hair overnight, wash out, shampoo and then condition. My hair is strong but never hard or dry after this.

That mix seems like the most popular mix...maybe I'll try that...is the lemon juice adding more to the dryness that I hear about?

I keep going back and forth on whether I should try Henna to thicken my fine strands. I'm leaning on trying it though..maybe when I take my kinky twists out at the end of this month.

Try it with me and let me know how it turns out!! I'll keep u posted on mine!!

I do believe that it may be able to help promote growth which in term (in the long run) could promote thicker looking hair. Ya feel me?

Get where your coming from with w/growth maybe looking like thicker hair..mmmm

Definately give it a try , it's natural and I've yet to hear a horror story (except when lighter haired individuals try to colour). You'll definately notice that your hair is STRONGER and thicker (but moreso stonger). There is dryness but it can be counteracted (I for example add plain fatty yogurt, olive oil and castor oil into my henna/water mix) and after shampooing my hair I put coconut oil on the section before I put the henna in. (Next week I'm going to do a hot castor oil treatment before shampooing). I then just condition with a cheapie conditioner and my hair has never felt better! Give it a try, experiment and keep a good moisturizing DC close at hand

You make it sound sooo easy....ur making want to go to the Indian store 1st thing in the AM....

 

[morehairplease]

I sure hope so b/c my fine strands could really use the thickness. This past weekend, I was able to purchase a bag of Karishma henna locally for $1.99 and have plans to do my first henna treatment two weeks from this Friday.

 

[SimplyBlessed]

^^^ Keep me posted on ur results I'm going to the indian store tom to get mine

 

[morehairplease]

^^^ Keep me posted on ur results I'm going to the indian store tom to get mine

will do sweetie!Love you hair in your avatar pic, btw!

 

[Pandora1975]

The only other suggestions I have are:

1. Use gloves for the mixing, application, and rinsing. Orange hands and nails are not a good look.

2. Have lots of conditioner on hand for the removal. You will be surprised at how much you used to remove it. V05 is usually 99 cents a bottle and perfect for this. I didn't have enough my first go and had to dip into our mor expensive stuff. Now I use it for my normal cowashes, so I always have at least 2 bottles already in my stash.

3. Newspaper! I cover the floor under me and my entire work surface. Furniture and tile are too expensive for stains.

4. Try the henna without the lemon juice for the first go. Henna is already drying and adding an acid will only make it more so. The acid is to aid in the color release, but imo, you should already get good release if you let it sit in the bowl or on your head long enough. Even more so with Karishma than Jamila, but Jamila's no slouch. See how you like your hair without it first, you may not need to dry your hair further (this was the best advise I got before I started henna).

I'll add anything else I can think of as I think of it. I'm home today (thank goodness).

 

[Kellum]

Yes, definitely. I did my first henna a few days ago and I love the results. I can tell after only one treatment my hair is thicker, strong, softer, the strands are smoother, and shiny.
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=391178

 

[KiniKakes]

I have fine hair. Henna definitely helps to thicken it (on a TEMPORARY basis only, for me). but it also caused it to be VERY dry so u definitely need to step up ure moisturze game or u may find increased breakage.

 

[mscocoface]

I have thick hair already so I don't know if it helps with that, but I do know it helps with shedding and tangles for me. It seems when I henna more often I have less shedding and tangles and those two are enough for me to probably start using Henna every other week instead of once a month. Also going to be creating more teas for rinsing my hair during cowashing sessions.