Do ya'll henna?

[LaNecia]

***head spinning!!***

Perhaps I am getting it wrong because I don't really understand the whole cortex, vortex, cybex and so on ( ) but I know that the henna DOESN'T change the structure of the hair.

Perhaps when I think of the term 'coating' I'm relating it to cellophanes which topically coat the hair shaft and gradually wash off BECAUSE it is a coating. Where as with henna, it can gradually fade (some but not totally) but it is very GRADUAL and thus considered to be a more 'permanent' coloring solution. There is a process whereby you can strip henna from the hair but it's risky because it is a chemical process which has to strip the color from the hair.

So that's where in my thinking I come to: it penetrates the hair shaft but not in a damaging manner. I just read a thread where some ladies were trying to 'remove' henna from their hair without using chemicals...No Dice. There's not washing that henna right outta ya hurr, once it's in thurr!!

 

[Neroli]

***head spinning!!***

Perhaps I am getting it wrong because I don't really understand the whole cortex, vortex, cybex and so on ( ) but I know that the henna DOESN'T change the structure of the hair.

Perhaps when I think of the term 'coating' I'm relating it to cellophanes which topically coat the hair shaft and gradually wash off BECAUSE it is a coating. Where as with henna, it can gradually fade (some but not totally) but it is very GRADUAL and thus considered to be a more 'permanent' coloring solution. There is a process whereby you can strip henna from the hair but it's risky because it is a chemical process which has to strip the color from the hair.

So that's where in my thinking I come to: it penetrates the hair shaft but not in a damaging manner. I just read a thread where some ladies were trying to 'remove' henna from their hair without using chemicals...No Dice. There's not washing that henna right outta ya hurr, once it's in thurr!!

cortex, vortex, cybex LOL!! Yeah, it can be a bit much but I'll say it again, I'm a complete research junkie (being an attorney makes that a GOOD thing!) and I delved into all things hair when I joined LHCF and spend hours, days, weeks trying to understand hair in general and how relaxers in particular work on hair. The quick skinny is that hair has two general "layers" (there are more, but not relevant for this discussion . . .

1. cuticle: outer layer of the hair shaft that under microscrope looks like the scales of fishes and it "opens" and "closes" depending on the stuff we use on our hair. Healthy cuticles open and close readily and the "shine" on hair is from flawless cuticles, tightly closed causing the light to reflect of the surface of the hair. if high pH products like relaxers are applied, the cuticles open up wide and if we do this alot (like touching up every 6 weeks) then the cutilcles or individuals scales become unable to "close" again or worse are permanently "eaten" away by the relaxers so that mositure and treatments cannot be retained inside the hair 'casue the cuticle has so many "holes" and "gaps" in it or it remains partially open and cannot close completely. That's why relaxed hair is generally dry because the hair cannot keep mosture in PLUS the relaxer eats the cuticle (protein) that protect the inner structure of the hair -- double whammy every touchup! This function of opening and closing is why pH is important (but that's a whole nother thread!)

2. cortex: the inner most layer of the hair and where relaxers and such must penetrate in order to change the structure (make straigter or curler) and in order for the cortex to be penetrated, the protein bonds linking the various outer layers to the cortex must be broken down (essentially damaged). This is what henna will not do, it does not act to break down the protein bonds, but actually connects with and binds with them to form stronger protein links on the surface and does not act at all on cortex. Indeed, the diagram at henna for hair shows how the henna leaves the cortex totally untouched. THIS is what convinces me to try henna, because unlike commercial dyes, it does not penetrate the cortex and destroy protein links in the hair. Lord knows my relaxer already does that!

Oh well, HTH

Regards,
Neroli (4b, relaxed & hennaed!)

 

[Jaelin]

Thanks for the explantions.

I am about to do my second treatment this coming weekend. My irst time was a few weeks ago. I was hoping to change my color but there were several reasons why that didn't work out. I should have all my bookmarked threads and the henna sites first but it was a total impluse. I had a packet of henna that was lying around for more than a year.

No color change, but the conditioning was really great . Just on that one application, it's a keeper for me. I need to do some more research to figure out what to do to get my dark hair a bit red.

 

[LaNecia]

cortex, vortex, cybex LOL!! Yeah, it can be a bit much but I'll say it again, I'm a complete research junkie (being an attorney makes that a GOOD thing!) and I delved into all things hair when I joined LHCF and spend hours, days, weeks trying to understand hair in general and how relaxers in particular work on hair. The quick skinny is that hair has two general "layers" (there are more, but not relevant for this discussion . . .

In the words of Bo Peep from Toy Story..."I've found MY moving buddy!"

Wow, that breaks it DOWN!! Thanks for the explanation!

 

[Neroli]

In the words of Bo Peep from Toy Story..."I've found MY moving buddy!"

Wow, that breaks it DOWN!! Thanks for the explanation!

LOL! cortex, vortex, cybex, your hair is still da bomb AND many thanks to you and Sareca for leading me down the road to hennaland . . .

 

[sareca]

LOL! cortex, vortex, cybex, your hair is still da bomb AND many thanks to you and Sareca for leading me down the road to hennaland . . .

Dang what'd I miss? I guess I'll be doing some reading tonight.

 

[LaNecia]

Dang what'd I miss? I guess I'll be doing some reading tonight.

Lol, curl up with a good bottle of conditioner and enjoy!!

 

[sweetgal]

I'm afraid that it would dry out my hair

 

[chocolatesis]

Thanks so much for that detailed explanation Neroli. It feels good to understand the way the products you use work, which isn't always the case.


By the way Sareca, your hair and color look georgeous.

 

[BrownBetty]

Okay I am going to henna again tomorrow...

I soo don't look forward to the mess!

 

[BrownBetty]

I did it again and it looks great. It's darker, I used 90% coffee and tea in the mixture and a lot of coconut oil. My hair wasn't as hard, I think the helped. My hair isn't as red. I airdryed overnite and It feels nice. Of course it was a mess to wash out.

 

[sareca]

I did it again and it looks great. It's darker, I used 90% coffee and tea in the mixture and a lot of coconut oil. My hair wasn't as hard, I think the helped. My hair isn't as red. I airdryed overnite and It feels nice. Of course it was a mess to wash out.

Congrats again.

FYI, I just read on hennaforhair that adding pectin to the mix makes it easier to apply and easier to rinse out. I'm planning to give that a shot in a few weeks. My least favorite part is rinsing. Good thing you don't have to get it all in one shot.

 

[Mestiza]

This thread is as great as the use of henna on my hair! I'd give it five more stars, if I could.

 

[sareca]

I have a henna update. I just henna'd. I'm going to indigo next weekend. Anyway, I use pectin to help it rinse easier and OH MY GOODNESS! It was perfect. I've had a harder time rinsing Emergencee out of my hair than henna w/ pectin. I'm in love and I'll never do it another way. It rinsed so cleanly it didn't even strain my towels. Did I mention I'm in ?

Thought you should know.

 

[LaNecia]

I have a henna update. I just henna'd. I'm going to indigo next weekend. Anyway, I use pectin to help it rinse easier and OH MY GOODNESS! It was perfect. I've had a harder time rinsing Emergencee out of my hair than henna w/ pectin. I'm in love and I'll never do it another way. It rinsed so cleanly it didn't even strain my towels. Did I mention I'm in ?

Thought you should know.

I'm so happy for you! I haven't had much luck with my pectin mixes, they are usually too runny. I haven't tried them again in over a month.

Glad it worked for ya, care to share your mixing secret? :scratchch

 

[sareca]

I'm so happy for you! I haven't had much luck with my pectin mixes, they are usually too runny. I haven't tried them again in over a month.

Glad it worked for ya, care to share your mixing secret? :scratchch

Thanks! I'm thrilled. Yours was runny? Really? Pectin is a thickener used for jams and jellies. We used it all the time to can peaches and apricots from our trees back home. Maybe you had bad pectin.

Here's what I did (I got the recipe from hennaforhair, of course):

I boiled 2 cups ACV
Added 1 tsp Pectin
Whisk until dissolved
Allow to boil 1 full minute
Allow to cool for a few seconds
Add to henna (and other dry ingredients)
Mix thoroughly

That's pretty much it. Try pectin again, I'm sure you'll love it.

ETA: whisk the pectin into the water it helps ensure even distribution and it's ok to add more ACV to get the right consistency.

 

[LaNecia]

Thanks Sareca, I'll give it a try on Friday. I'll use your recipe and see if I can get it right this time. =)

 

[Neroli]

Thanks! I'm thrilled. Yours was runny? Really? Pectin is a thickener used for jams and jellies. We used it all the time to can peaches and apricots from our trees back home. Maybe you had bad pectin.

Here's what I did (I got the recipe from hennaforhair, of course):

I boiled 2 cups ACV
Added 1 tsp Pectin
Whisk until dissolved
Allow to boil 1 full minute
Allow to cool for a few seconds
Add to henna (and other dry ingredients)
Mixed thoroughly

That's pretty much it. Try pectin again, I'm sure you'll love it.

Thanks for the recipe Sareca. I have a couple of questions:

1. what kind of pectin did you use (apple, citrus, etc.)?
2. was it a liquid or powder?
3. what brand and where did you purchase?

Enquiring minds want to know! LOL. I am considering using you recipe next time . . .

TIA!

 

[sareca]

Thanks for the recipe Sareca. I have a couple of questions:

1. what kind of pectin did you use (apple, citrus, etc.)?
2. was it a liquid or powder?
3. what brand and where did you purchase?

Enquiring minds want to know! LOL. I am considering using you recipe next time . . .

TIA!

I foolishly used the powdered samples from hennaforhair at a $1 a tsp. Next time I'll use citrus pectin. I'm not sure what I was thinking with the samples. I can't remember the name, but the brand we use at home comes in a bright orange box. But to be honest I don't think it matters. I think any pectin will do. They didn't even tell you want brand or type on hennaforhair.

ETA: Yet another reason I love henna. It's really hard to do it wrong.

 

[LaNecia]

Thanks for the recipe Sareca. I have a couple of questions:

1. what kind of pectin did you use (apple, citrus, etc.)?
2. was it a liquid or powder?
3. what brand and where did you purchase?

Enquiring minds want to know! LOL. I am considering using you recipe next time . . .

TIA!

I found pectin (not sure what kind, will update after I get home) at WalMart over by the Mason Jars in the Kitchen Ware Section, $2.50 or so for a box (powder).

 

[Neroli]

Thanks Sareca. I'll start looking around locally for pectin as I want to henna again in a couple of weeks.

BTW, I just purchase henna from www.fromnaturewithlove.com and I compared it to the little bit of mehandi henna I have left over and it is identical. I am so excited because I paid $6.25 for 1 pound (423 grams) from FNWL whereas mehandi charges $6.50 for 100 grams!

hellooooo. . .

 

[Neroli]

I found pectin (not sure what kind, will update after I get home) at WalMart over by the Mason Jars in the Kitchen Ware Section, $2.50 or so for a box (powder).

Thanks Vixxen, I'll be waiting to hear from you . . .

 

[sareca]

Thanks Sareca. I'll start looking around locally for pectin as I want to henna again in a couple of weeks.

BTW, I just purchase henna from www.fromnaturewithlove.com and I compared it to the little bit of mehandi henna I have left over and it is identical. I am so excited because I paid $6.25 for 1 pound (423 grams) from FNWL whereas mehandi charges $6.50 for 100 grams!

hellooooo. . .

Wow! That's a big ol' price difference. Is it body art quality?

 

[Neroli]

Wow! That's a big ol' price difference. Is it body art quality?

Yep. I was a bit skeptical myself at the price difference and I called FNWL to inquire and they said it can be used for body art or hair. It looks and smells identical to the mehandi henna -- I cannot discern any difference whatsoever. I am going to be the "lab experiment" and use it on myself in a couple of weeks and report back to ya'll.

 

[LaNecia]

Update: This is the pectin that I have

Ingredients: Dextrose, Pectin, Citric Acid.

HTH

 

[sareca]

Update: This is the pectin that I have

Ingredients: Dextrose, Pectin, Citric Acid.

HTH

The citric acid will come in handy! They also sell samples of that on hennaforhair to use instead of fresh lemon juice.

 

[JustKiya]

Ooohh yes!! I henna'd last weekend, and I LOVE how my hair looks - it feels stronger, silkier, and it's DEFINITELY thicker.... I plan on henna'ing each time I retwist my hair so that I can have the darkest red possible.

 

[sareca]

Ooohh yes!! I henna'd last weekend, and I LOVE how my hair looks - it feels stronger, silkier, and it's DEFINITELY thicker.... I plan on henna'ing each time I retwist my hair so that I can have the darkest red possible.

Congrats! Welcome to the darkside (dark red that is).

 

[Neroli]

Ooohh yes!! I henna'd last weekend, and I LOVE how my hair looks - it feels stronger, silkier, and it's DEFINITELY thicker.... I plan on henna'ing each time I retwist my hair so that I can have the darkest red possible.

I just viewed your album and your hair looks so healthy. Did you henna over the bleach/dye? Does it appear that the henna "de-bulked"/loosen up your coils a bit?

I think the twists and red hair really suits your face and skin tone. Very pretty!

 

[Mestiza]

Thanks! I'm thrilled. Yours was runny? Really? Pectin is a thickener used for jams and jellies. We used it all the time to can peaches and apricots from our trees back home. Maybe you had bad pectin.

Here's what I did (I got the recipe from hennaforhair, of course):

I boiled 2 cups ACV
Added 1 tsp Pectin
Whisk until dissolved
Allow to boil 1 full minute
Allow to cool for a few seconds
Add to henna (and other dry ingredients)
Mix thoroughly

That's pretty much it. Try pectin again, I'm sure you'll love it.

ETA: whisk the pectin into the water it helps ensure even distribution and it's ok to add more ACV to get the right consistency.

I've been researching different henna mixes, today. I want to henna my hair again on tomorrow and wanted to try something new. I may have to wait to get some pectin, now b/c your recipe sounds divine. Thanks for sharing it.