Henna, Indigo & Relaxers. Who? What? When? Why?...HELP!

[NJoy]

I plan to relax my ng on august 7th at 13 weeks post. I also want to use indigo to darken my hair and cover a few grays in the front. Um...help.

Should I do the henna and indigo now and then relax on the 13th? Should I wait until after? How much time in between? And is it a good idea to use henna and indigo on relaxed hair?

Somebody please he'p a sista out. erplexed

And if you can share pics and experiences, I would GREATLY appreciated it (shamelessly sly request for hair porn ).

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Yes, I use it. Make sure it is Body Art Quality (BAQ) Henna. The One I use is from Mehandi.com (for African American and Chemically Treated Relaxed Hair).

I just relaxed almost 2 weeks ago. I should have done it prior to relaxing, but I didn't. So, I will do it within the next 2 weeks.

For me, it really hasn't mattered before/after (like a Semi-Permanent Rinse would) and I've never had a problem with the Color fading, washing away etc..after relaxing. It stays in place so no worries there. It's not going to fade.

I do the 2 step process, so I apply the Henna First to freshly moisturized co-washed hair. Apply the Henna wrap tightly in Saran Wrap. Allow to sit 2-3 Hours. Rinse out with either Suave Tropical Coconut or VO5 Moisture Milks.

Then I mix my Indigo with warm water and Salt. Apply, Allow to sit at least 1-2 Hours wrapped also in Saran Wrap. Co-Wash Out and proceed to DC and Finish.

It has worked perfectly every single time for over a year.

HTHs

 

[NJoy]

Yes, I use it. Make sure it is Body Art Quality (BAQ) Henna. The One I use is from Mehandi.com (for African American and Chemically Treated Relaxed Hair).

I just relaxed almost 2 weeks ago. I should have done it prior to relaxing, but I didn't. So, I will do it within the next 2 weeks.

For me, it really hasn't mattered before/after (like a Semi-Permanent Rinse would) and I've never had a problem with the Color fading, washing away etc..after relaxing. It stays in place so no worries there. It's not going to fade.

I do the 2 step process, so I apply the Henna First to freshly moisturized co-washed hair. Apply the Henna wrap tightly in Saran Wrap. Allow to sit 2-3 Hours. Rinse out with either Suave Tropical Coconut or VO5 Moisture Milks.

Then I mix my Indigo with warm water and Salt. Apply, Allow to sit at least 1-2 Hours wrapped also in Saran Wrap. Co-Wash Out and proceed to DC and Finish.

It has worked perfectly every single time for over a year.

HTHs

Thanks for the great info! When I wrap it with Saran, can I speek up the process by adding heat? Also, will the henna or indigo drip from beneath the wrap? Is it messy? Will the indigo stain my skin at the airline or just color the hair?

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Thanks for the great info! When I wrap it with Saran, can I speek up the process by adding heat? Also, will the henna or indigo drip from beneath the wrap? Is it messy? Will the indigo stain my skin at the airline or just color the hair?

You mix both to a Yogurt Consistency and apply. I've never used heat. *Check Achived Threads*

It is usually not 'messy'. It has never dripped if the consistency is right. I wrap the saran wrap right to the hairline. Uncover ears. (No stain).

Works perfectly every time. Check Menhandi.com they have a nice tutuorial with steps too.

 

[Pompous Blue]

Thanks for the great info! When I wrap it with Saran, can I speek up the process by adding heat? Also, will the henna or indigo drip from beneath the wrap? Is it messy? Will the indigo stain my skin at the airline or just color the hair?

I'm natural. Yes, you can speed up the process. I steam for 1 hour with nothing on my head but the henna treatment. Same as having it on your hair w/the saran wrap for 4 hrs.

Same with the indigo. Apply it and sit under the steamer for 1 hr.

BTW I've never used a dryer (heat) to speed up the process.

And IA w/IDareT'sHair, the consistency of your mix will determine if it will drip or not. I sit under the steamer and never get any drips.

HTH

 

[VictoriousBrownFlower]

I agree. You should do it before your relax since you arent relaxing anytime soon. It should have enough time to develop (it takes a couple of days for the true color to develop). The relaxer wont effect the color and it is def safe to use before you relax since its all natural.

I would say since its your first time using each the best pay off will come from doing a two step process instead of a 50/50 mix. You dont need heat though. You should do fine with doing the henna treatment first. Letting it sit for at least a few hrs (I do it overnight) and then doing the indigo treatment after you wash out the henna on soaking wet hair. The only advise I would give you is do the indigo on wet hair not damp or dry. I made the mistake of doing it on damp har and it just made a mess(it didnt stick to the hair). Always use rubber gloves and either saran or a plastic cap should work fine.

I'm relaxed and I've never had a prob with henna and indigo. After the first treatment you can do a 50/50 mix to maintain the color. The 50/50 mix is much easier than the two step process because indigo can be really messy to apply.

Relaxed hair after henna

Relaxed hair after indigo

 

[NJoy]

Thanks for the info, ladies! And the visual, BronxJazzy! I went to Mehandi.com and the information there is great. But, uh...when I went to purchase, I was a little shocked by the $20 shipping fee. What the?! $20?!! Is that right? And, I was thinking I need about 400g of each. Does that sound right?

Oh, and I do have a steamer, btw. 1 hr is like 4 hrs, huh? Nice!

 

[HairLiberty]

Hi NJoy!

Mehandi.com can get pricey, which is why I switched to Butters-N-Bars for my henna...www.butters-n-bars.com. I buy "Henna from Yemen" and it is the same packaging either way.

I think you should buy 500g to be safe. I'm not sure how thick your (beautiful) hair is, but I think you will run out if you only buy 400g.

Also, I don't think it's a big deal if you relax before or after, but I've read that the relaxer may not take as well on freshly henna'd hair. You might end up with more of a texlax, but I really don't know.

Good luck!

 

[NJoy]

Me again. So, the Butter n Bars site has an alma bundle with henna, saying that it makes a strengthening treatment. So, my new question is, is it recommended to add alma to henna for a strengthening effect or does the henna strengthen by default. This before the indigo, I presume.

Waiting for feedback with credit card in hand.

 

[HairLiberty]

Lol, credit card in hand. Henna will give you plenty of strengthening. Plus, Amla is known to enhance or increase curls so you probably don't want to bother with that if you're getting a relaxer soon.

 

[NJoy]

Thanks, ladies. I just put in my order for 500g each of henna and indigo at BnB. And with free shipping and the 15% discount, I was able to get that and about $40 worth of my fave ayurvedic oils for what it would've cost me to ship from Mehandi. Sweeeeet! Now I can go to bed. Thanks again.

Oh, and the tuturial with pics at Mehandi is excellent! I would've never guessed that it goes on thick like a mud pack. I'm so excited! Uh, and tired. G'night! zzzzzzz....

Oh, and HairLiberty, thanks for the hair compliment. Didn't mean to overlook your kindness. mwah!

 

[grow]

i'm so glad you started this thread NJoy!
that's ma girl!
these are important questions and i just love the responses comng in!
thanks ladies!

by the way, does anybody have any idea if it's ok to switch to this process for a relaxed head that has always had a color rinse in up until now?

IF it's safe, how long should one wait between the processes to make the switch?

ya see, NJoy.....now you and our sistas on here got me to thinking about trying this, too!

 

[IDareT'sHair]

i'm so glad you started this thread NJoy!
that's ma girl!
these are important questions and i just love the responses comng in!
thanks ladies!

by the way, does anybody have any idea if it's ok to switch to this process for a relaxed head that has always had a color rinse in up until now?

IF it's safe, how long should one wait between the processes to make the switch?

ya see, NJoy.....now you and our sistas on here got me to thinking about trying this, too!

Yes I did. No Problems.

For Me, it was a "Natural" & Healthy Alternative to bottled color. It works just fine. And since you are relaxed and using BAQ (Body Art Quality) You should be okay.

 

[grow]

Yes I did. No Problems.

For Me, it was a "Natural" & Healthy Alternative to bottled color. It works just fine. And since you are relaxed and using BAQ (Body Art Quality) You should be okay.

Thank you IDareT'sHair!

so if i understand correctly, i need to get some that is the type used for body art....

so since i'm perming in september, (mid month), and there is still the black rinse in my hair, when is it going to be "safe" to try this method?

i really feel i need to do this though....i already use amla, brahmi, shikakai, maka, fenugreek and all the other Ayurveda products and feel the difference natural products make on our hair.

NJoy, i'm so glad you got your other Ayurvedic oils and all!
oh, and that once you did that, you could then "sleep well", lol!
(i so know how that iscannot sleep until i get my order complete, lol!)

 

[HairLiberty]

@grow & @NJoy: Me too! I can't sleep unless what I want is on the way!! I ordered a Rachel Roy dress last night before I went to sleep, haha.

You can use body art quality henna at any time. The key is that it's body art quality, which means it is pure henna (no PPD) and won't react with the black rinse or any other treatment. I feel like I'm giving Butters-N-Bars a lot of promo, but I haven't found any other place that I trust for good quality at a good price.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Thank you IDareT'sHair!

so if i understand correctly, i need to get some that is the type used for body art....

so since i'm perming in september, (mid month), and there is still the black rinse in my hair, when is it going to be "safe" to try this method?

Yep I went straight from 'bottled' color i.e. Clairol's Beautiful Browns Collection And/Or Jazzings to Henna/Indigo and didn't miss a beat.

If you are "Relaxed" Yes, you need to use Body Art Quality Most Definitely!

Since Henna/Indigo are plants/natural, I felt my hair was safe. Just make sure you moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

That's where My initial moisturizing co-wash and rinse out with either VO5 or Suave has yeilded soft hair each and every time (no dryness).

 

[NJoy]

You ladies have been SO helpful. I can't WAIT to receive my package. I notice on the site it warns that it may take up to a week to process and yet I've been expecting it to arrive since yesterday. I can't wait to have lucious, black hair. My daughter just got a black rinse and her hair looks so much healthier. I'm excited imagining mine looking rich, thick and healthy. Yay!! Now where IS that delivery truck?