My Henna Update

**hennalove** · May 10th, 2019, 12:14 PM

My gosh, I haven't posted in quite some time!

If you were following my 2018 henna experiments, I did a total of 34 henna treatments. My last actual trim was in May 2017 and I've been using S&D ever since. I also gave up my blowdryer/flat iron with the exception of wanting that polished look for an event last December. My hair texture has changed significantly. Any frizz is long history and the henna has straightened my hair.

Fast forward to now: My hair has gained in length. It now brushes the seat when I sit! I've done 6 henna/henndigo and 2 cassia thus far. I was actually pondering switching from henna to cassia to let my greys shine though but didn't like the look so am back to 2 step henna/indigo. I discovered shea butter that my hair simply loves! I gave up wet bunning in favour of letting my hair dry in a pony tail. If I twist the pony tail, I get a bit of texture but still no curls. I lightly oil my hair daily and a bit heavier on wash days using a homemade hair growth oil blend. I use a coconut milk mask once a week.

My hair care musts are: henna, indigo, oils including shea butter, aloe vera powder, Shea Moisture leave-in conditioner (strengthen & restore), coconut milk, wood bristle brush, hair sticks

**_fred_** · May 11th, 2019, 12:32 AM

I'm so glad that's working for you, congrats!

And now I'm gonna try shea butter...

**JennGalt** · May 14th, 2019, 01:05 PM

Are you just applying the henna and indigo to your roots now? How many of the 34 treatments were full head applications?

**hennalove** · June 6th, 2019, 03:38 PM

I always do full head henna treatments. It's the same amount of work as roots only and my hair loves henna so I figure full head treatments is the way to go.

**Genne** · June 7th, 2019, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by hennalove

I always do full head henna treatments. It's the same amount of work as roots only and my hair loves henna so I figure full head treatments is the way to go.

I'm really glad to read this. I'm a new member here after starting Henna just 2 weeks ago. I used Light Mountain Home henna which had no other ingredients. My hair, just loved it and I plan to follow up on it. I wanted to do it more than every six weeks and it sounds like you had a rapid rate of treating your hair. How often did you do so and do you think two weeks is too soon for my second treatment?

I was using John Freida conditioner and there was no fade in the hair although I just recently used a shampoo/conditioner which turned out to contain silicones and I hope those wash out before I do my next henna. My mother says my hair look "more natural now than my own color," so that is really nice. My father, literally hasn't noticed!! Or at least he hasn't said anything.

Henna hair has rejuvenated my like and appreciation for my hair and totally changed my perception of it.

Thank you,
Jen

**hennalove** · June 7th, 2019, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Genne

I'm really glad to read this. I'm a new member here after starting Henna just 2 weeks ago. I used Light Mountain Home henna which had no other ingredients. My hair, just loved it and I plan to follow up on it. I wanted to do it more than every six weeks and it sounds like you had a rapid rate of treating your hair. How often did you do so and do you think two weeks is too soon for my second treatment?

I was using John Freida conditioner and there was no fade in the hair although I just recently used a shampoo/conditioner which turned out to contain silicones and I hope those wash out before I do my next henna. My mother says my hair look "more natural now than my own color," so that is really nice. My father, literally hasn't noticed!! Or at least he hasn't said anything.

Henna hair has rejuvenated my like and appreciation for my hair and totally changed my perception of it.

Thank you,
Jen

It sounds like you have had a positive experience with henna

Henna can technically be used daily if you really wanted to although I think it is best to wait a few days until the colour settles. Henna will always darken and continue to darken. With enough layers you can get a cherry cola/burgundy colour. There's a long thread on achieving this colour using only henna or adding in indigo and some even used deposit only dyes with the henna. For that reason, many using henna will switch to roots only once they have achieved the desired colour.

From Jan through April of 2018, I did henna treatments weekly then went to biweekly until November when I went back to weekly and only 1 in December. I've done 7 henna/indigo and 4 cassia treatments this year but plan to do weekly henna for at least June and September. I always use aloe vera powder in my mixes as it prevents any drying effects from henna/indigo leaving my hair nicely conditioned without the need for extra conditioner. I do like the Shea Moisture leave-in conditioner though.

**Genne** · June 7th, 2019, 05:55 PM

Thank you,
I'll likely have to wait a full month due to other activities. It has been 12 days now and until I used this different shampoo the other day, it has had the best texture I've ever noticed. The color darkened nicely within the first7-8 days and I definitely like the cherry-cola look.

I'm hooked, for now, for sure!

Jen