Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: henna + hair extensions= ok?

  1. #1
    God/dess
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Your imagination
    Posts
    2,875
    Thanks
    19
    Thanked 174 Times in 119 Posts

    Default henna + hair extensions= ok?

    basically, i'd like to get my hair hennaed in the near future. i just want to know if hennaed hair can have keratin-bond extensions (great lengths and suchlike) or the cheaper glue-bond extensions put into it without causing damage to the hair (aside from any risks that come with just attaching extensions to one's own hair). if anyone knows anything about that particular hair combination, or where i could ask, that would be super awesome. i miss the way my hair looked with henna on, but i also want extensions for body and a bit more length.

  2. #2
    Senior Member shwankie's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    125
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: henna + hair extensions= ok?

    *Cracks knuckles* this is my area of specialty, as I am a henna artist for my "normal" job. I am unsure about the keratin bonds used for extensions, but henna and the actual hair used for extensions don't work well together. Glue, if it takes color at all (some glues are used specifically to make resist pastes for negative-space mehndi designs, so it may not), won't likely dye the same color as your hair and will bleed off either more quickly or not at all (depends on the glue), leaving you with "stripes." All hair extensions have been bleached and/or dyed, and unless you can absolutely verify that the dye used contained no metallic salts, you risk some really nasty results (at best serious discoloration you cannot remove, and at worst hair literally breaking off). Also, henna works differently on different types of hair and different ethicities. Every person's hair will get a different color from henna, which means your hair and your extensions will likely be a different color.

    If you still REALLY, REALLY want to do henna and not artificial dye, I'd recommend a strand test. Cut a FULL lock of hair (make sure to get your hair and the extension in one strand, and use enough hair to dye and see the color--maybe 1/4 inch thick lock). Rubber band the hair so it stays in one lock, and then henna it. The results can tell you how safe it is to use on these extensions, etc.

  3. #3
    God/dess
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Your imagination
    Posts
    2,875
    Thanks
    19
    Thanked 174 Times in 119 Posts

    Default Re: henna + hair extensions= ok?

    dammit, that sucks, but it's good to know. so basically you're saying i'll risk frying my hair if i get it hennaed and then two weeks later say, have extensions put in? i just want to be clear on the issue here before i make a decision about what to do.

  4. #4
    Senior Member shwankie's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    125
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: henna + hair extensions= ok?

    How long it's been between henna'ings is pretty much irrelavent, unless the henna has had time to completely, totally fade (this can take as much as a year and a half, depending on your hair and how many times you've henna'd). Henna is a permanent dye, and will react with metals until it's grown out or worn out of your hair over much time. A good example of this is that even after my henna color was gone, I couldn't use uncoated barretts of certain types, or it would leave a greenish-black stain on my hair. So, waiting two weeks after henna'ing won't negate the possibility of chemical reactions.

    If you henna your hair, and have extensions put in, your extensions are extremely unlikely to be the same color as your henna'd hair unless you intend on henna'ing the extensions (covered in my above post). Eventually, even if you do manage to get matching henna-colored (i.e, the correct henna-red done in a commercial dye color) extensions to match your hair, you'll need to put henna on your hair again to cover new root growth and re-dye the fading color in your natural hair. This will mean the henna will likely get onto your extensions (henna, as I am sure you know since you've said you've done it before, is a messy process). Again, see above post for the possible problems with that.

    I've henna'd my hair in the past, I've henna'd other people's hair in the past, and I know many women who henna their hair regularly (I am the top henna artist in my state, and spend a good deal of my time in middle eastern communities where using henna on hair is a standard practice). Generally, mixing henna with any other chemical process spells badness. There are exceptions, but unless you're extremely knowledgeable about the chemicals and processes of both the commercial product and henna, I would never advise combining the two. Most hairstylists don't deal with henna, so be wary of their advice unless they can prove very good knowledge in this area. Hair can come out green, or break/"melt" off from some of the chemical reactions. I am not trying to be an alarmist, it's simply a known function of certain metalic salts and other chemicals with henna. Henna itself goes through chemical reactions in order to produce it's dye color.

    If you really want red hair and extensions, I'd suggest having the salon do it for you with commercial dye. If you're looking just for the conditioning properties of henna, there are probably better ways to get it in this case than actual henna. PM me for more info on that, if it's what you're going for.

  5. #5
    Featured Member Veronika's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Reno, NV
    Posts
    955
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts

    Default Re: henna + hair extensions= ok?

    From personal experience I would shy away from hennaing my hair in general unless you never plan on doing any other process to it for a LONG time.

    As far as extensions go, you are going to have it colored first and then the extensions are going to be ordered or found to match and applied. The problems will come with touching up your roots later on AFTER the extensions are in your hair (providing the bond even stays in.... Great Lengths and similar methods have a chemical process applied to the hair prior to application to make the bond stick better). Actually, the more I think on it, I think bonding and fusion methods are just going to be bad with henna all around.

    If you are looking for a conditioning colour treatment you might want to look into demi-permanents like Redken Shades EQ. OR you you could use ring or tube methods of extensions if you can find anyone in your area who can do them AND your hair is thick enough to cover them.

    You might want to ask the kind ladies at this forum for advice as well http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/f...ics.asp?FID=34 (if it hits the first page, scroll down for extensions)
    Currently dancing at the Men's Club of Reno, NV
    under the name of Veronica! I am a 2007 calendar girl for MCR, so message me if you want a calendar!

  6. #6
    Senior Member shesupsidedown's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    177
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: henna + hair extensions= ok?

    I have been dying my hair with henna for years and everything they say is true.
    I am in the process of letting it fade so I can eventually dye my hair again.
    On one hand henna is nice, its cheap, can be done at home, its natural, conditions the hair....but on the other hand, you are stuck with the color you get unless you throw some other natural substances in for slight variations....also the brand of henna you use can change the result.

    I would say unless you are willing to commit for a loooonnnng time to one shade of red, dont do it.
    I have often thought that if a rational Fascist dictatorship were to exist, then it would choose the American system.
    -Noam Chomsky

  7. #7
    God/dess
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Your imagination
    Posts
    2,875
    Thanks
    19
    Thanked 174 Times in 119 Posts

    Default Re: henna + hair extensions= ok?

    i thought about it since these posts, and while i have no problem with the color henna will give me, as far as dancing is concerned, i want extensions for body to fill out my extremely thin hair. so at least while i'm doing this, it is probably best to put the henna aside and just go get some extensions. i really have to thank you guys for prompt and informative responses, especially veronika for the link to those hair forums. you probably saved my freakin hair from being melted horribly, heh.

Similar Threads

  1. Bleached out hair + hair extensions
    By Paris_doll in forum Body Business
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 01-07-2012, 02:30 PM
  2. Henna for my hair :)
    By FiendishGyrator in forum Body Business
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-01-2011, 06:29 PM
  3. Henna on previously color treated hair?
    By LadyLuck in forum Body Business
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-16-2008, 11:38 AM
  4. Dying hair with henna
    By PrincessShea in forum Body Business
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 12-27-2007, 01:29 AM
  5. Henna for Coloring Hair
    By honeycake in forum Body Business
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 06-03-2007, 12:08 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •