Re: Question Related to Technical Stuff Below...

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Henna For Hair ~ Discussion Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Alison on April 17, 2004 at 22:30:19:

In reply to: Question Related to Technical Stuff Below... posted by Jane on April 17, 2004 at 21:51:20:

: Does anyone know exactly what is going on chemically when henna and
: chemical dyes mix that can cause the reported greens, stale blacks,
: and other yicky colors? I have henna'ed over chemically treated
hair
: WITHOUT this effect, but I would like to understand why this did
not
: happen for me but has happened for others.
:
: The chemical dyes used in my hair were semi-permanent, containing
: hydrogen peroxide (and other yicky stuff), but not ammonia. I am
: wondering if maybe the ammonia reacts with the Lawsone molecule
that
: is bound to the keratin, but hydrogen peroxide and Lawsone do not
: react. If there is no chemical reaction between the deposited
: chemical hair color and the Lawsone molecule bound to the keratin,
: shouldn't the color of the hair be the combination of the pigment
in
: the hair, the red/orange Lawsone and the deposited chemical color?
: Is there an ingredient in chemical dyes (such a ammonia) that is
: known to react in ugly ways with Lawsone? Or, are the ugly colors
: due to reactions between chemical dyes and other dyes that call
: themselves henna but are not. Perhaps true henna and chemical dyes
: are not such a bad mix...
:
: Catherine, have you done any experiments on this? I am trying hard
: to get my hair darker and would have loved to stick to plant dyes,
: including henna, but they just weren't darkening my hair enough, so
I
: had to go back to semi-permanent hair dyes in order to get my hair
to
: be more uniform. But, I am still hoping once I get a more even
color
: with my roots I can go back to a mix of henna, senna, and black
: walnut. I have always done strand tests and never seen the
reported
: greens and blacks, but of course, I am still terrified I'll end up
: with hair resembling Medusa should I return to natural dyes. (Of
: course, Medusa does destroy in order to create balance--maybe there
: is some symbolism here. Still, I don't want green hair.) Any
: information appreciated. Thanks.
:
: Jane

I really think that this comes from not using good, body art henna.
Someone used henna from a box--which could be dilluted with all sorts
of things--not knowing any better, and then the chemical dyes reacted
with THAT. I just bleached highlights into my hair (those are now
copper over auburn) and I've got a year's worth of henna in this
hair. No green, no black, no scary problems. The highlighting kit
had peroxide and a little ammonia in it. On the other hand, I know
that ammonia can be (sparingly!) used on henna on the palms and soles
to blacken it and can see the logic that it would blacken henna on
hair the same way.

Follow Ups

Post Followup

Name:
E-Mail:
Subject:
: : Does anyone know exactly what is going on chemically when henna and : : chemical dyes mix that can cause the reported greens, stale blacks, : : and other yicky colors? I have henna'ed over chemically treated : hair : : WITHOUT this effect, but I would like to understand why this did : not : : happen for me but has happened for others. : : : : The chemical dyes used in my hair were semi-permanent, containing : : hydrogen peroxide (and other yicky stuff), but not ammonia. I am : : wondering if maybe the ammonia reacts with the Lawsone molecule : that : : is bound to the keratin, but hydrogen peroxide and Lawsone do not : : react. If there is no chemical reaction between the deposited : : chemical hair color and the Lawsone molecule bound to the keratin, : : shouldn't the color of the hair be the combination of the pigment : in : : the hair, the red/orange Lawsone and the deposited chemical color? : : Is there an ingredient in chemical dyes (such a ammonia) that is : : known to react in ugly ways with Lawsone? Or, are the ugly colors : : due to reactions between chemical dyes and other dyes that call : : themselves henna but are not. Perhaps true henna and chemical dyes : : are not such a bad mix... : : : : Catherine, have you done any experiments on this? I am trying hard : : to get my hair darker and would have loved to stick to plant dyes, : : including henna, but they just weren't darkening my hair enough, so : I : : had to go back to semi-permanent hair dyes in order to get my hair : to : : be more uniform. But, I am still hoping once I get a more even : color : : with my roots I can go back to a mix of henna, senna, and black : : walnut. I have always done strand tests and never seen the : reported : : greens and blacks, but of course, I am still terrified I'll end up : : with hair resembling Medusa should I return to natural dyes. (Of : : course, Medusa does destroy in order to create balance--maybe there : : is some symbolism here. Still, I don't want green hair.) Any : : information appreciated. Thanks. : : : : Jane : : I really think that this comes from not using good, body art henna. : Someone used henna from a box--which could be dilluted with all sorts : of things--not knowing any better, and then the chemical dyes reacted : with THAT. I just bleached highlights into my hair (those are now : copper over auburn) and I've got a year's worth of henna in this : hair. No green, no black, no scary problems. The highlighting kit : had peroxide and a little ammonia in it. On the other hand, I know : that ammonia can be (sparingly!) used on henna on the palms and soles : to blacken it and can see the logic that it would blacken henna on : hair the same way.
Optional link URL:
Link title:
Optional image URL: