Alternatives to Henna?

[Amber]

I read on LHC a while ago that there were alternatives to Henna, that made your hair shiny but were colourless.

Can anyone name these for me?

Also, do they work the same way as Henna does with chemical dyes? (I've always been told that Henna and chemical dyes don't mix.)

[iris]

That would be cassia you're thinking of. There are many types of cassia (species or subspecies or whatever those are called), but other than that I don't know of other types of plants that are supposed to give the conditioning effect of henna without the colour. Maybe someone else will come along who does.

You might want to know that for most people, henna works better to give shine than cassia. Cassia never did much for me, while henna gives me crazy shine, and I've heard other people say the same thing. Then again, cassia does work well for some people, and there's no harm in trying.

Cassia is often sold as 'neutral henna'. Check the ingredients though, sometimes other stuff is mixed in.

As for combining with synthetic dyes - it seems enough evidence has been building up to say that it's not henna itself that can react disastrously with synthetic dyes - it's the metallic salts that are sometimes added to henna (especially henna sold for use on hair rather than skin - the additives are added to change the colour, or to make it take better). These additives should be specified in the ingredient list, but often they're not.

I don't think it's common for manufacturers to add metallic salts to cassia (wouldn't make sense). However, stuff sold as 'neutral henna' often contains a little bit of actual henna, and if they scoop this from a bag of henna with additives, you may end up with unwanted stuff anyway, I guess. You can always do a strand test to make sure that you don't get a reaction.

Iris

[Amber]

Thanks, Iris. :flower:

So if Cassia is colourless and it doesn't make your hair shiney, then why do people use it?

& how does it actually work? Does it coat the hair on the outside, or penetrate inside like a dye?

[Shermie Girl]

I have read that cassia, like henna takes repeated applications to see maximum benefits like shine, strengthening and conditioning.
It took three or four applications for me to really get a wow from my henna. Now, I get wonderful shine and stronger, smoother hair. Needless to say, I love it. :whoohoo:

I henna over chemical colour. I have had no adverse reactions. My hair is in the best condition it has been in a looong time.
If you decide to try cassia, I advise that you buy it from a reputable vendor who will only sell you the best pure cassia without any nasty ingredients that could wreak havoc on your hair. And of course, save the hair from your brush to do the oh so very crucial strand tests!
I buy my henna(they sell cassia, too) from Catherine at Mehandi.com. There is a sister website, Hennaforhair.com, too. Tons of information. HTH. :grinhappy:

[Amber]

Thanks Shermie !

[Amber]

Thanks Shermie Girl!

[Shermie Girl]

You're welcome, Amber. Glad to help. :grinhappy: