Honey thread - from TBB and bits from old LHC

[firebird]

It's been really interesting reading this thread, thanks so much ktani for compiling all the info so well!

I have dark (dishwater?) blonde hair growing out lighter blonde dye - currently at 24 inches with just less than half the new growth. I've been experimenting with honey to try and lighten the new growth, as I ideally want it lighter but don't want to use chemical dyes. Honey has definitely lightened it. I usually leave it on for 3-4 hours and use a mixture of about 70% honey to 30% VO5 conditioner (the passionfruit one).

My hair tends towards greasy and I don't get any crunchiness/obvious residue from the honey, it just feels really soft and well conditioned. I use cheapo White Rain shampoo to rinse out the honey. I don't use conditioner as it makes my hair lank and weighed down (I've tried many and can't seem to find one light enough), but honey conditions it really well. I took a picture of my hair last week and will do another after more honey, hopefully there will be a demonstrable difference and I will try to post it here!

[ktani]

firebird

Thank you for the kind words and you are most welcome - I am glad that you have found the information useful.

Thank you as well for posting your results with your recipe and details.

I am so pleased to read that you have had only positive results with both lightening and good hair condition, and no tweaks necessary to make the experience as good as it could be.

[ktani]

This is good to know - no dryness or damage reported from cinnamon use.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...0&postcount=23

[DolphinPrincess]

Ok, I went against my better judgement and added in cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice (its the only thing I had that contained nutmeg) anyway. My mix has been on for about 40 minutes and no irritation yet, but I am keeping an eye on it. I'll post my exact mix when I post pics. I'll also post the exact tomato recipe I used then as well. Thanks so much for all the helpful info, ktani!

I also have to add that the coconut cream treatment is the first thing I've put on my hair that I didn't get drippies with. That includes henna and indigo.

[ktani]

DolphinPrincess

That sounds good to me - however, the honey in the recipe needs to be diluted enough to continue to produce peroxide - I am glad that you have no drippies - just make sure that you also have enough moisture.

You can spray on extra water if need be, under the plastic (remove the plastic and recover), if you are unsure.

[ktani]

Both cassia and cinnamon oils can be sensitising - Scroll down to "Cassia - in industry"
http://books.google.ca/books?id=KZa8...Ot2tkeW4&hl=en

[ktani]

An article on skin contact and spices - nutmeg can be problematic See "Delayed allergy to spices".
http://www.mf.uni-lj.si/acta-apa/act.../1-clanek.html

nutmeg oil - I do not recommend
http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/es1009111.html

I think that it comes down to - patch testing first for allergies and skin sensitivity and not using too much of a spice in a honey lightening recipe too often.

IMO, using small or reasonable amounts of a spice should be fine.

[Henna Sooq]

amazing ktani you are on a roll!!

[ktani]

Henna Sooq

Thank you.

IMO, it keeps coming back to what got the Honey threads started - the natural peroxide content in plants and foods.

It appears that naturally, with the other elements of the plant or food in place, peroxide is not damaging to skin or hair - from all reports to date.

I believe that is because it is still much less strong than the peroxide you can buy and that other constituents in the plant or food may buffer or counteract peroxide's more harmful qualities, as is the case with honey.

From the Honey Article
"Honey actually reduces the harmful effects of the peroxide it generates by subverting oxygen free radicals (Reference 1).

1. Peter Charles Molan: (2001) Hydrogen peroxide activity. Honey as a topical antibacterial agent for treatment of infected wounds.
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/...cal-agent.html"

More from the Honey Article can be found here
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...4&postcount=31

[ktani]

Antioxident activity of Cassia "cinnamon"
This cassia shows promise as a dietary supplement
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12916067

but it should not be over consumed.

"European health agencies have warned against consuming high amounts of cassia, ... toxic component called coumarin.[3]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia