I Lightened my Too-Dark Henna with Sun-In (Yes, really.) VERY pic heavy!!

**Nightshade** · January 26th, 2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by lora410

HOLY COW!!!! This is good news for everyone who went t dark

That was the hope!

Originally Posted by lapushka

Amazing! I didn't think sun-in would be strong enough, but apparently it is enough to remove a few shades. The henna must really react with it! Great job!

I was surprised as well. I'm not sure what the upper limit is without lots of damage, but I went several shades lighter with no ill results!

Originally Posted by kdaniels8811

Niteshade - your hair is lovely! And thank you for taking the time and posting your results. A huge wealth of information is on these boards. I love your hair - envious! smile...

Thank you so much

And double thank you for using envious rather than jealous

Originally Posted by ktani

Your hair looks fantastic.

If you want to help prevent hair damage, should you try this again, I suggest a light coconut oiling, followed by a light argan oiling, used as a pre treatment.

Thank you for the info

I may have to try that. I have coconut oil, but no argan on hand.

Originally Posted by Aisha25

What is metallic salt??

It's a catch-all term for several compounds that are in some "henna hair dyes" to push the color outside the range normally possible with henna. You can read more about them here.

Originally Posted by Michou

I've loved your hair from the first time I saw your signature photo, I've never thought of your ends as being too dark. That said, congratulations on the results, the lighter red suits your skin beautifully!

Thank you

It's been a long struggle for accepting them and then I just said to hell with it

And the copper does suit my skin much better, I'm warmed toned, so the cool darker henna just made me look ill.

**jojo** · January 26th, 2009, 01:58 PM

I love your result, your hair actually looks more silky now (is that possible) and much more equal.

**ktani** · January 26th, 2009, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Aisha25

What is metallic salt??

Do you mean metallic salt hair dyes?

"Metallic salt dyes .... with us for a long time. The old paint and brush on hair dyes for gray hair used in the 1800s were metallic salt dyes. The basic ingredients .... not actually changed that much. Metallic salt dyes .... almost always contained a lead compound, but modern dyes contain a variety of other metals depending on the shade of color. When the metallic salt compound is applied to the hair the metal salts undergo a chemical reaction to deposit a colored film on the hair fiber surface. ...."
http://www.keratin.com/ai/ai020.shtml

**Aisha25** · January 26th, 2009, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by ktani

Do you mean metallic salt hair dyes?

"Metallic salt dyes .... with us for a long time. The old paint and brush on hair dyes for gray hair used in the 1800s were metallic salt dyes. The basic ingredients .... not actually changed that much. Metallic salt dyes .... almost always contained a lead compound, but modern dyes contain a variety of other metals depending on the shade of color. When the metallic salt compound is applied to the hair the metal salts undergo a chemical reaction to deposit a colored film on the hair fiber surface. ...."
http://www.keratin.com/ai/ai020.shtml

I never knew things like hair dyes and hennas can have metal in them. sounds so harsh to put these onto the hairs

**granitbaby** · January 26th, 2009, 02:08 PM

Wow, you really got great results.

I was thinking about using Sun In in 2007 when I got tired of my dark red length, but didn't try it. I ended up cutting and bleaching, but if I had knew about this things would have been different.

Your hair was beautiful before and it is even more beautiful (if possible) now

**wintersun99** · January 26th, 2009, 02:14 PM

Metallic compounds was maybe a better "catch" term... I don't know... maybe this will help. It basically has something to do with ingredients used in what is known as "compound Henna" or some chemical hair dye (usually the direct deposit dyes, Feria for example)

Cosmetic hair compositions

**dearladydisdain** · January 26th, 2009, 02:19 PM

Very inspiring and interesting! I'm starting to hate how dark the henna on my length has gotten and I've been thinking about trying different lightening methods.

**Unofficial_Rose** · January 26th, 2009, 02:19 PM

Your hair was beautiful before, but is still just as beautiful.

FWIW, I think the coppery shade is more natural-looking. Great result, and most encouraging for those of us who've gone too dark with henna. (there are quite a few, I think). Also it's nice to go a bit lighter in time for Spring in a few weeks.

**NurseMama** · January 26th, 2009, 02:23 PM

Wow! I am so happy for you Nightshade! I have been thinking about trying something similar with a peroxide/condish mixture to lighten my too dark henna a bit more. I had a lot of success lightening it that way when I first henna'ed, but it is still too dark. I have been scared to try again since the henna has fully oxidized now, but if you can get yours to lighten than I am certain that I could do something with mine! Woot! Methinks that it is time to start strand testing...

**pariate** · January 26th, 2009, 02:30 PM

I love that copper colour Nightshade. I've always admired hair that colour and I'm a nut for ginger men! Well done you, I'm glad you're so much happier with the colour now.