Ever since the tread waaaaaaaay back about turning henna liquid into a gel, I've been wondering if there is another product that would work (remember the little crystal thingys that turn to a gel when mixed with water? I think it's the same stuff that's used in some kitty litters) I just don't like the idea of putting that on my hair...

Do you think gelatin would work and if so, how would it be done?

Aww common ;)

I KNOW there are many hair treatment experimenters out there...or maybe some cooks? I've never used gelatin in my life, so I don't know the best way to use it.

My thinking is that I can soak the henna in boiling water to extact the color, strain the plant particles from the liquid...but then do you think adding gelatin would make it gel?

Of course I don't want it to turn to jello, but just gel enough to be able to apply it to my hair easily, sort of the consistency of sour cream.

Any ideas?

TIA

I think Fox was also interested in trying this so maybe she'll be able to help. I believe you can find instructions for making a henna 'gel' on Britta's XXL long hair site (sorry, don't have the link for you right now).

I really don't know for sure but it seems to me that process might extract mostly the color from the henna rather than the conditioning-plant protein properties. Not sure why I think that. Possibly because you'd essentially be making an infusion but leaving the "base" powdered henna leaves behind. Ok, I really don't know and I'm just thinking out load!

I know nothing about henna, however, I do have experience with "thickeners." My son is allergic to eggs and I use a plant-based gelatin for spiritual reasons

You may find agar agar at a natural foods store, it is a kelp product so I imagine it would be alright for hair. It must be heated to work and dissolved in some liquid (usually water). There is also emes gelatin, also made from kelp and guar gum and is powdered and easier to work with. I only know of one online source and that is weimarket.com, but the site is still under construction and you must order by phone.

I have no idea how this will work with henna, but it is a concentrated gel that would not "water down" the henna solution. Arrowroot is also a thickener, but not really a "gel."

Good luck in the lab! :D

Thanks Martine and Scarlett

Maybe Fox will pop in later tonight ::crossing fingers::

Martine, what you're saying makes sense..hmmm

I *think* Madeleine tried the gel-based henna, too, so maybe she'll have a few suggestions/comments.

If it wasn't her, I'm not sure who it was. I swear I read about someone trying it on here a couple of months ago. Grrr. I wish I could remember for certain.

Cheers,
Jonobie

Anne, have you seen these threads?

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=1502
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=2241

Fia (not Madeleine -- sorry!) used pectin to thicken her application. IIRC, pectin works essentially the same as gelatin. In fact, some recipes specifically say you can use either. So I don't see any reason why you couldn't substitute unflavored gelatin [or unflavored jello; it's the same thing] for pectin in Fia's recipe.

Cheers,
Jonobie

[Edited in the portion in []'s above.]

Thanks Jonobie :D

I tried a bit of pectin, but it didn't work very well with me. I didn't see any color change, which means I did something wrong since it was pure red henna!

I think there is a lot of experimenting to do with henna and thickeners, but what I really need to do better is extract the henna and strain it well. I'm missing something. I reverted back to the old way.

Sorry to be late in replying. I've been so busy. You can also page me at the Loom if I'm tardy again! :)

I tried something like this, not with henna but with walnut hull powder. I used both cornstarch and agar agar, separately with a decoction of walnut hull powder in a effort to make a medium that will keep the stuff in my hair long enough to stain it. Both worked well enough to keep it in my hair, but it didn't stain well. I didn't think of using gelatin as I'm a vegetarian, but I know there are other plant-based gels out there. I might give it another try one day with one of those.

Heidi, do you know if pectin is a vegetarian product or not?

Cheers,
Jonobie

Hi Jonobie! Yes, it's made from 100% vegetarians ;)

No really, I'm fairly sure pectin is usually derived from fruit.

Yes, it's made from 100% vegetarians ;)

You just made me squirt coke :D :D

Hi Jonobie! Yes, it's made from 100% vegetarians ;)

No really, I'm fairly sure pectin is usually derived from fruit.

*giggle* Yum. I bet vegetarians taste yummy with all those good vitamins and minerals in them! ;-) ;-)

Cheers,
Jonobie

:D

Yeah, but they really wiggle and squirm when you try to squeeze the pectin out of 'em!