Recipes for Natural Highlights
Dilute Honey Lightener- Gradually lightens hair with a natural hydrogen peroxide solution.
1 part honey
2 Parts conditioner (V05 SKR reportedly works well)
Mix the honey and conditioner and apply to hair. Wrap head with saran wrap and a warm hat. Let sit for 8 hours and rinse. (Thanks to SimplyLonghair for the recipe! See her post here) The science: The major antibacterial activity in honey has been found to be due to hydrogen peroxide produced enzymically in the honey. The glucose oxidase enzyme is secreted from the hypopharyngeal gland of the bee into the nectar to assist in the formation of honey from the nectar. The hydrogen peroxide and acidity produced by the reaction: glucose + H2O+ O2 --> gluconic acid + H2O2 serve to preserve the honey. The hydrogen peroxide produced would be of effect as a sterilizing agent only during the ripening of honey. Full-strength honey has a negligible level of hydrogen peroxide because this substance is short-lived in the presence of the transition metal ions and ascorbic acid in honey which catalyses its decomposition to oxygen and water. The enzyme has been found to be practically inactive in full-strength honey, it giving rise to hydrogen peroxide only when the honey is diluted. This is because the acidity produced in the action of the enzyme drops the pH to a point which is too low for the enzyme to work any more. On dilution of honey the activity increases by a factor of 2,500 - 50,000, thus giving a "slow-release" antiseptic at a level which is antibacterial but not tissue-damaging.