Henna / Mehndi AFTERCARE & maintaining

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Henna aftercare instructions:

• Allow paste to dry 15-20 minutes without bumping or touching it.
• Once your henna paste is dry, it will be sealed with a lemon sugar solution or paper medical tape to keep the design safe. For the best stain, leave the henna paste on your skin for a minimum of 4-8 hours or even over night. The longer you leave it on skin, darker the stain. Keep your body as warm as possible while the paste is on.
• When ready to remove, peel tape, and pick or gently scrape off the access henna.  You can use vegetable oil (corn, olive, canola) for stubborn pieces.  The design will appear as a bright orange stain which if properly cared for, the stain will deepen into a richer reddish-brown-burgundy tone over the next 48 hours.  Avoid contact with water as much as possible during the first 24 hours after paste removal, as water can interrupt the oxidization & darkening processes of your henna stain.

Maintaining your henna:

• Rub your henna with an aftercare balm, natural olive oil, canola oil, cocoa butter, or pure shea butter before bathing to protect it from water. 
• Bleaching or being in chlorinated pools or hot tubs & even excessive showering will fade the stain.  Aquaphor or A & D ointment will protect it from chlorinated or salt water. 
• Avoid excess rubbing of the area; the rubbing of clothing and shoes on the design will cause your henna design to fade more quickly. Avoid exfoliating, waxing or shaving over your henna as they remove layers of skin & fade your designs rapidly. Wearing gloves while cleaning, gardening & washing dishes will help a great deal.
• When tanning, remember that henna acts as a sun screen & the hennaed area will not tan.

Henna designs will last anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on the area that was hennaed, the length of time the paste remained on your skin, and how well you maintain your henna.  Henna stains the darkest on hands, wrists, inner arms, ankles, and feet.  All skin types are different and rarely it may not stain at all on certain skin, especially on the back, neck, or belly.

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CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Henna looks different on everyone. Body chemistry, temperature and location on the body have a lot to do with how dark the stain will be. Drier skin on the hands and feet stains much darker than the softer skin on the upper arm or back. Henna stains are darkest during the first 7-10 days, then gradually fade.
The following are some steps you can follow to ensure a nice stain:
1. LEAVE PASTE ON AS LONG AS POSSIBLE
It is recommended to leave the paste on at least 5-6 hours or more. Leave paste on overnight for best results. The longer the paste stays on the skin, the darker the stain will be.
2. HEAT AND MOISTURE HELP
The warmer the body temperature, the faster the henna will stain. If you are cold, try drinking something hot before you start. Gently steaming the area while the paste is on also helps.
3. WRAP IT UP
You can wrap the area with an elastic bandage, paper medical tape or toilet paper. Wrapping isn't required but it helps conserve heat and moisture, which help to make the stain darker. Also protects sheets if paste is left on overnight. I usually put a piece of toilet paper over the design, then wrap with an elastic bandage. If you want to use plastic wrap, be sure to wrap with toilet paper first to soak up any perspiration and to prevent smudges.
4. REMOVE THE PASTE
DO NOT USE WATER!! You can use lemon juice or olive oil to remove the paste. You can also gently scrape the paste off or let it fall off naturally.Try not to get the area wet for at least 6-12 hours after paste removal although waiting a full 24 hours is best. The longer you prevent the area from getting wet with water, the better. Design will be bright orange at first and then gradually darken to brown. Henna stains take 48 hours to develop.
5. MOISTURIZE
Apply some kind of natural oil or butter after the paste is removed to protect henna design and prevent exfoliation. A Avoid moisturizers with fruit acids (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid) or bleaching agents.
6. AVOID FRICTION.
Exfoliation of the skin is what causes henna to fade. Excess washing and friction from clothing will make the stain fade faster. The less you touch the area, the better. Wear gloves when washing dishes if the design is on your hand.

Please remember, henna body art is not an exact science. Everyone stains differently due to countless variables. If you follow the above guidelines, your henna stain should last 1-3 weeks depending on body location and aftercare.