HENNA AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
For best henna results, please read these helpful tips carefully. How you take care of your henna in the first 24 hours will affect the darkness and longevity of your design!
- HEAT promotes the stain and setting process; So, keep your body warm first 24 hours or sit in the sun or by a heater. If you want to have an added support, you can apply heat from a hair dryer to your henna.
- WEAR an old, thin sock or knee high over henna’d area to keep the paste on the first night. Henna is best kept on overnight in most cases. For a wrist design, cutting the foot off a trouser sock and placing it over the design is a good way to secure the paste for the night (after wrapping with tissue/toilet paper). In some cases, I tape it down. Ask about this if you are interested and I will let you know if it works for your situation.
- LEAVE henna paste on skin for as long as you can, 4-6 hours minimum.
(If your henna design is on your head, torso or upper arm/leg, leave on as long as possible – overnight is best). You can pick the paste off the next day or allow it to flake off on its own. No water on the area for at least twelve hours. - Do not scrub with any abrasive or use any exfoliants on henna’d area.
- DO NOT WASH WITH SOAP FOR 24 HOURS after paste removal. To expose your henna to soap too soon after paste removal will interrupt the oxidization process which will stop it from darkening. Your henna will develop over the next 24-48 hours with peak color occurring at 48 hours after paste removal. If you simply MUST shower the first day, be sure to cover the henna with vasoline or olive oil to protect it from any fly-away soap and avoid allowing the hot water to hit the henna directly.
- PROTECT the darkened stain with frequent applications of olive oil. Be cautious of moisturizing products containing exfoliants as they will prematurely age your design. Olive oil or Tiger Balm is best right after paste removal.
- PROTECT DESIGN WITH VASOLINE BEFORE ENTERING CHLORINATED HOT TUB OR SWIMMING POOL.
- An important thing to remember is that any activity or substance that dries or causes friction on the henna’d area will prematurely age the design.
- Remember that everyone stains a little differently
- ENJOY YOUR HENNA!
