Before you start reading...
Remember that anything I say on this page is purely an opinion based on my experience. If you feel something I say is untrue or offensive, remember that it is only one person's opinion, and don't get too mad. If you have a comment or would like me to add something to this page, please e-mail me.
Here is a brief set of instructions about how to care for your henna art...
Once the henna paste is applied there are a few steps that I take to ensure a dark, long lasting stain.
- Re-wet the paste several times with lemon juice. I apply the juice with a cotton ball and allow the henna to become almost dry in-between applications. The result of this process will be a flexible henna that adheres well to the skin.
- Allow the paste to remain for as close to six hours as possible. The solution to this for me is to do the henna right after dinner and then sleep with it on. In order to do this I cover the area loosely to keep any henna that does fall off from ending up in the bed.
- Scrape the paste off the skin. Do not rinse it off! Then clean up the lemon juice residue with olive oil, if you desire. The henna stains may not be very dark at this point, but they will darken in the next 12-24 hours.
- Avoid wetting the area for as close to twelve hours as you can tolerate. This will allow the stains to darken completely.
- Keep the area moisturized with olive oil. Be sure to put some on and let it soak in before showering. Also apply the oil after washing the area.
- Avoid using any harsh soaps (like ivory) or products with any alpha hydroxy type ingredients. Keep in mind that the henna stains are on the surface layers of the skin, and anything that removes the surface layers will remove the stain with them.
- Avoid anything that contains chlorine, mainly cleaners and pool water.
Follow these few hints and you should get a darker, longer lasting stain.
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