About Henna, Appointment Prep & Aftercare
About henna. Do you have G6PD blood deficiency?
What is henna? Henna is a plant and natural dye. When mixed properly, henna paste dyes the skin safely. The first documented use of henna is from ancient Egypt, 3,400 BCE.
Does it hurt? No. Henna is applied freehand on top of the skin like decorating a cake. Sometimes it tickles.
Is a henna tattoo permanent? No, henna is applied ON the skin staining the dead skin layers and fades as the skin exfoliates. Since henna isn't permanent like a tattoo, it's more accurately called body art.
What age is good to get henna? Minimum age to get henna is 8 years old.
How long does it take? It depends on design size and intricacy that you choose - anywhere from a few minutes for a small design to 8+ hours for detailed bridal coverage on arms and legs.
How long does the paste have to stay on? The longer the better. 6 hours is okay, 24 hours is best.
Why is the stain orange? It's still fresh. It takes 2 days to reach a dark mahogany color.
How long does it last? Anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. It depends on placement and aftercare. The stain gradually fades as the skin exfoliates. Water is the fastest way to fade a stain. Duration depends on body temperature/ chemistry, skin type, lifestyle, where you get it and how well you take care of it.
Where should my henna go? Tougher skin stains the darkest and lasts the longest. Palms and soles are best but not always practical. The back of the hands and tops of feet are the next best areas followed by wrists and ankles. The further away you get from these areas, the stain is lighter and fades faster.
Do you offer "black henna"? NO! "Black henna" is a toxic chemical soup that doesn't even contain henna AND it's illegal to use on the skin in the United States. These chemical pastes/ gels can cause burning, allergic reactions, scars, hypersensitivity to other things like hair dye. Pastes or gels that are shelf-stable, smell bad or come in different colors are not safe and must be avoided. Learn more.
What's in your paste? We blend it in-house using the finest organic ingredients: henna, water, sugar, essential oils of lavender, frankincense and cardamom.
What's G6PD? A genetic blood deficiency called Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Do not get henna if you have or think you might have G6PD, must avoid fava beans, tonic water, moth balls, aspirin and other drugs.
The Maria Design Package offered a modest bridal mehndi option for Rosana.
Your Pre-Henna Prep
Days Before Application
Waxing/ Shaving: This WON'T make your hair grow back thicker or darker. Hair must be removed from any area receiving henna at least 2 days before henna application.
Manicures/ Pedicures: Should be done at least 2 days before you receive henna. Soaking and polish remover will fade your henna stain.
No Spray Tans, Bronzer, Makeup: Henna cannot stain through these products.
Day of Application
Plan ahead… the studio doesn't have a public restroom.
Bathe before getting henna. You'll need to avoid water for 24 hours to achieve a great stain - shower before your appointment.
Do not apply hand sanitizer, cream, lotion, moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup on the area getting henna. PLEASE, do not wear perfume or scented products to your appointment.
Dress comfortable in clothing that won’t touch the henna. For example, wear short sleeves or a tank top for henna on the hands or arms.
Leave the paste on for 6+ hours. You'll have a poor stain if paste is removed shortly after application.
Optional sealant & wrap are free services at appointments. Wear overnight to intensify stain.
AVOID WATER from time of application until 24 hours after the paste is removed.
Your Special Day
Considerations
For the darkest stain with the most definition henna should be done 2-3 days before your event. For example, the best time to get henna is Wednesday and/ or Thursday for a Saturday event.
Achieve the best stain by leaving the paste on overnight (see Aftercare below).
Getting both hands hennaed? Plan to have someone assist with ordinary tasks like driving, change clothes, pick an item up, eating, drinking, etc..
Bridal Mehndi: Henna on the front and back of the arms and hands can take 3-8 hours and below the knees to the toes can take 2-5 hours (dense coverage can be split over 2 days). You must stay motionless while getting bridal mehndi so get your henna done in a relaxed setting before the mehndi party. Choose a close friend or two to help you: eat, drink; use the restroom, a TV remote and other tasks.
Your Artist: Jet's ancestors were introduced to henna over 1,000 years ago and she's been doing henna since 2009. Jet also trained with some of the industry's most talented tutors (Bhavna Naik, Jenpa Konchok Cartier, Neeta Sharma, Nimisha Parekh and Noam Sienna, among others) to gain knowledge of the cultural symbolic meanings and design concepts, flow and placement from other cultures beyond her own.
The Anna Design Package offers a touch of elegance.
Henna Aftercare
Caring for Your Henna
Henna paste takes 5-20 minutes to dry. Don't smudge it. Keep the paste on! Keep it warm.
Wrapping (optional). Do not use plastic (it will destroy your design).
Wait for the paste to dry. Before cracks form, cover with first aid paper tape. Do not lift or readjust tape once it makes contact with the henna.
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Wait for the paste to dry. Before cracks form, seal with a water-sugar solution (1/4 teaspoon sugar dissolved in 1 teaspoon water). Gently dab solution on dry henna with a cotton bud. Use sparingly and avoid drips! When dry, wrap with unrolled cotton balls> bath tissue> gauze> tape.
The longer the paste is on, the darker the stain. 6 hours is okay. 24 hours is best.
Do not use water to remove henna paste!
If no sugar-water spray was applied: Dried henna flakes off on its own. Flake off remaining paste with fingernails or the edge of a credit card.
If sugar-water spray was applied: Use only vegetable oil (see below*) to remove stubborn paste and sugar stickiness.
THE ORANGE STAIN TAKES TWO DAYS TO DARKEN.
Avoid water as long as possible, as much as possible. After paste removal, do not wet area for 24+ hours, if possible. Avoiding water allows the stain to darken and last longer.
Moisturize 2 - 3 times per day with a natural veggie oil (*olive, coconut, shea butter, jojoba, etc.). Coat with an organic lip balm if the design must get wet. Avoid petroleum jelly.
The fastest way to fade a henna stain is to go swimming in chlorinated water. Water, soap, hand sanitizer, commercial moisturizers, sweating, soaking, exfoliating, shaving, gloves, manual labor and rubbing also cause fading.