Henna
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
What is henna?
Henna is a plant.
The naturally occurring lawsone dye in its leaves is responsible for giving the wonderful mahogany color.
The plant's leaves are picked, dried and ground to use as henna powder.
What color is henna?
Henna powder
How long does the henna color (aka stain) last?
Henna color can last from one to 2 weeks.
Click here for the self-explanatory henna Timeline.
Click here for the video showing the stain progression.
What factors affect the life of a henna stain?
Once applied how do I care for my henna?
***Aftercare Instructions***
Watch the Aftercare video
Any tips to achieve dark and long-lasting henna stain?
What are the ingredients of your henna paste?
I use the following ingredients and mix the henna paste myself.
Who should not get henna?
What is 'Black henna', PPD or 'Neutral henna'?
Watch the video.
These are names of nasty and harmful chemicals mixed with henna.
Please avoid them at all costs.
Always get your henna done from a local and reputable henna artist.
What makes 'Black henna' dangerous?
The black hair dye containing PPD (Para-phenylendiamine) is added to henna. This makes it very harsh for use on skin, often resulting in rashes and even burns.
There is an extensive research about this by Catherine Cartwright-Jones during her PhD in henna.
Please follow this link to read further.
Does it hurt to get henna? Are there needles involved?
No and absolutely not!
There are NO needles involved.
Henna is applied using a hand-rolled cellophane, plastic cone.
The application is very similar to how cake designers decorate a cake.
It actually tickles a bit!
Here's a video showing the henna application.
Does henna go under your skin?
No.
Henna only colors (stains) the top most layer of your skin.
This is a layer of dead skin cells which will exfoliate over time.
Does henna come with glitter? Will the glitter come off with the henna paste?
Yes.
Cosmetic-grade glitter can be sprinkled on top of the wet henna paste.
Once the paste has dried, the glitter applied on top of the henna paste will come off, along with the paste.
My henna paste is dry and now flaking. Is this normal?
Yes.
This is normal.
The sugar in the henna paste helps it to stick to the skin.
However, any movement of the joints (example; the fingers, wrist, ankles, toes, etc), the skin over the joints moves.
This loosens the dried henna paste off of the skin and cause it to flake off.
Applying a sealant (water + sugar) will help henna stay on the skin longer.
How is organic henna different than the henna powder OR pre-made henna cones at a grocery shop?
The organic henna powder I use comes from highly reputed suppliers in the USA.
They import henna powder from certified organic henna farms in Rajasthan, India.
Stringent tests in the USA make sure that the henna powder is free of chemicals, preservatives or any other additives.
Please feel free to contact me for any other henna related questions!
Henna is a plant.
The naturally occurring lawsone dye in its leaves is responsible for giving the wonderful mahogany color.
The plant's leaves are picked, dried and ground to use as henna powder.
What color is henna?
Henna powder
- the powder is green in color. Some powders are brownish green.
- When the powder is mixed with a liquid (water, citrus juice or tea) to make a paste, it turns a dark shade of green.
- The paste turns dark brown as it dries.
- Click here to watch a video showing how the henna powder is mixed into paste.
- Henna paste gives out bright orange dye called Lawsone.
- This dye oxidizes over 48 hours to turn from orange color to dark shades of maroon or brown.
- Click here for a picture of the stain/color.
- Henna is a natural product and does not come in any other colors.
How long does the henna color (aka stain) last?
Henna color can last from one to 2 weeks.
Click here for the self-explanatory henna Timeline.
Click here for the video showing the stain progression.
What factors affect the life of a henna stain?
- It varies from person to person.
- Factors like (but not limited to) body chemistry, medication, stress, cold weather could affect how dark your skin stains.
- The location of the designs plays a big role. A henna applied on hands fades faster than henna applied on arms or legs.
- Aftercare is super important for a dark and long lasting henna stain. Make sure you keep the Aftercare card handy. I've also listed the Aftercare below.
- It also depends upon how often the stain is washed. For example; if a person with henna color on his/her hand washes hands very often, the skin exfoliates faster resulting in henna color to fade faster.
Once applied how do I care for my henna?
***Aftercare Instructions***
Watch the Aftercare video
- Once the design is applied, keep it on for 4 to 8 hours. The longer the better!
- Keep the design from getting wet during this time.
- This is the 'Setting time' and affects how long the stain will last.
- After the Setting time, first scrape off the paste or gently pick at it with your finger.
- Do not wash it.
- Then apply coconut oil on stubborn bits to remove easily.
- Lastly, avoid getting the design wet for 12 hours after scraping the paste off. This step is important to get a beautiful dark stain.
- Stay warm. This is important to get a dark stain.
Any tips to achieve dark and long-lasting henna stain?
- Henna paste on:
- Keep the henna paste on as long as you can manage. The longer you let it sit on your skin undisturbed, the better and long lasting Henna stain you'll achieve.
- Apply dry heat (with caution). Keep your henna design warm.
- Avoid using that area (especially hands) as much as possible to avoid excessive flaking of the henna paste.
- After taking the paste is scrapped off:
- Avoid washing your henna stain or any contact with water as long as possible. Preferably up to 24 hours.
What are the ingredients of your henna paste?
I use the following ingredients and mix the henna paste myself.
- Organic henna powder
- Lemon juice
- Distilled water
- Organic sugar
- Essential oils.
Who should not get henna?
- Kids under the age of 6. This is mainly because they are too young to stay still for the application and for the necessary After-care.
- Kids with G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency.
- People allergic to Moth balls, Fava beans and/or Aspirin. If you are allergic to Naphthalene, it is recommended to avoid getting henna.
What is 'Black henna', PPD or 'Neutral henna'?
Watch the video.
These are names of nasty and harmful chemicals mixed with henna.
Please avoid them at all costs.
Always get your henna done from a local and reputable henna artist.
What makes 'Black henna' dangerous?
The black hair dye containing PPD (Para-phenylendiamine) is added to henna. This makes it very harsh for use on skin, often resulting in rashes and even burns.
There is an extensive research about this by Catherine Cartwright-Jones during her PhD in henna.
Please follow this link to read further.
Does it hurt to get henna? Are there needles involved?
No and absolutely not!
There are NO needles involved.
Henna is applied using a hand-rolled cellophane, plastic cone.
The application is very similar to how cake designers decorate a cake.
It actually tickles a bit!
Here's a video showing the henna application.
Does henna go under your skin?
No.
Henna only colors (stains) the top most layer of your skin.
This is a layer of dead skin cells which will exfoliate over time.
Does henna come with glitter? Will the glitter come off with the henna paste?
Yes.
Cosmetic-grade glitter can be sprinkled on top of the wet henna paste.
Once the paste has dried, the glitter applied on top of the henna paste will come off, along with the paste.
My henna paste is dry and now flaking. Is this normal?
Yes.
This is normal.
The sugar in the henna paste helps it to stick to the skin.
However, any movement of the joints (example; the fingers, wrist, ankles, toes, etc), the skin over the joints moves.
This loosens the dried henna paste off of the skin and cause it to flake off.
Applying a sealant (water + sugar) will help henna stay on the skin longer.
How is organic henna different than the henna powder OR pre-made henna cones at a grocery shop?
The organic henna powder I use comes from highly reputed suppliers in the USA.
They import henna powder from certified organic henna farms in Rajasthan, India.
Stringent tests in the USA make sure that the henna powder is free of chemicals, preservatives or any other additives.
Please feel free to contact me for any other henna related questions!
Henna Timeline