So you got a henna design—now what?

• The paste will take 15 to 30 minutes to fully dry. While the paste is drying, do not touch it or bend any joints that have henna paste. Once dry, the paste will not smudge.

• Once fully dry, the paste should remain on the skin for at least six hours to allow the dye to penetrate as many layers of skin as possible. The longer the paste is left on the skin before removal, the longer the stain will last!

• Do not wrap the henna in plastic wrap or other non-breathable material. Wrapping it in non-breathable material will cause you to sweat, and the sweat will melt the henna paste causing it to smudge. If you wish, you may wrap it in toilet paper. Or, you may leave it unwrapped entirely—wrapping the design is not necessary.

• To remove paste, scratch it off with your nails, the back of a butter knife or a spoon. Do not use water to wash it off. Use a plant-based oil (coconut and olive oils work well) to help remove any stubborn bits of henna paste.

• Avoid getting the fresh henna stain wet for at least 12 hours after paste removal, if possible. Apply olive, coconut or any plant-based oil to the henna stain to moisturize it and before getting it wet to protect it.

• The stain will appear bright orange at first and darken to its final color 24 to 36 hours after paste removal.

• Important note: If you had lotion or sunblock on your skin where the henna was applied, the stain will not be as dark or last as long as lotions act as a barrier, preventing the dye from soaking into your skin.

How long will henna last?

A henna stain will stay on the skin for anywhere 5 to 14 days depending on the location of the henna on the body, how long the henna paste remains on the skin before removal and each person’s unique body chemistry. The farther out from the center of the body you go, the longer the stain generally lasts. Henna on the hands and feet will last the longest.

Exposure to chlorinated water will make the stain fade very fast.