Prepare & Aftercare for Beautiful Henna

Want that rich, dark, long-lasting henna?

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That gorgeous color doesn't happen by accident. But there are ways to prepare for your henna appointment a best-practices for henna aftercare.

Henna (mehndi) is a temporary form of body art with a rich history throughout the world. Henna is not just gaining popularity in the US, but globally. Naturally, I'm delighted and want to henna ALL the people - and I want the stain to be rich and long lasting.

In the Mid-west in the summer, it's super easy to get a good stain because the henna 'loves heat'. But in the winter, you have to work just a little bit harder to stay warm

It is important that your artist can make effective paste from natural ingredients, but the actual success of the stain is really up to you. Keep reading for best practices and prepping for your appointment...

Prepping for your appointment & best aftercare practices

Alchemy prepares fresh natural paste from the leaves of the henna plant. The paste is painted onto the skin, the lawsone molecule in the plant begins to stain the skin. To get the best possible, darkest, longest lasting stain, the success is up to you.to prepare

• It's a good idea to plan ahead so you won't need to shower after your henna is applied.
• Lotions and self-tanners will block your henna stain
• Please review the list of ingredients in Alchemy henna paste: adjustments can be made for sensitive skin & allergies.
• Location, location, location: plan your clothing: want a foot piece in winter - let's talk. Want a shoulder piece? wear a bandeau. Want something on your solar plexus? bandeau or bikini top. Something more exotic or unsure about how to plan for body pieces? Please leave a message when you schedule your appointment - and I'll call. I want your henna to be awesome.

aftercare

• The paste needs to be on the skin 4-6 hours 
• Henna LOVES heat. In cool / cold weather warm drinks, heating pads, electric blankets are all useful
• Flake or 'scrub' off the paste instead of washing it off.
• Avoiding water for 24-48 hours really does make a difference!
• "Sealing" or wrapping is effective. Sealant recipe below. Wrapping with a compression bandage, old sock, stripped cotton rags, and even TP are good. No plastic wrap: cling wraps trap moisture and cause lines to feather.

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when you first take off the henna paste, your design will be orange (maybe a little disappointing)  - - but it will get darker in the next 24 hours