mehndi impressions

What is henna?

 

Henna comes from a plant whose leaves contain dye molecules, called Lawsonia. When mixed into a henna paste and drawn onto the skin, these dye molecules stain the top layers of skin a reddish-brown color. The design then slowly fades away as the skin naturally exfoliates itself. The paste is natural and safe for skin, made of henna powder, water, and eucalyptus oil.

 

How long should I leave the paste on?

 

The paste will dry in about 15-20 minutes, but you should leave it on for a minimum of 4-6 hours. Bridal mehndi is left on overnight for a darker stain.

 

How long will the stain last?

 

The stain can last anywhere from one to three weeks, but the average stain will last 7-10 days. This depends on where the henna was applied, how long the paste was left on, body temperature, etc.

 

What can I do to make the stain darker?

 

Try to keep the area warm and dry, blow drying the paste can help if your hands feel cold. Once the paste has dried, apply a lemon juice and sugar mix to seal the henna. If leaving it on overnight, wrap the paste with medical tape or gauze wrap. When taking off the paste, try to avoid using water for a few hours when possible, since this helps with oxidation.