Q&A for How to Care for a Henna Design

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  • Question
    How do you remove henna quickly?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    To remove the henna fast, try scrubbing with a thick paste made from baking soda and lemon juice. Let it set by leaving on the design for 10 to 15 minutes. Exfoliate to remove the paste, using a sponge or loofah sponge. Finish with a warm water rinse. Repeat if needed and condition the skin well after, as baking soda is drying. Other methods for removal of henna can be found here: How to Remove a Henna Stain .
  • Question
    How long before you can wash a henna tattoo?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Wait at least 12 hours before washing a henna tattoo; even then, avoid scrubbing it or using any harsh detergents. It may also be useful to cover the henna design with olive or coconut oil or a plant butter such as cocoa or shea butter, to provide a waterproof cover that helps the design to last longer.
  • Question
    Can you shower after getting henna?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    You will need to wait at least 12 hours before having a shower after a henna design. It’s a good idea to coat the design in an oil such as coconut or olive oil or alternatively, use some cocoa butter to protect the design from the water. Avoid scrubbing or soaping the henna design when showering. This will help to keep the design on for longer.
  • Question
    How long does henna last on your skin?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The length of time henna will remain on your skin depends on the quality of the henna applied, where the design is located, your own skin’s regeneration rate and how well the henna design is cared for. A henna design may last anywhere between one to five weeks. Henna designs on the hands tend to last less time than elsewhere due to the constant use of your hands and hand-washing, and will usually last around one to two weeks. On other parts of the body, the design may last up to five weeks.
  • Question
    If my henna tattoo starts to crumble, what should I do?
    Community Answer
    That's just the paste coming off -- it happens to all of them. Once it's gone, you will have your henna "stain".
  • Question
    What should I do when I go swimming?
    Community Answer
    Put Vaseline, lip balm or any water-resistant paste on your henna to prevent the water from fading the henna.
  • Question
    What color should it be when it starts coming off after a couple weeks? Mine is turning green. What can I do to fix it?
    Community Answer
    If your design was any color but pumpkin or red when you first got it, keep a very close watch on the area. There are people applying all sorts of dangerous chemicals to skin and calling it henna. Visit a doctor if you develop flu-like symptoms or an itchy, blistery rash.
  • Question
    Is it okay to use vegetable oil on henna?
    Community Answer
    Yes. It will protect it the same as any other oil.
  • Question
    Can you put it in water?
    Community Answer
    After the first 24 hours, yes - but only if the paste has been removed or fallen off. If you are showering, apply Vaseline to protect your henna. Try to avoid water as much as possible because it could cause the henna to fade faster.
  • Question
    Is it OK to get the henna wet in the shower if I don't have Vaseline? Will it ruin the henna?
    Community Answer
    No, it will not ruin the henna - as long as you don't harshly rub the area with soap or other cleaning products.
  • Question
    Can you put Aveeno lotion onto the stain?
    Community Answer
    Aveeno isn't necessarily natural. Put shea butter and coconut oil on it.
  • Question
    What if I removed the paste before 24 hours?
    Community Answer
    If you remove the paste before twenty-four hours, the stain will just not be as dark or last as long. If you just want the henna briefly, you can do it. But the longer the paste is on, the longer, darker, and fuller the stain will be.
  • Question
    What will happen if I take a shower the first night after getting a henna tattoo?
    Community Answer
    It will fade faster. You should wait 24 hours before getting your henna wet. After that, you should put Vaseline on your henna before you take a shower.
  • Question
    What kind of moisturizer should I use?
    Community Answer
    Natural moisturisers so that the chemicals in non-natural ones don't fade the design.
  • Question
    Can I take a shower with dried henna ink (paste already off)? Will it damage the henna?
    Community Answer
    You can do so after 24 hours. Make sure you put Vaseline on before going to take a shower -- the Vaseline will protect the henna and won't let it fade away.
  • Question
    How can you keep it dry in the shower?
    Community Answer
    Before showering, put Vaseline on the henna. Vaseline is water-resistant and will keep the henna dry without damaging it.
  • Question
    What should I do if my henna tattoo is coming off and I only applied it four days ago?
    Community Answer
    It's just crumbling. The stain is underneath, and most people peel away the top bit before the four day mark.
  • Question
    If I'm getting a spray tan should I do it before or after my henna tattoo?
    Community Answer
    Better to get the henna after your spray tan, as the spray tan could cover up or alter the look of the henna tattoo.
  • Question
    I've only had my henna tattoo for two days and it's already fading away. How can I stop this?
    Community Answer
    Cut down on washing or rubbing it to make it last longer.
  • Question
    Where do I get henna from?
    Community Answer
    There are a bunch of websites. Just search 'henna paste' on Amazon or Ebay.
  • Question
    Is henna safe if I'm a breast cancer survivor?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it's safe.
  • Question
    What if the henna is orange, is that bad or good?
    Community Answer
    If it's orange the day of applying, then you should be fine. After a full night, it should oxidize and turn reddish-brown.
  • Question
    What if I remove it sooner than 6 hours? Will I damage the henna in any way?
    Community Answer
    No, it will not damage the henna. The design simply will not last as long or be as dark as it could have been.
  • Question
    How do I remove henna with soap and water?
    Community Answer
    You have to continuously wash it over a course of several days because it is a pretty deep stain to the body.
  • Question
    Does henna paste smear when you rub it off?
    Community Answer
    If it is moist, yes. Don't rub it on anything until 24 hours after you got it applied and it should not smear.
  • Question
    Why are some bits darker than the others? The bit of my finger is really dark, but on my hand and wrist, it's not that dark.
    Community Answer
    The skin of your hand or wrist is darker compared to your fingers and palms, so the henna looks darker there.
  • Question
    What can I do to remove henna if it is starting to fade? I want to make another.
    Community Answer
    You can use a mixture of lemon juice, baking soda and any liquid soap. It will make the henna fade and also it will keep your skin moisturized.
  • Question
    Will lemonade with citric acid and natural flavors ruin the fresh henna?
    Community Answer
    Yes. There are several other things in lemonade too, such as preservatives, that aren't good for your henna.
  • Question
    Can I sleep with dried henna paste?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you need to wrap it up so you don't get any on your sheets.
  • Question
    How can I regain the darkness of my henna when it starts to fade?
    Community Answer
    Go over the design again with more henna.
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