Q&A for How to Care for a Henna Design

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 .

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.

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.

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.

That's just the paste coming off -- it happens to all of them. Once it's gone, you will have your henna "stain".

Put Vaseline, lip balm or any water-resistant paste on your henna to prevent the water from fading the henna.

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.

Yes. It will protect it the same as any other oil.

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.

No, it will not ruin the henna - as long as you don't harshly rub the area with soap or other cleaning products.

Aveeno isn't necessarily natural. Put shea butter and coconut oil on it.

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.

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.

Natural moisturisers so that the chemicals in non-natural ones don't fade the design.

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.

Before showering, put Vaseline on the henna. Vaseline is water-resistant and will keep the henna dry without damaging it.

It's just crumbling. The stain is underneath, and most people peel away the top bit before the four day mark.

Better to get the henna after your spray tan, as the spray tan could cover up or alter the look of the henna tattoo.

Cut down on washing or rubbing it to make it last longer.

There are a bunch of websites. Just search 'henna paste' on Amazon or Ebay.

Yes, it's safe.

If it's orange the day of applying, then you should be fine. After a full night, it should oxidize and turn reddish-brown.

No, it will not damage the henna. The design simply will not last as long or be as dark as it could have been.

You have to continuously wash it over a course of several days because it is a pretty deep stain to the body.

If it is moist, yes. Don't rub it on anything until 24 hours after you got it applied and it should not smear.

The skin of your hand or wrist is darker compared to your fingers and palms, so the henna looks darker there.

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.

Yes. There are several other things in lemonade too, such as preservatives, that aren't good for your henna.

Yes, but you need to wrap it up so you don't get any on your sheets.

Go over the design again with more henna.