How to Care for a Henna Design

Co-authored by Moushami Iyer

Last Updated: March 13, 2023 References Approved

You want your new henna design to look its best for as long as possible. Henna ink typically holds its form for 1-3 weeks before it begins to fade and flake. During that time, keep your skin moisturized so that the design lasts longer, avoid washing with abrasive cleaning agents, and try to keep from rubbing the henna. If you care for your design, it will be more likely to last for several weeks – or even longer!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Letting the Henna Set

1
Don't touch the design directly after it's applied. Henna paste is moist when applied. After application, you need to keep that body part away from any obstructions—clothing, hair, environmental factors—so that it doesn't smear the design. The paste usually dries within 5-10 minutes, but err on the side of caution. It will take approximately half an hour before the henna paste is dry enough that you don't have to worry about smudging it.^{[1]
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2
Leave the henna paste on your skin for as long as possible. The longer the paste stays on the skin, the darker the stain will be. Let the paste dry on your skin for at least 6 hours, and consider leaving it on overnight.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Moushami Iyer
Henna Artist
Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.} Don't wash it off; don't rub it off; don't accidentally brush it against anything.

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3
Use sugar and lemon juice. Once the henna paste starts to dry, coat it with a mixture of sugar and lemon juice. Leave it to soak in for a few hours, or even overnight. This will keep the paste moist for longer, making the resulting stain even darker. Fill a small bowl with lemon juice, then mix with sugar until the solution is sticky and syrupy. Use a cotton ball to blot the sugar-lemon-juice onto the dry henna.^{[3]
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- The lemon sugar helps moisturize the henna. It also serves to seal the henna and protect the design. The acidity of the lemon can also help highlight the color of the henna.
- Be careful not to oversaturate the henna; you just want it very slightly damp. If you use too much moisture, the dye may smear and drip – especially at first.
- If you leave the sugar-and-lemon-juice solution on your skin overnight, it's important to wrap or otherwise protect your skin from rubbing and smearing.
4
Try to keep your skin warm and moist. The warmer the body temperature, the faster the henna will stain. If you are cold, try drinking something hot before you start. Gently steaming the paste-coated area also helps impart warmth and moisture.
5
Wrap up the design. The henna paste will flake and crumble as it dries, so consider covering up the inked area to keep the crumbs from spilling everywhere. Wrapping also helps make the stain darker by conserving heat and moisture. You can wrap the area with an elastic bandage, paper medical tape or toilet paper. Try covering the wrap with a sock to make it more secure.
- Try laying a piece of toilet paper over the design, then wrapping the area with an elastic bandage. If you want to use plastic wrap, be sure to wrap with toilet paper first to soak up any perspiration and to prevent smudges.
- Know that henna stains textiles like clothing, sheets, and towels. If you leave the paste on overnight, wrapping may protect your sheets.
- Some claim that wrapping is the only way to care for a henna design, but others say that you only need to wrap your ink if you've gotten extensive work done.
6
Wash off any dry henna flakes. Use room-temperature water and mild soap. Dab the stain with a gentle cloth. If you rub the design at this early stage, it might begin to fade more quickly.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Removing the Paste

1
Scrape off the dry henna paste after 6-24 hours. Use any clean, dull scraping tool: a toothpick, a fingernail, a file, or the blunt side of a knife. Rinse your skin with room-temperature water once you've cleared most of the henna paste. Avoid using soap on the fresh henna.^{[4]
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- When your skin is clean, pat it dry. Then, gently moisturize the design with oil or lotion.^{[5]
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  Moushami Iyer
  Henna Artist
  Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.}
2
Keep the henna area away from soap and water for 24 hours. Try not to get the area wet for at least 6-12 hours after paste removal, although the effect will be even stronger if you wait a full 24 hours.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Moushami Iyer
Henna Artist
Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.} Water can interrupt the oxidization and darkening processes of your henna stain.
3
Watch the color deepen. Once you've exposed your skin and cleaned off the dried henna paste, you'll be able to watch the ink mature into its fullest form. Your design should begin in a shade of orange ranging from bright neon to the color of a pumpkin. Over the next 48 hours, the stain will deepen into a rich, red-brown color. The markings will end up somewhere between orange-brown, maroon, and chocolate brown. Your design will be at its darkest within a day or two of its application.^{[7]
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- The final color hinges on your skin type and your body chemistry.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Moushami Iyer
  Henna Artist
  Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.} The ink usually looks darker on hands and feet.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Caring for the Design

1
Expect your henna design to last for 1-3 weeks. The duration is highly dependent upon how well you care for your skin. If you keep the stain moisturized and keep it from rubbing off on things, it may last three weeks or even longer. If you don't care for the henna at all, it may begin to fade or peel within the first week.^{[9]
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- The longevity of the henna stain also depends where the design is located on your body. The ink tends to show up darker on your hands and feet, but those areas also tend to exchange the most friction as you interact with your environment.
2
Moisturize. Apply a coat of a natural oil, butter, or lotion after the paste is removed. While the henna is on your skin, moisturize regularly to protect the design and prevent exfoliation. Many store-bought moisturizers contain chemicals that can prematurely lighten the stain, so it's best to use something natural.
- Do not use moisturizers that contain bleaching agents and/or fruit acids (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid). These chemicals tend to strip your skin of moisture and nutrients, and they can make the henna fade prematurely.
- Spread a coat of essential oils over the design. Oils will keep your skin moist, which may prevent the henna from fading or flaking prematurely. Try using wax lip balm, coconut oil, or olive oil. Look for specialized henna-care oils.
3
Try not to rub off the design. Exfoliation can fade the henna. Rough washing and friction from clothes can also lead the stain to disappear more quickly. The less you touch the area, the better. If you have a henna design on your hand, consider wearing gloves when you wash dishes.
4
Clean your skin with a gentle soap. Apply with your hand or a soft towel. If possible, rub soap around the edge of the henna design, but not into the stain itself. Avoid using acetone (found in nail-polish remover) and hand sanitizers. These relatively powerful chemicals strip your skin and make the henna stains fade more quickly.

Community Q&A

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.

Warnings

Henna stains clothes. Be careful when you use it.

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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. Tell the doctor that you've gotten a chemical on your skin. Ignoring these symptoms can near-permanently damage your skin.

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