What is henna?
Henna is a dried powder which comes from the plant Iaesonia Inermis. This is then mixed with differing combinations of lemon juice, tea, coffee, sugar and essential oils to make a paste.
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How long will my tattoo last?
The stain intensity and longevity depend on several things. Firstly is the placement. Henna lasts longer and gives the deepest colour on thicker skin. Secondly, it depends on how long you leave the paste on for. Paste taken off after a few hours may only give a yellow result. Paste left on overnight or longer can result in very dark, almost black designs lasting several weeks! Lastly, it depends on how well you look after your tattoo. Frequent washing, swimming or rubbing of the area will cause the design to fade faster. Please also note that henna cannot be applied over fake tan or similar makeup.
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What colour will my henna be?
As above, many things will affect the colour of your design, but in general, the thicker the skin, the darker the colour. Colours vary from yellow, through to bright orange, burnt orange, golden brown and darker to a deep very dark red. While the henna paste is on your skin, you should aim to be nicely warm, but not hot. The warmer you are, the deeper the colour.
What about Black Henna?
There is no such thing! 'Black henna' isn't henna at all. It is highly dangerous and can cause serious scarring. If you want a black tattoo, please ask about body paint or Jagua gel.
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How is it applied?
I almost always free-hand my tattoos. The paste is applied from a cone or tube onto your skin, which sometimes tickles and can have a cooling effect. At this point, the tattoo can be smudged, and will stain clothing - so BE CAREFUL! Over time (anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour in cold conditions) your design will dry and start to crack. Once at this point, the tattoo needs to be looked after to avoid excessive cracking and crumbling. Once the dry paste has been left on for as long as possible, it can simply be brushed off. You will need to avoid water for 24 hours, and the design will darken over 48 hours.
Who can have henna?
Anyone over the age of 6, with no allergies to citrus, sugar, lavender essential oil or fava beans. People with extreme anaemia, G6PD deficiency and naphoquinone sensitivity should also avoid henna.
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