The ancient art form of applying henna was traditionally used in the Middle East, Asia, and Oceana. Because of its temporary nature, people of all ages and walks of life have begun using it to decorate their skin.
The henna that we use is 100% pure and imported from Rajasthan, India. The henna powder is then mixed with other all natural oils, and fresh squeezed lemon juice to make a paste. No chemicals are used. This paste is applied to the skin and left for a few hours, we recommend at least 6. It works by staining the top layers of your skin, as your skin exfoliates these top layers, the design will fade. The henna design will last an average of 2 to 3 weeks.
All henna is performed by appointment only. Please contact John if you are interested.
Henna by John
Henna Aftercare
Henna should remain on the skin for at least 6 -8 hours. Some people choose to leave it on overnight. After such time, the henna may be scraped off with a fingernail or the dull edge of a knife. Do NOT wash the dried paste off with water.
After removing as much of the dried paste as possible, apply some oil --like apricot or olive oil-- to further clean the skin and to provide a moisture barrier. Try not to get the area wet for the first day.
Do not be disappointed with the color intensity at this point. The color will continue to darken for another 24 to 48 hours, after the dried paste has been removed.
Henna designs will be at their most dramatic 2 days after application, and will continue to look good for 1 to 2 weeks, then start to fade away. Certain areas of the body stain differently, therefore 1 - 2 weeks is only an average, it not uncommon for henna to last 3 - 5 weeks. To help them last their potential, keep strong chemicals off of them. Oil them throughout the day. Soap them only when really necessary, and do not rub them when showering. If henna is applied to the hands, use rubber gloves when washing dishes, or have someone else do them. In the Middle East, a woman’s henna lasting a long time denotes an upper class status, it means she has many servants.
Constant friction or abrasion on the part hennaed will result in a lightening of the design in that area. A sandal strap rubbing against a foot design wears away skin cells and the henna will become lighter in that area, creating uneven fading. Henna stains a few layers of skin cells, we exfoliate those layers on a regular basis. So, anything to slow down the exfoliation process will lengthen the duration of the henna stain.
This is why we recommend a daily maintenance routine: using apricot or olive oil rub a small amount into the skin, especially before bathing. It acts as a barrier to water and friction, and prevents dry skin condition.
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