Want a darker henna stain? Follow these aftercare tips for the best results:
- Leave the paste on for at least 8–10 hours – Overnight is even better.
- Seal the dried paste – Dab a cotton ball dipped in a lemon-sugar syrup to lock the paste in place.
- Heat is your friend – Warming your henna design while the paste is still on can help achieve a darker stain. To achieve a darker henna stain, you can gently warm your hand over a heat source like a fireplace, space heater, or heating pad, maintaining a distance of 10 to 12 inches.
- Avoid plastic wrap or medical tape – These can cause sweating and may smudge the design.
- Remove the paste gently – After 8–10 hours, don’t wash it off with soap and water. Instead, scrape the paste off gently. You can use warm mustard oil to help remove it.
- Keep the stain moisturized – For the next 24 hours, avoid direct contact with water. Apply mustard oil, olive oil, or coconut oil to create a protective barrier.
- Use Vicks vaporub – Apply it the next night before bed to help deepen the color.
- Continue moisturizing – Keep your stain coated with mustard oil, olive oil, or coconut oil before and after showers until your special event.
The henna stain will initially be bright orange and darken to a deep brown over the next 48-60 hours. This gradual darkening indicates the henna is 100% natural!