Before Your Henna Appointment: How to Prepare

The day before

Henna stains the outer layer of your skin, so the fresher and cleaner that layer is, the better the colour. A little preparation the day before makes a real difference.

• Exfoliate gently in the shower.
• If you’re removing hair, do it a day or two ahead rather than on the day.
• Skip fake tan and heavy moisturiser on the areas you’d like decorated.
• Save a few reference photos of designs you love.

On the day

Come with clean, dry skin. Wash the area with plain soap and water and leave it bare.

• No lotion, oil, sunscreen or perfume on the area.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves you can push up past the elbow. Henna paste can mark fabric, so skip your favourite white top.
• Eat beforehand and keep a drink handy. Once the paste is on, your hands are out of action for a while.
• Use the bathroom and get anything you need out of your bag before we start.
• Take off rings, bangles and watches from the areas being decorated.

Good to knowWarm skin takes colour better. On a cold day, keep yourself cosy before and after your appointment.

Give it time

Small designs are quick to apply, while detailed and bridal work takes longer. Once the design is finished, the paste needs about 20 to 30 minutes to dry on the surface, but the longer it stays on your skin, the deeper the stain. Keep it on for at least four to six hours, and overnight if you can.

So plan your day around it. A henna appointment before a quiet evening at home is ideal; one right before a day of cooking or swimming is not.

Allergies and sensitive skin

Hennaaz uses natural, handmade henna with no PPD (the chemical in “black henna”), so reactions are uncommon. Still, everyone’s skin is different. Let us know before your appointment if you:

• Have reacted to henna, hair dye or temporary tattoos before.
• Have very sensitive skin or a skin condition in the area.
• Have G6PD deficiency, as natural henna isn’t recommended for people with this condition.

If you’re unsure, a small patch test a day or two before is a good idea, and your doctor can advise on any medical concerns.

What to bring

• Reference photos or ideas for your design.
• Your outfit, or a photo of it, if you’d like the design to match.
• Something hands-free to keep you entertained while the paste dries.

And when your appointment is done, our aftercare guide takes you through the next 48 hours.