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HENNA

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24 hours after application

Right after application

What is henna?

Henna, or Lawsonia Inermis, is the leaves dried and then processed into powder. Traditionally used in the Middle East and Africa, recently making it's way to the West. Every artist mixes the henna paste differently, but I mix the powder with lemon or water, lavender essential oil, and sugar. Henna leaves a natural deep orange/brown stain on the skin.

How long does henna last?

Henna lasts 7-10 days if properly taken care of. Meaning after application you avoid water for at least 24 hours and after that time cover with coconut oil, olive oil, or Vaseline to prolong tattoo life. Try to avoid any exfoliation, chlorine, and the ocean. Henna will stain the darkest on thicker skin such as the hands and feet, where as, it will stain lighter on the back, upper arms, stomach, and legs. The darker your skin is, the darker the stain is. The lighter your skin, the lighter the stain.

JAGUA

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Right after application

24 hours after application

What is jagua?

Jagua, or Genipa Americana, is a fruit extract. Traditionally used in Central and South America. The jagua I use premixed online from hennacity.com. The ingrediants include lavender essential oil and xanthan gum (to thicken). Jagua leaves a dark blue/black stain.

How long does jagua last?

Jagua lasts 1-3 weeks. Also depends on the aftercare. To prolong the stain avoid water for at least 2 hours after application and after 24 hours apply coconut oil, olive oil, or Vaseline before coming in contact with water. Avoid chlorine and the ocean to prolong tattoo life. Jagua will stain darkest on thicker parts of the skin such as hands and feet, where as, it will stain lighter on the back, upper arms, stomach, and legs. The darker your skin is, the more "black" it will appear. The lighter your skin, the more dark blue it will appear. 

Prepping for henna

Before the henna appointment please do not spray tan or apply any lotion or moisturizer to the area at least 24 hours prior. Shower a few hours before I will arrive because you will not be able to wash the area for 24 hours after application. When I arrive this is time for you to relax, be wearing comfortable clothing, go to the bathroom, have payment out so you do not bump the henna when reaching into your purse, put hyper dogs in another room, have music or a movie playing for entertainment, and have the temperature a bit warmer than usual. When it is cold the henna will stop staining. Be prepared to not be able to use your hands for at least an hour. 

Henna Aftercare (IMPORTANT)

Try to keep your body temperature a bit warmer than usual. You could relax in the sun, turn up the temperature, hang out by a fire, etc. Keep the henna paste on the skin for 4-6 hours. It will start to flake when it is dry, this is okay. After 4-6 hours scrape the henna off with a credit card or the back of a butter knife into a trash can. There may be some henna remnants use an oil to get the rest off, but DO NOT USE WATER. Again, avoid water for 24 hours after application. The stain will be a light orange and will continue to darker over the next 48 hours.

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Prepping for jagua

Similar to henna prepping instructions, so please read to the left. The only difference is you CAN shower 2 hours after application. 

Jagua Aftercare (IMPORTANT)

Keep your temperature a bit warmer than usual. The jagua gel needs to stay on the skin for 2 hours after application. It takes jagua about 20-45 minutes to completely dry, so do not bump it. (IF YOU DO BUMP IT and it looks pretty bad see if I can fix it, otherwise, wash it off quickly before it stains). After 2 hours, wash it off VERY WELL with room temperature water and a little soap. Do not scrub with anything but your hands. It is a bit tedious. If you think you washed it all off, you probably didn't so go ahead and do it again because if you don't the jagua will leave the stain very cloudy looking.  Once it is washed, it will be a very light gray color, this is GOOD. The stain will continue to develop over the next 5-24 hours.

 

WARNING: After application and after the gel dries on the skin, it can still stain other parts of the body. for example if you forget about the jagua and rest the stained part on an unstained part of the body it will act like a stamp. so do not fall asleep with jagua gel unwashed.

"BLACK HENNA"

Sometimes referred to as "kali mehndi" or "piko" is henna that that has been adulterated  with the transdermal toxin, p-paraphenylenediamine (PPD for short) mainly used as a hair dye.  In some cases this so-called henna doesn't even contain any henna at all. PPD is associated with bladder and blood cancers, liver failure, and fetal harm. It is currently illegal for use on skin in the USA and some other countries. 

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HOW TO TELL IF IT IS BLACK HENNA:

If the mixture smells like ammonia, gas, or chemicals, this is a sign the artist could be using unsafe ingredients and the black henna will start to stain instantly, where as, jagua and henna stain very gradually over 24 hours and smell earthy and typically like lavender or tea tree essential oil. Always ask the artist about the ingredients if it seems a bit fishy. Good reliable artist will mix their own henna and usually have their information out for you to find them on social media. 

Allergies

Please keep in mind that we are all different. Henna and jagua are foreign substances and if you have never received either, do a spot test. If you are sensitive you could have an allergic reaction like an itchy rash that will go away. I have had one client out of thousands that after using jagua on his underarm area, started to itch and he got an itchy rash. We tried it again the next time, and it did not happen. If it starts to itch, wash it off.

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