With the sudden and viral splash of attention the concept of "Henna Crowns" has been receiving on Social Media in the past weeks (days, really), I have seen a massive influx of people who have had little or no previous experience working with henna decide they want to start offering this service to cancer and alopecia patients in their areas. I've even been contacted personally by a nurse who's worked with cancer patients for years, but was just made aware of the concept of Henna Crowns and now wants to become a henna artist so she can offer them to her patients.
While I admire the wish to provide this service to cancer and alopecia patients, I must caution you that this is not a project that you ought to get involved with at the very beginning of your journey as a henna artist.
My biggest piece of advice is make yourself fully aware of the safety issues regarding ingredients in paste and the possible interactions with the skin and meds of cancer patients. Chemo and radiation can cause havoc with a patient's body chemistry, causing extreme sensitivities and allergies they may not have had prior to treatment. Learning to mix your own paste with organic henna powder and sourcing high-quality essential oils (IF you choose to use them) is pretty much the only way to ensure that the paste you are using is of the best and safest quality for your clients.
My second piece of advice is that you practice for a LONG TIME before you start working on cancer or alopecia patients. What you want to offer them is an inspiring piece of artwork that will change their view of themselves from something full of loss to something hopeful and beautiful. Working on scalps is a challenge for even veteran artists (myself included!), and you want your henna technique and artistic sense to be as developed as possible in order to provide the highest-quality artwork to your clients.
I strongly recommend you join the FB group "Henna Hub" - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hennahub/ It's a group of newbie and veteran henna artists, and a great source of information. Contact my henna supplier - www.HennaCaravan.com - and ask them to provide you supply and safety info; they are very, very experienced and able teachers.
I admire those who have found a calling to work with cancer patients to try to help them in their emotional healing process; I hope you are willing to practice patience and educate yourself fully before embarking on this meaningful journey.
While I admire the wish to provide this service to cancer and alopecia patients, I must caution you that this is not a project that you ought to get involved with at the very beginning of your journey as a henna artist.
My biggest piece of advice is make yourself fully aware of the safety issues regarding ingredients in paste and the possible interactions with the skin and meds of cancer patients. Chemo and radiation can cause havoc with a patient's body chemistry, causing extreme sensitivities and allergies they may not have had prior to treatment. Learning to mix your own paste with organic henna powder and sourcing high-quality essential oils (IF you choose to use them) is pretty much the only way to ensure that the paste you are using is of the best and safest quality for your clients.
My second piece of advice is that you practice for a LONG TIME before you start working on cancer or alopecia patients. What you want to offer them is an inspiring piece of artwork that will change their view of themselves from something full of loss to something hopeful and beautiful. Working on scalps is a challenge for even veteran artists (myself included!), and you want your henna technique and artistic sense to be as developed as possible in order to provide the highest-quality artwork to your clients.
I strongly recommend you join the FB group "Henna Hub" - https://www.facebook.com/groups/hennahub/ It's a group of newbie and veteran henna artists, and a great source of information. Contact my henna supplier - www.HennaCaravan.com - and ask them to provide you supply and safety info; they are very, very experienced and able teachers.
I admire those who have found a calling to work with cancer patients to try to help them in their emotional healing process; I hope you are willing to practice patience and educate yourself fully before embarking on this meaningful journey.
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