What Makes Henna Fade?

Has your henna tattoo faded more quickly than you expected?  Do you have an interview or some other reason that you want to get rid of your henna tattoo in a hurry? 

While henna generally lasts between 1 and 4 weeks if the paste is left on for a reasonable time (at least 2 to 3 hours), there are some things that can aversely affect the stain. 

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• Very dry skin - dry skin exfoliates faster, which means that dry skin stained by the henna will fall off more quickly than well-hydrated skin will.

• Scrubbing - washing the henna tattoo repeatedly or vigorously will also cause your skin to exfoliate faster.  Don't expect to be able to get rid of the henna in one washing though!  You will damage your skin if you scrub too hard!
• Scented lotion (with exceptions) - Many commercial lotions have alcohol in them.  Alcohol actually removes moisture from the skin, making it exfoliate faster.  If your skin is dry, try using pure shea or cocoa butter.
• Chlorine - Chlorine not only dries your skin out (making it exfoliate faster), it is a bleaching agent as well, which will lighten the stain directly to some degree.
• Hydrogen Peroxide - Hydrogen Peroxide is also a bleaching agent, and will lighten the stain directly to some degree.

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What is Henna?

What is "Black Henna"
/ PPD?

What is in your Henna paste?
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How does Henna work?

How to care for your henna

How long does Henna last?

What makes henna fade?