How to Wear Henna in Any Weather Condition

After investing your time and money into getting a flawless henna tattoo, watching it fade fast is a big disappointment. Henna works by staining the top layer of skin cells, so your lifestyle and the weather outside both play a role in how long you can expect your henna design to last. When it comes to premature fading; bad skin care, excessive moisture, cold, and harsh chemicals are some of the worst offenders. Fortunately, they’re also some of the easiest problems to avoid with a few minor changes to your care plan. From protecting your stain from water damage with coverings to avoiding exfoliating chemicals, following the color-boosting tricks below can help keep your henna design fresh in any weather.

Remember, henna is a permanent stain. The henna does not fade away, the skin cells exfoliate off. Anything that exfoliates the skin, will make your henna fade quicker.

Start with Quality Supplies 

Even the best aftercare routine won’t make a difference if your henna tattoo is created with low-grade materials. For intense color coverage and longer lifespan, only use fresh henna from a trusted, professional source. At Beachcombers, our henna is high quality fresh henna that is properly stored and we offer high quality essential oils for mixing. Jamila henna powders and our house henna ORa Rajasthani henna deliver dark stains that last.

Follow Professional Instructions 

If you want to try an at-home henna design, perfecting your application technique is just as important as using high-end henna powders. To learn how to create strong stains that won’t fade quickly, download a helpful guide such as the eBook “Henna Basics and Beyond” for beginners.

Prevent Fading with a Natural Sealant 

Spraying lemon and sugar on top of your henna paste (after the paste sets) will let you keep the paste on the skin longer so you will get a longer lasting henna stain. You can find professional sealants online or make your own version at home by combining sugar with lemon juice and heating the mix up in a pan until it turns clear. Once it cools off, use a cotton swab to carefully apply a small amount of the sealing paste to your henna pattern.

Stay Out of the Water 

If you can avoid it, don’t go swimming for the first few days after getting your henna tattoo done. Chlorine in swimming pools is especially exfoliating to the skin and will fade your henna tattoo quickly. Cover your tattoo when heading outdoors in the rain, but go with loose-fitting clothes that won’t rub against your skin. The friction between tight fabric and henna can speed up the fading process and distort design. For those hot summer days when covering up aren’t an option, gently rub your tattoo with olive oil before swimming or walking in the rain.

Avoid Direct Sunlight 

While high body heat is actually good for creating a stronger stain, exposing your skin to direct sunlight enough to burn or dry out the skin can shorten its lifespan by causing peeling. To protect both your skin’s health and your design, cover up! If you plan to spend hours in direct sunlight, wear a wide-brimmed hat or loose shirt. Sunscreen is very important for skin health, but it can be exfoliating and cause your henna to fade. Choose a sunblock with as few additives as possible. Henna acts as a natural sunblock, but you still need to be proactive about protecting the rest of your body from the sun’s toxic ultraviolet rays.

Do you know a tip to prolong the life of your henna tattoo that we skipped? Comment and share it below!