Henna has long been used for beautification and increasing the appeal and worth of the body. As one of the most popular and safest forms of body arts today, applying Henna is becoming increasingly popular not only in the Eastern countries but also the Western ones as well. Everyone now sees the beauty in the delicate and intricate lines with the impressive reddish-brown hue.

Once the henna paste is applied it needs about a half hour to dry, but needs to stay on for a total of 6-12 hours (hands and feet need 6 hours, the rest of the body 8-12 hours). After the waiting time has passed, scrape off the dried paste, and for the next 6-12 hours you must keep water off the hennaed skin for the stain to fully take on your skin. Upon removal of the paste you will see a bright orange stain which will gradually darken over the next 24-48 hours, turning a deep, rich reddish-brown color. The stain can last anywhere from 1-3 weeks; it will last longer on the palms of your hands and your feet because the skin is thicker. The stain fades gradually as your skin exfoliates; if you want the stain to last avoid using anything on the skin that will exfoliate it and use gloves when doing dishes or housework...or better yet, use your henna as an excuse to avoid cleaning!