How can I get that amazing, dark henna stain?

There are a few factors that contribute to a beautiful henna stain:

1. Make sure you have no oils/lotions on your skin before the application.

2. Leave your henna paste on your skin for at least 4 hours (ideally, overnight).

3. Apply lemon & sugar sealant (done for you at our appointments).

4. Use a natural, pure oil like coconut oil or olive oil to remove your henna paste. Do NOT scrub with water!

5. Your initial stain will be a deep orange once removed and will darken to a deep red and finally, to a mahogany-brown over 24-36 hours.

How do I know if I’m allergic to henna?

If you’ve heard about ‘henna gone wrong” or an allergic reaction to henna, you may be worried about getting henna done. However, please note that these reactions come from using “chemical” henna which differs immensely from natural henna (please read more about black/chemical henna in the FAQ below). Black henna or chemical henna can contain several harmful chemicals such as PPDs which can react to your skin, but these are add-ons to the actual henna paste purely for the reason to help boost the stain.

With natural henna, allergies are exceptionally rare as there are no chemicals added to it and thus, the henna stain development takes longer as it develops naturally.

The Henna Gateway is insured for the service provided and only uses 100% natural and organic henna paste. Our paste contains only 4 ingredients: 

1) Organic Rajasthani henna powder 

2) Cane sugar

3) A blend of 3 therapeutic-grade essential oils: Lavender Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia), Cajeput Oil (Melaleuca leucadendra) and Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus globulus).

4) Water

With natural henna, clients may have an allergy to one of the 3 essential oils used in the henna paste, not the "henna" itself. In the rare case that you are allergic to any of the above essential oils, please contact us. For those with sensitive skin or those getting a henna crown/maternity henna done, a paste made only with Lavender oil will be used— it is crucial that you voice your concerns to us so we are aware.

Is henna only for the hands and feet?

Absolutely not! Traditionally, henna is applied on the hands and feet of women, because it is seen to relieve the nerve endings to offer a sensory stress relief. These two body parts are also where the henna will stain the darkest. However, with the art of henna spreading across cultures, it can be done anywhere you like! Our Henna Heals initiative also allows you to cover up scars- or apply henna on your scalp as a henna crown for those suffering with hair loss. You can also celebrate motherhood with a belly-bump henna!

How long does the henna last?

Your henna stain lasts on average 7-14 days, depending on how often the part the henna is applied on, is washed. For longevity of your henna stain, we suggest that you use less soaps and exfoliants on your stain. Any strong chemicals found in skincare products can cause your henna stain to fade away much quicker.

Can I bring my own henna cones for you to use on me?

We do not accept to use any other henna cones except my own as we’re only insured for my own products. It is my responsibility to ensure the henna we use is safe on my client's skin and we cannot do so when using cones from anyone else. Unfortunately, many artists do still use chemical henna. Your henna stain will be just as beautiful if you follow aftercare instructions properly.

What is black henna/chemical henna? / Do you apply black henna?

Black henna includes a very tiny amount of actual henna, with the rest of its ingredients including chemicals such as PPD (found in permanent hair dye), charcoal, kerosene and others. Black henna is illegal in the UK. Beyond that, it can have horrible effects on your skin and for this reason, I will not accept to apply black henna as part of my service.

Many festivals & tourist attractions use Black/Chemical henna, which includes several toxins that not only are harmful for your skin, but can scar it. At The Henna Gateway, we freshly prepare our own henna paste, which is 100% natural.

 With chemical henna-- in effort to make henna paste shelf-stable to be sold in stores and online, chemicals and preservatives are added—turning it into an adulterated product. Black henna is a common type of chemical henna, which includes several harmful additives. Education around henna safety is crucial as several festivals and tourist attractions continue to use black/chemical henna due to it being readily available and cheap to buy. For more info, please see this article.