Mehndi is a paste made from the powdered, dried leaves of the henna plant (botanical name: Lawsonia Inermis), lemon juice, essential oils (eucalyptus, lavender, or tea tree are the most commonly used), water, and sugar.

Mehndi may not be best for you if you are allergic to any of these ingredients!

Mehndi is applied across many different cultures around the world. Within the South Asian culture, it is often used during weddings and religious holidays. Some of the reasons individuals may choose to apply mehndi are:

Symbol of Love & Prosperity – Represents love, happiness, and a strong bond between the couple.

Cooling & Medicinal Benefits – Helps relieve stress and has antiseptic properties.

Auspicious Tradition – Considered a good omen for weddings and festivals.

Beauty & Celebration – Enhances the bride’s look with intricate designs.

Mehndi stains differently on everyone based on aftercare follow-through, body temperature, skin type, where on the body the design is located, and exposure to water/chemicals!

However, mehndi typically deepens over 2-3 days and then begins to fade gradually. The design typically fades completely over 1-3 weeks.

Mehndi aftercare is the most essential step in the process. Once the mehndi is applied, it is recommended that you leave it on for 6-8 hours (wrapping your design and sleeping with it is a great way to ensure the stain will deepen). Next, you will scrap off the mehndi with an oil of your choice (e.g., coconut, eucalyptus, etc) and then apply a thin layer of Vic’s Vapor Rub. Finally, avoid water and stay warm for at least 4-6 hours to ensure your deepest stain!

Anyone can get mehndi! There are no restrictions based on gender, age, or culture.

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, I would not suggest getting mehndi done without first trying a small patch (if you wish to do so).

If you need to remove your stain faster, here are some ways that may help:

Exfoliate (e.g., salt + oil scrub, sugar + lemon scrub)

Washing Hands (frequently and with warm water)

Some areas of your body will be easier to remove the stain from (e.g, forearms), while other areas may be harder (e.g., palms)