One simple henna design will be applied from wrist to fingertip on the inside and outside of your hands. Henna takes approximately 20-30 minutes to dry on the skin. When the henna paste has dried on the skin, it is recommended to use a cotton ball to dab a 1:1 mixture of sugar and lemon juice (or lime juice) onto the henna design for a stronger color payoff. After the sugar-lemon juice mixture is applied,
For the best result, keep the henna on for 6-8 hours. If you are planning to sleep with the henna on, be aware that it will stain anything it comes in contact with including bed sheets, comforters, clothing, and even other areas of skin. To remove the paste, rub off any henna paste that is sticking to the skin. In the first 24 hours, try to have little contact with water as the henna will fade faster when it's fresh. Avoid swimming in chlorinated water, hot showers, detergents, and activities where your hands will be soaked or in contact with chemicals in these first 24 hours to make the henna last longer.
