How long will my tattoo last?

• Designs usually last 7-10 days, depending on body chemistry, how long the paste was allowed to soak in and location on the body.   
• Henna always lasts longest on the hands and feet, less on the torso where skin is thinner.
  
• It is very important to keep in mind that natural henna stains a reddish brown color and needs to soak on the skin 4-8 hours.
  
• Designs fade faster with frequent showers and swimming.  

How to look after your mehndi/tattoo:

Tips for a bride to consider while planning a Mehndi night:

• Do a consultation with your henna artist before the Mehndi night.  This will let you choose your designs in a leisurely manner for your special day. As a bride you are bound to be preoccupied with a lot of things on the mehndi night. This may hinder in you choosing the perfect design for your wedding. It also gives the artist an opportunity to prepare better for your mehndi night.
• Plan your henna night two-days before your wedding.  It takes about 48 hours for mehndi to reach its best color.
• If you have a lot of people coming to your mehndi event, get your mehndi done early.  That way the artist will be finishing up your mehndi when your guests start arriving.  This will give you time to socialize with your guests and also not get you too distracted while the mehndi is being done.  For elaborate designs and extensive work, please make sure you start your Mehndi at least 2-3 hours before your guests arrive.
• Get all your pre-bridal beauty work (waxing, manicure, pedicure etc) before getting the mehndi done. The less it is exposed to water, the darker it will get.

For the Mother-to-Be:

• Henna during pregnancy is an ancient practice and is soothing as well as calming.
• It is believed to protect and bless the mother and child from any evil or malicious spirits that may be near during delivery.
• Belly painting with henna is generally safe during pregnancy, but as with anything done to the body during this time, a mother-to-be should gain approval from her obstetrician. 
  
• Anyone that has been diagnosed with G6PD (Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenate) deficiency, is allergic to Fava beans, or is severely anemic should not get a henna tattoo.

   

• http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS213593+30-Jul-2008+PRN20080730
• http://www.ehow.com/how_2212792_avoid-black-henna-tattoos.html
• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/98264.php
• http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/black-henna-tattoos-can-cause-major-skin-problems-re-issue_10079453.html
• http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm108569.htm