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Lounging while the lightly scented and cooling henna paste is applied to the skin is very calming and provides an opportunity to support and encourage the new mom. This is a wonderful time to quietly visit with friends while creating a joyous celebration of the last phase of pregnancy. Plus, everyone has a little reminder of the day together as the designs last 7-10 days.


Women often tell me they are planning to include photographs of their hennaed belly in their baby album. They want a special way to remember the pregnancy, what they looked and felt like and even to show the child that mom was wild once upon a time.

At Henna Caravan we use only natural henna, lemon juice, sugar and lavender oil in our mixes for pregnant women. It is important to keep the ingredients simple during pregnancy so you don’t stress the body, baby, or cause an allergic reaction. Other ingredients may be added such as coffee, tea, tamarind, or clove depending on the artist’s preference but simple is always better during pregnancy.

Henna should be avoided or used sparingly if you are extremely anemic or the baby has G6PD deficiency.

Having henna applied during a healthy pregnancy is generally safe but it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor. Work with a reputable artist and make sure you know exactly what is being used in the henna paste mixture, it should be simple, natural and smell fresh.

Natural henna is incredibly safe and poses no danger to a healthy pregnancy. There are people who use chemical additives such as hair dyes in the mix to speed up the process or obtain a black stain. This is not safe or legal. Chemical dyes often contain a chemical known as PPD which is toxic and can cause long term damage, including scaring. Chemical dyes will stain the skin within 30 minutes and be dark immediately, these should always be avoided.

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. The color will be a light orange at first and darken to a richer shade over 2 days.