Crazy itching thanks to Henna

I did a henna treatment a few weeks ago, and I'm still thinking about the intense itchiness I experienced. I made my paste with olive oil and lemon juice and slept in it, and I'm thinking my skin freaked out from having the lemon juice or the henna on it for so long. I had to soothe it with hydro cortisone cream! Man, that stuff works wonders.

I'm only weirded out by my reaction because I've henna'd before and nothing like this happened. Any thoughts? Any of you ladies had an experience like that?

Lemon juice is a irritant. I found white tea and herbal tea worked better and was gentler on my scalp. maybe next time just use green, white or herbal tea. It has enough acid to do a very good color release.

Thanks! I figured it was the lemon juice. Trial and error, right?

I concur that it was probably the lemon juice. Since I have ditched it and used black tea instead, no more itchies! I buy local henna at the market too.

Lemon juice is TOOOO acidic for you to leaving it on that long. Next time use tea..it acidic enough tot get the dye to release but it wont bother you're scalp if you leave it on for a long time.

Did you use Indigo with your henna? Some people report the itchies after using Indigo.

It was definitely the lemon juice. Use what the ladies above said. I have used green tea, only letting the tea bag sit for the required time on the label and no itchies. Lemon juice is sometimes used as a skin bleaching agent. The acid is a beast.