Henna is a natural dye that people use for decoration. Some people also use it as a temporary tattoo.
Henna is a natural dye.
Henna comes from a plant called Lawsonia inermis. People have used it to colour skin, nails, hair and fabrics since ancient times. Henna paste is made from crushed leaves and twigs of the henna plant.
Henna paste is applied directly onto the skin. It leaves an orange stain at first, which turns reddish-brown after a few days. The stain lasts for about two weeks before fading away.
Henna is safe for most people, but some henna products may contain harmful chemicals. It would help if you avoided henna with coal tar hair dye or p-phenylenediamine (PPD).
It lasts for a long time.
Henna tattoos last longer on thick skin, such as palms and soles. But they can fade if you don’t take care of them. Here are some tips to make your henna tattoo last longer:
- Avoid chlorine water, such as in pools and spas. Chlorine can ruin the stain of henna.
- Moisturize your henna paste with a lemon-sugar mix. It can help the stain bond better and become darker.
- Wrap your henna design with toilet paper or gauze. It can protect it from smudging or rubbing off.
- Avoid wetting, washing or scrubbing your henna tattoo. It can make it fade faster. Use gentle soap and water when necessary.
- Apply oil or lotion to your henna tattoo daily. It can keep it moisturized and shiny.
It is easy to apply
Henna is easy and painless to apply and remove. You don’t need any chemicals or needles to do it. You need henna paste and a tool to apply it.
You can choose from many beautiful designs or create your own.
Applying henna requires a cone, tube or bottle with a fine tip. You squeeze the paste onto your skin and make the design you want.
You peel off the dried paste from your skin to remove the henna. You don’t need to wash it off with water. The stain will appear orange at first but darken over time.
