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What is Henna / Mehndi?
Henna, also known as mehndi, is the ancient art of bodypainting with paste made from powdered leaves from the henna plant. Mehndi originated in the Middle East, North Africa, and (in Hindi, the word mehndi or mehendi is used for both the henna plant and the art of decorating with it).
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Henna is the Persian name for a plant called Lawsonia Inermis that produces a natural, safe dye from its leaves. the dried leaves are ground into a paste and applied to the skin. The Dye is absorbed into the skin much like lotion creating a temporary design that fades gradually over the next 7-14 days.
Traditionally, the hands and feet are painted before important celebrations (like weddings), and the painting process is a festive occasion as well. Usually a women's art, some cultures also henna the hands of men on the eve of their weddings. Henna has been used to decorate the skin and hair for nearly 5,000 years -- and has been found on the hands and feet of Egyptian mummies!
What colors of henna do you have?
Henna is a natural plant dye, which stains an orange-brown color. Some people call other temporary body art "henna", but true henna is from the henna plant (latin name: lawsonia inermis). Henna is never, ever black.
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How long will it last?
Henna will last until the skin it dyes exfoliates. This is typically 1-3 weeks. However, henna can last as long as 8 weeks on the thick soles of your feet, or go away as quickly as 3-4 days on very thin parts of your skin (like your face). Feel free to ask if you would like an estimate as to how long henna will last where you intend to get it done.
Is henna safe? Yes!
Henna is 100% natural. Henna is one of the safest cosmetics ever used, and allergies are so rare as to seem nonexistent. I have never had a customer report an allergy to henna, even those who have many other allergies. A patch test is still a good idea if your skin is particularly sensitive.
Is henna a tattoo? Does it hurt? No.
In English, there are no useful words to describe a henna stain ornamenting the skin, so henna designs are frequently called "henna tattoos". Hennaed skin is not tattooed. Unlike a tattoo, henna only dyes the outermost layers of the skin. No needles are used. Henna is painted onto the skin. Having henna applied feels like having your skin decorated with pudding. The process is relaxing and pleasant.
How does it work?
Henna dyes the upper layers of your skin using completely natural processes. Henna contains the lawsome molecule, which dyes skin cells and keratins (hair and fingernail cells). It takes time for the lawsome to bind with cells, so the henna paste must stay moist and in contact with the skin for as long as possible. Heat also makes the dye darker.
Caring for Your Henna Design
1. Let the henna dry.
It will take approximately half an hour before the henna paste is dry enough that you do not have to worry about smudging it. Keep all clothing, hair, etc. away from your henna design for at least half an hour. There will be a charge for smudge repairs.
2. Leave the henna on.
Leave the henna on as long as possible! The longer you leave the henna on, the better the color will be. Leave it on a minimum of 2 hours; overnight is best.
3. Take extra steps for a better stain.
Do either or both of these while the henna paste is still on for best results:
-Dab a little bit of lemon juice onto the dried henna paste with your fingertip.
-Warm your hands either with steam or a blowdryer.
4. Take the henna off.
Brush the dried henna off with your hand - again, only do this after it has been on as long as possible.
5. Protect the henna from water.
If you have it, put eucalyptus or tea tree oil over your design the first time you wash the area. Any other oil (such as vegetable oil or baby oil) will also work almost as well. This is not a necessary step, but is recommended especially if you must wash the area within 12 hours of paste removal.
6. Watch the color develop.
The color of your design will at first be a shade of orange (ranging from very light to pumpkin orange). It will get darker over the course of the next 48 hours, turning anywhere from orange-brown to maroon or burnt sienna. Your design will be at its darkest after 1 or 2 days.
7. Take care to maintain your henna as long as possible.
Avoid chlorine, salt water, dishsoap, bleach, other cleaning materials, and any other harsh chemicals. You can bathe and shower as usual. To get rid of the henna more quickly on purpose, exfoliate using a loofah or pumice stone.
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