WHAT IS HENNA?
Henna is a stain on the skin and is not a traditional invasive "tattoo" that involves needles and ink. The leaves of the Henna plant contain natural dye that can be used to stain many different substances including fabrics, hair and skin.
Henna paste, which is made primarily of henna leaves, is applied to the skin and left on for a few hours.
The paste is left on the skin for at least 6 hours or more (overnight for best results).
The henna stain will look bright orange when the paste is first removed. After about 48 hours, the stain will deepen to a shade of brown or brownish-red. Henna stains are NEVER *black. Please see the "black henna" warning.
*Sometimes the palms and bottoms of feet can get so dark brown that they appear black.
PASTE
HALF OFF SHOWING STAIN
AFTER OVERNIGHT APPLICATION:
24
HOURS AFTER PASTE REMOVAL:
Henna stains last anywhere from 1-3 weeks if well taken care of.
There are many variables that affect how dark the stain will be and how long it will last. Click here for some technical info.
A LITTLE HISTORY...
Mehndi is the Indian word for henna. Henna paste, made from the crushed leaves of the henna plant (lawsonious inermis), was used to color the skin as long as 5,000 years ago. In India, North Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, henna is seen as a blessing with the power to bring the wearer happiness and wealth. In India, henna has long played a significant part in the wedding ritual. A bride's hands and feet are intricately decorated about 3 days before the wedding. Additionally, the bride does not have to do any work until the henna stains disappear. Some cultures also use henna as a healing agent for skin disorders, headaches and arthritic pain. Since henna has a natural cooling affect on the skin, it is applied to the hands and feet to cool the body in arid temperatures. Henna can also be used to dye hair and fabric.
