Henna tattoos are a popular temporary type of body art ideal for people who want to decorate their body without having to commit to the art for a lifetime. Henna tattoos last between one and two weeks before fading away. Traditionally, henna tattoos were applied to the hands and feet, but they can also be applied anywhere on the body.
History
Early henna tattooing dates back to the ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians used henna for purely cosmetic reasons, including to decorate the hands and feet and to dye hair. Over time, use of henna spread beyond Egypt to Eastern regions, primarily in Asia and the Middle East. Henna tattoos are especially popular during ceremonial events, such as weddings or religious observances. Most henna tattooing is done by women and may include ornate decorations for major ceremonies or simple decorations for day-to-day life.
Application
Henna application usually involves five steps. You can try to do it yourself or have it done by an experienced professional. First, apply mehlabiya oil to the area of the skin where the henna tattoo will be drawn.
Second, press the transfer face down onto the oiled area. This is a sheet that contains the outline of your tattoo. Press the transfer face gently but firmly to make sure the entire outline transfers onto your skin. Slowly peel off the paper while taking extra care not to distort the print.
Third, draw the tattoo with the henna ink. The henna paste comes in a cone-shaped applicator to make it easier to draw the design. Start from the left-hand side and work your way across, and make sure to fill in all solid areas.
Fourth, leave the paste on for at least two hours so the color will properly adhere to your skin. Avoid touching or rubbing the area. Leaving the paste on for up to four to eight hours is recommended.
Finally, wait as your henna color darkens to reach its full hue. Results will last about seven to 15 days.
How It Works
The active ingredient in henna is called lawsone, which is what gives the tattoo its rich color. Lawsone is activated as soon as it is applied to the skin. A few hours later the color develops due to oxidization as the dye is exposed to air. The dye fades as dead skin cells fall off and new skin cells take their place.
Aftercare
To ensure that you get the best results from your henna tattoo, follow these instructions:
Do not pick off the henna paste until at least two hours have passed. The longer the paste stays on your skin, the darker the final color will be.
Cover the tattoo with gauze or plastic wrap while it's developing.
Avoid coming in contact with water for at least 12 hours after the tattoo has been applied.
Do not exfoliate the area with a scrub or rub it harshly with towels or wash cloths.
Avoid pools, spas, saunas and steam rooms. These places will accelerate the fading process of your henna tattoo.
Safety
You should be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any type of henna for use on the skin. Moreover, black henna dye, which is created by adding coal tar p-phenylenediamine, or PPD, to the brownish henna, can be dangerous. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, black henna can lead to allergic reactions and various adverse skin reactions when it comes in direct contact with skin. Avoid henna tattoo kits or tattooing parlors that use black henna dye.
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