Native to the Middle East, Northern Africa and Southern Asia, the henna plant or Lawsonia inermis thrives in hot temperatures, producing highly fragrant evergreen leaves. According to Henna by Holly, after harvest, the leaves of the henna plant are dried and ground into fine powder. Artists use the powdered leaves to create beautiful, but temporary, henna art on the skin.
History
The art of henna dates back approximately 5,000 years. Rocky Mountain Henna reports that henna ink on the feet of Egyptian mummies dates back to 3,000 B.C. Historically, henna art adorned the bodies of those who were part of celebrations, such as weddings, circumcisions, births and deaths. The parts of the body most commonly treated to henna ink were the hands and feet.
Features
Henna ink is a versatile medium that allows the artist to control consistency and depth of color. While henna leaves always act as the ink base, it's the addition of a second or third ingredient that determines the final result. Happy News Magazine explains that henna leaves mixed with water creates a thick henna paste. Add indigo leaves to the water, and the color of the henna ink deepens. Color and consistency are a matter of personal preference, and further alterations to the henna ink most often include the addition of cloves, lemon juice, and black tea or coffee grounds.
Function
According to The Henna Page, henna leaves contain a tannin dye known as hennotannic acid. The tannin molecules are very small and capable of penetrating the skin. Henna ink does not spread; it absorbs directly into the skin in the area applied. It is important to note that although henna ink saturates the skin, it does not saturate any deeper than the upper layers of the stratum corneum.
Solution
Once the henna ink design is complete, it requires immediate sealing. Failure to seal the henna ink can cause unsightly smearing. Once the henna ink is dry, a light spritz of super hold spray gel seals the henna ink and keeps it in place. Wrapping the henna ink design with facial or toilet tissue after sealing helps to intensify the color of the ink, according to The Henna Page. For best results, leave the sealer and wrapping on for 24 hours.
Warnings
Avoid black henna ink, which often contains a dangerous chemical known as p-phenylenediamine or PPD. Black henna containing PPD can cause severe allergic reactions, as well as swelling, oozing, infection, rash and scarring. According to Health Canada, these symptoms usually occur within two to 10 days of application. True black henna ink that contains PPD will stain the skin black. If a black henna ink stains skin gray, chances are it does not contain PPD, but don't risk it.
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