From East to West, Natural Henna Tattoos are Making a Comeback
If you don't like the idea of getting a tattoo placed by a gun with needles, Henna tattoos just might be your answer.
Henna or 'Hene', also known as 'Mendhi' or 'Mehendi' in India and Pakistan, is commonly known for the coloring of hair in the West.
However, the dye qualities are not limited to coloring hair and medicinal uses: the dying agents of the Henna plant (Henna Plant Lawsonia Inermis) is also used to dye beautifully-patterned tattoos on the skin.
Henna Body Art has become recognized as a fantastic alternative to traditional tattoos because it requires no licensing to do and is safe for all ages and skin types unless there is a known allergy to Henna.
In an age where ingredients of traditional tattoo ink have come into question, Henna dyes are not known as "Henna Ink". Henna dyes are completely natural as they are derived botanically from the plant, left to dry, and ground into a powder that is then made into a paste.
Henna tattoos are simple to create: a stencil is placed over the skin that has been treated with mehlabiya oil and the henna paste is applied and left to sit for approximately 2 hours.
Aftercare of Henna tattoos is also straightforward: for 12 hours, no harsh soaps or abrasive washclothes are used on the area. During that time, the color depends to a rich, deep hue.
Avoid 'Black Henna' Tattoos!
Black Henna contains PPD, otherwise known as p-Phenyldiamine, p-Phenylenedimine, para-Phenyldiamine & para-Phenylenedimine.
Black Henna is often touted as "permananent tattoo ink" to tourists while visiting other countries. Black Henna is completely based on known toxic chemicals:
1. Black Henna is VERY black and is known to cause allergic reactions.
2. Black Henna is extremely toxic.
3. Black Henna is illegal in Europe and the USA, or any other country that enforces safety laws and procedures.
Henna Tattoo Designs
Henna tattoo designs are as beautiful and varied as their needle-tattoo counterparts.
Henna tattoo designs are applied to the skin using henna tattoo stencils, many of which are reusable.
Henna tattoo kits contain all the henna tattoo supplies you will need and are extremely reasonable in price with most henna tattoo kits under $20 online.
One bottle of Henna tattoo dye will do approximately 25 medium-size henna tattoos.
Henna Tattoo Color(s)
When the Henna design is stenciled on to the skin, the color 'develops', much like hair color, and turns to copper-orange to reddish brown, depending on how long the paste remains on the skin and stencil after application.
A dark brown to black henna tattoo color can be achieved by reapplying paste 1 or 2 times back over the stencil design.
Henna Tattoo Removal
Henna tattoos are considered temporary tattoos due to their lack of permanency.
Henna tattoos naturally fade and disappear on their own in 1-4 weeks' time however, if you want to remove a Henna tattoo right away, simple scrubbing with soap and water will do the trick.
Another way of removing a Henna tattoo is by swabbing the area with full-strength hydrogen peroxide and allow to dry and sit for 1-2 hours. Reapply as needed.
How Long Do Henna Tattoos Last?
Henna tattoos last, on the average, about 3 weeks depending on how well they are taken care of.
Because Henna paste is safe for most people, henna tattoo stencils can be reused and Henna paste reapplied as needed up to 4-5 times.
Special care should be taken when in chlorinated swimming pools by applying Vaseline over the Henna tattoo.
For a list of FAQs concerning Henna tattoos, please click here.
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