What is henna?
Henna paste is made from a powder extracted from the henna plant. Henna is a flowering plant! It has been used to dye hair, skin, and clothing for thousands of years. The plant is native to the subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and northern Australia. India in particular has a rich history with henna and grows the highest quality henna plants in the world. The plants are then processed and used to make body art tattoos and henna hair dye. Henna has been used for centuries as a natural coloring agent for hair, skin, and nails, but it is best known for its use in body art. Temporary dye was - and still is - most commonly used to decorate women and men as part of their wedding celebrations.
The henna powder is mixed with sugar, lemon juice and essential oils to create a smooth, brown paste, which is then applied to the skin.
How long does it take for henna to dry?
It usually takes about 20-30 minutes for henna to dry on the skin and up to 2 hours on the hair. Once henna dries, it becomes a muddy, flaky texture.
How long should the henna stay on the skin?
To get a vibrant color, you should leave the henna on your skin for at least 2 hours. Traditionally, henna is left on overnight to achieve a deeper, darker coloration.
How long do henna tattoos last?
Henna tattoos on the skin last about 1 week. After that, it begins to fade, leaving a blotchy pattern on your body. Cleansing and regular exfoliation can also affect the time frame.
How do you get henna off?
The best way to remove henna is to wash your skin regularly with soap and warm water. You can also use lemon juice to exfoliate and baby oil to cleanse.
What is black henna?
There is no black henna! Read that again. While most henna pastes contain natural ingredients to bring out the natural colors, over the years "black henna" has become popular. This so-called "henna" has a harmful additive called PPD to make it darker and for the stain to last longer. These additives can pose major risks to the skin in the form of chemical burns and allergic reactions.
What is PPD?
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a chemical found in almost all hair dyes to create a permanent dark color. PPD itself is derived from the composition of printing inks, oils, gasoline, greases, and black rubber.
This is nasty stuff, believe me! Many of the international students classified this chemical as "unsafe" to use. In fact, PPD is classified as an "allergen" to human skin by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.