Is henna a natural product?

Yes. Henna is a natural pigment, and in most people will cause no harm. The leaves are cut from the plant, dried, and ground into a powder. Some commercial henna products may have added ingredients; always read the labels. It is best to do a patch test to be sure that your skin is not sensitive to this plant.

Does it hurt to apply henna to the skin?

No! Whether for everyday wear or special celebrations, painting henna on the skin is a painless beauty treatment. It is a pleasant and relaxing experience. The most difficult part of getting a henna design is sitting still for the time required, which can be anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the complexity of the design.

What does the henna smell like?

Some people love the smell if henna and other cannot tolerate it. Henna paste has a peculiar scent similar to a barnyard or to damp clay. Still, the odor has been described by some as an aphrodisiac!

How is henna decoration different than a tattoo?

Both tattoos and henna body decorations are ancient arts. Permanent tattoos are applied by tattoo artists using a needle that pierces the skin; the process can be painful. Whereas henna designs are applied with a pastry-bag-like cone or a toothpick-type instrument that does not pierce the skin; henna feels great going on.

In USA, tattooing is illegal in some cities and states. The links or dyes used for tattooing are color additives and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved these color additives for use on the skin. Unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious disease, and you cannot donate blood for one year after getting a tattoo. Henna decoration is a plant that is beneficial for most skin types and can act as a sunscreen.

Tattoos are not easily removed and, in some cases, may cause permanent discoloration. Henna body designs will fade naturally in 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the original color of the henna, how long it is left to dry, your skin type, the number of soap-and water washings, and any exfoliation of the area

What are the usual colors of henna decorations?

Depending on your body chemistry and skin color, the designs can appear as orange, red, brown, burgundy, or khaki green. The color of henna is also based on the strength of the dye-paste mixture and the length of time it is left in place.

Caution

To apply henna on hair, you will need only the henna powder and several simple-to-gather items that you probably already have around the house. Avoid using metal bowls or utensils for mixing, as they can react with the natural chemicals present in the henna.

Dos and Don'ts

Do store Henna in a cool, dry, dark place.

Do test your hair's elasticity before applying henna. Pull off a single strand of hair, wrap around index fingers, and stretch. If the strand does not increase by a minimum of one-third, the hair will need preconditioning.

Do check commercial henna hair products for pesticides and heavy-metal testing.Don't use henna in the area of the eye, your eyebrows, or internally.

Don't use henna on newly chemically treated hair; it may cause unplanned hair variations.

Don't coat the hair with henna right before getting a perm. Henna can restrain the activity of the perm chemicals and thus, reverse the perm's results.

Don't use black henna that contains para- phenylenediamine chemicals. It can cause serious inflammation of the skin.

When not to use Henna?

Since Henna leaves are considered body cooling and astringent, folk wisdom advises against henna hair coloring when the air temperature is very cold, when you are sick or when you are pregnant.