• What is Henna
  • How does henna Work
  • Does Henna work on Dark Skin
  • Where are the best places to henna
  • How is henna different from a tattoo
  • How henna darkens
  • How henna fades away
  • What is Black Henna


  • What is Henna

    Henna is a several hundred thousand year old tradition, art form and medium that's beauty has remained timeless through generations and cultures and has openly become a part of modern society. Henna comes from the dried and ground up leaves of the Lawsonia Inermis shrub. Grown in many hot arid climates from Morocco, India, Rajasthani, Asia.. Just to name a few.. this powder is easily transformed into a paste that can be used safely on skin, hair and even your nails. Henna has many uses you might even find it listed in many cosmetics, used as a natural dye and even used for medicinal purposes. In many cultures, henna is used in celebration, to bring good luck and positive energies. and to ward of evil/negative spirits. And today has many extra uses for celebration and enjoying its beauty. from celebrating birth - fighting post partum depression and for that special added touch to a special occasion. for the every day, and even to test out a possible new tattoo... Adding glitter, little gems and even temporary body paints can be used to accentuate your design even more. henna's beauty, the artform and the traditions behind it is endless.. .

    How does henna work

    When Henna paste is applied to the top of your skin, over several hours the natural pigments are absorbed into the upper layers or your dead skin cells. the longer the paste is left on your skin the more it can be absorbed into your skin giving you a darker stain result. PLEASE NOTE: it takes a full 24 hours (up to 48 hours) for the stain to darken. henna stains the skin anywhere from light to dark shades of orange, red, brown, burgundy and near black. Even if you have dark skin, there will be a contrasting stain. Henna paste applied to the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet will stain the darkest, WHY?. skin is thicker there and because of the more layers of skin in these area's there is more skin to absorb the pigment and it also takes longer for your skin to shed there than other areas on your body. The tops of your hands and feet also produce dark stains. Your face and neck will have the lightest stains, because the skin is thinner and because of oils, or repetitive movement its not reccomended to put henna here.

    Can i henna on Dark Skin

    Yes, Absolutly. Beleive it or not, Henna leaves a translucent stain, and will stain any skin color its used on several shades darker than it naturally is already. so the darker you are, the darker the henna will stain on your skin..

    Where are the best places to put henna

    Henna stains can vary depending on the placement on the body. Stains become the darkest and stay longer where skin is the thickest so the palms and tops of your hands, and soles and tops of your feet. whereas, Stains last the shortest where skin is thinnest arms, torso, legs and face/head.

    How is henna different from a tattoo

    Both tattoos and Henna Body Art are ancient artforms. However, Permanent tattoos are applied by tattoo artists using a needle that pierces the skin; the process can be painful. Tattoos are also not easily removed and, in some cases, may cause permanent discoloration. Henna designs are applied with a paste that is inside a icing like bag/ triangle shaped cone or small applicator bottle with a tip that does not pierce the skin. Henna is made from a plant and is beneficial for most skin types and acts as a sunscreen with and without henna paste on. Henna designs will fade naturally in 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the original color of the henna, how long the paste was left on your skin, your skin type, how often you wash the area with soap and water, and any exfoliation of the area, and how often you swim in chlorinated water.

    How Henna Darkens

    Henna Oxidizes like a penny does over 24-48 hours, like magic it will turn from a bright orange stain into red or dark brown, burgundy, chocolate color. The stains of henna can last from one week to 10 days or even longer depending on how long you left the paste on for, and how well you keep your skin moisturized after paste removal prolonging the natural exfoliation process.

    Naturally as your body a grows new layer of skin cells each day, it and also looses dead or dry flakey skin cells, this "shedding" process happens naturally. as the dry or dead skin flakes off you will be loosing little bits of your henna stains until eventually all of your henna design is gone>

    What is black Henna

    Please note: Black Henna is NOT SAFE! Black Henna is very dangerous. what is it?? it is generally a chemical called para-phenylenediamine (PPD), very simply and easily found in hair dye and then added to henna paste to make "black henna".
    Once applied to your skin it is absorbed into your blood, through your organs causing a multitude of unimaginable reactions, illnesses and even damage. your reactions will not neccesarily be immediate. click here for Krystal Wilson's Story a Toronto Resident.
    Public Health Canda has released a statement and recommends that this practice be stopped because there is the potential for long lasting allergy that can seriously harm and even KILL you. it has been banned in canada since 2003 click here to read more...

    its for these reasons, your health and mine, that i dont use black henna. please dont ask or request that i do. there are no exceptions to risk my life, or yours.
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    Last website update: Feb 2009