Henna tattoos have grown in popularity in the United States because they offer the likeness of a tattoo without the pain and discomfort of a needle. Today, there are a variety of henna tattoo patterns available ranging from tribal henna tattoos to simple henna butterflies, stars and a variety of other patterns.
History of Henna Tattoos
Henna tattoos originated from areas in Africa, Australia and Asia. The practice of henna tattoos has been a prominent part of many tribal cultures for thousands of years. Usually, henna tattooing is associated with women. This is because women generally tattoo each other with the henna ink paste for ceremonial occasions and celebrations.
In India and other regions, henna is commonly referred to as “Mendhi,” or “Mehendi.” Traditionally, these tattoos are placed on the hands and feet.
Where Does Henna Ink Come From and How is it Made?
Henna (also known as Hina,) is actually a plant. This flowering species can be found in Australia, parts of Asia and Africa and thrives in warm, arid climates.
In order to create the ink, leaves from the henna plant are dried in a dark space. Sunlight is thought to destroy some of the staining properties of the plant. Once the leaves are dried, they are ground into a powder-like substance.
When it is ready to be used, the powder is mixed with lemon juice, saliva or another liquid (depending on the region,) to create a paste. The henna paste is actually the henna tattoo ink which is then applied on the skin.
Traditionally, henna ink is applied to the skin using a henna pen, but today there are many new modern tools that can be used to apply the ink. After the ink has been applied, it must be left to sit several hours before it can be removed. When finished, the process leaves behind a stain on the skin which is known as the henna tattoo, or mendhi.
How Long does Henna Last?
How long a henna tattoo lasts can vary from person to person. Generally these tattoos can last up to four weeks or as little as four days. Tattoos placed on the hands or feet last longer than tattoos placed on the arms, legs or back. This is because the skin there is thicker than the skin on other areas of the body. The thicker the skin, the deeper the dye will soak into the skin.
What is Black Henna and is Black Henna Really Dangerous?
Unfortunately, any henna artist that uses “black henna,” is putting the wearer at serious risk. Black henna is unnatural because it uses a mixture of para-phenylenediamine or “PPD.” Traditional, safe henna takes between six and twelve hours to fully sink into the skin. Any henna that sinks into the skin quicker is a potential health hazard because it has been mixed with chemicals that are not safe.
Black henna causes blistering and itching of the skin. It also causes the skin to become permanently damaged. Scarring occurs and in some cases, the skin also loses its pigmentation and remains permanently white.
Unfortunately there may be those who have allergic reactions to safe henna ink, but this is a very small group of people. Henna tattoos are a beautiful example of spreading world culture. Overall, traditional henna tattoos are safe for the vast majority of people.
 |
