What is Henna?

Henna, also known as Mehendi, is a purely herbal and natural dye paste, made from powdered henna leaves. It is applied directly on the skin and, as the paste dries and eventually falls off, it leaves behind a beautiful stain on your skin of the pattern that was painted with the paste.

What are some traditions regarding Henna?

Henna (Mehndi) has been used to decorate the body for centuries in all kinds of different countries and cultures around the world. It is popularly applied to signify a kind of celebration, such as, weddings, religious holidays, arrival of a newborn, etc. It has also been used as a natural hair dye, conditioner and even a coolant on hot days.

What is it made from?

Henna (Mehndi) is made from dried and ground henna leaves which are farmed in warmer climate regions. You can get prepared henna cones from the store, however, its better to know what the ingredients are in the henna cone before using it, sometimes they can be filled with all kinds of chemicals, preservatives and industrial oils that can harm your skin. Zehra’s Henna is purely herbal and has no added chemicals and also gives a rich color naturally.

Does henna come in different colors?

Henna does not come in many colors. It dye’s in different shades of browns, reds and oranges.  If it is good quality henna, it can create a very strong color and create a spectacular contrast against your skin color. It does not matter what color your skin is or if you have hair grown on it, henna will give a unique color and shade on every individual.

Then what is “Black Henna”?

There is no such thing as naturally produced black henna, so beware of that. It is made by adding a black hair dye chemical known as PPD and can cause skin allergy or inflammation.

Does application of henna hurt?

Nope, its pain-free. Its like painting. It gives a cooling tingling affect sometimes, so you might want something to keep you warm on chilly days, or you might enjoy its cooling effect on hot days!

How can you get a really dark stain for henna?

.1.The longer you keep your henna paste on, even after it has dried, the darker the stain will be. Keep it on for at least 4 - 8 hours. It is commonly suggested to keep it overnight.

.2.If you place a tissue on the design and wrap it with cling wrap or a plastic bag, it will keep the henna warm and moist all night and give you a really dark stain in the morning.

.3.You can also frequently wet the design every 20 min with an equal parts mixture of lemon juice and sugar, dab it on with a cotton ball and then let it dry. Rewetting helps the henna to release more dye.

.4.Warmth and heat makes the henna release more dye too, like exposure to the sun. Or you can use a candle or stove top as a heat source to warm your henna, just like you would in a cold night next to a fireplace. Also try heating cloves on a pan, its incense is believed to make the stain darker.  Do this frequently when the dry henna is still on.

How do you remove the dried henna?

You can either leave the dried henna on until it slowly drops off by itself or you can scrape it off with your finger nail or file. Avoid soap and water because it can fade the stain. Even after you remove the dried henna, your henna design will darken within 48 hours. If the henna is really hard to scrape off, you can use oil or lemon juice, or both, on a cotton ball to rub the henna off.

How should you take care of your stain to make it last?

A good henna stain will last at least one week and can take up to 3 weeks or more to completely disappear. To take care of your stain, never go in a swimming pool with chlorine, as that will bleach the henna color. If you do go, always rub a little bit of oil on the pattern or a deodorant, like a speed stick. This will protect the stain from contacting the water and chlorine. Take the same precautions when taking a bath or washing the area. Avoid the use of scrubs and loofas on your stain.

How can you get rid of a henna stain?

Taking a swim in the pool, washing it with soap and water, scrubbing it with a loofa, etc. will all help to fade the stain faster.