We've got answers.
What is henna?
Henna is a plant (lawsonia inermis) that grows in areas such as the northern Indian subcontinent, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. When henna leaves are crushed or powdered and mixed with a liquid, they produce a natural red dye. This dye can stain skin, hair, fingernails and natural cloth. Henna also refers to the paste made from the plant as well as the art of henna decorating itself. The word "henna" (sometimes spelled "hinna" or "hina") is most often used in Semitic languages such as Arabic and Hebrew.
Where did henna originate?
We know that the ancient Egyptians used henna. In fact, henna may be mankind's oldest cosmetic, dating all the way back to the beginning of recorded history. Henna was not only a cosmetic, it was used as medicine. Henna leaf paste is antimicrobial and antifungal. It removes heat from the body, and a henna stain is a 100-percent sunblock.
What is mehndi?
"Mehndi" is simply another word for henna, also spelled "mehendi" or "mehandi." This term is most common in Southeast Asian languages such as Hindi.
How does henna work?
The artist pipes henna paste onto the skin, similar to how a cake decorator pipes icing onto a cake. The paste sits on the skin at least one hour, preferably several. When the paste is removed, it leaves behind an orange stain. Over the next 24-72 hours, the orange color darkens to a reddish brown color. (Natural henna is NOT black!) Henna application does not involve needles or piercing the skin.
Is henna permanent? How long does it last?
Henna isn't permanent. The skin cells that are dyed by the henna will eventually die and be scrubbed away, replaced by new skin cells. It takes anywhere from 5 days to 3 weeks for a stain to fade completely.
Is henna a tattoo?
Technically speaking, no. Even though you may have seen signs advertising "henna tattoos," it's misleading. A true tattoo involves surgically implanting ink in the skin with a needle. Henna is a completely different art form with its own history. However, some clients enjoy trying henna before deciding to get an ink tattoo, and we welcome requests to "test drive" a design.
Is henna safe?
For the vast majority of clients age 8 and above, yes. If you don't have a G6PD deficiency (and if you do, you know it), henna is fine as long as you're not allergic to any of our henna paste ingredients, which are:
But I've heard news reports about henna causing severe burns and scarring.
Every single one of those cases was caused by "black" henna, which isn't real henna at all — it's a horrible product that contains synthetic hair dye. We NEVER, EVER use "black" henna, and here's why.
Then why does your henna look black in some photographs?
Probably because it's a photograph of the henna paste while it's still on the skin. Once the paste comes off, what's left behind is an orange stain that turns red-brown.
Darn. I really wanted black henna.
Well – we have some options! One is jagua, which is made from the South American fruit genipa americana. It works similarly to henna but dyes the skin navy blue. If you have very dark skin, the stain will be close to black. We also can use Henna Glam, a temporary cosmetic paint (non-staining) to create a mehndi-like design. It's durable but removable, and it comes in black, white and many other beautiful colors.
But I have really dark skin – will red henna even show up?
For most people, yes. For the deepest skin tones, we recommend jagua or a mixture of henna paste and jagua juice, which produces a very deep, cool brown tone.
Is henna okay for children?
Our minimum age is 6 years old for henna application for a few reasons:
Do you have any alternatives to henna? Anything for young kids?
Yes! We have options if you can't have henna or don't want something that's gonna hang around for a few weeks:
Is henna a religious practice?
Strictly speaking, no. It is common for people to use henna for religious occasions (by Muslims for Eid or by Hindus for Diwali, for example), and some people use religious symbols in their henna designs. However, henna is used worldwide by Jews, Christians, Sikhs and many other religious groups. If you wear henna, no one is going to assume you are of any particular religion. Henna is primarily a decorative art; how you use it and what it means is up to you.
Am I "stealing" someone else's culture by using henna?
Oh, boy ... this is a hot topic, and the answer depends entirely on who you ask!
On the one hand, the art of henna crossed religious, cultural and national boundaries long before anyone in our part of the world knew what it was, so you really cannot say it "belongs" to any one, single group of people.
On the other hand, minority groups in this country are right to complain when their own traditions are looked down upon, only to be turned into something trendy and acceptable once it's embraced by white culture. For example, bindi (dots of red powder — vermilion — worn between the brows) are worn by Hindu women upon marriage. Some traditional women in Western societies have found themselves being asked to remove this important symbol of their faith and their marital status. Then, bindi morphed into sparkly jewels, and Bollywood films inspired Western consumers to adopt bindi as a sort of "costume."
I'm not saying it's never okay to wear bindi if you're not a Hindu, but be aware of its original purpose and acknowledge its origins. Timing and context can make a difference. This can go a long way toward repairing some of the damage we do when uneducated Westerners take on aspects of non-Western cultures.
Having said that, if you don't come from a family or culture with a henna tradition, it's a good idea to show respect for them and for henna in the following ways:
Henna is a plant (lawsonia inermis) that grows in areas such as the northern Indian subcontinent, northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. When henna leaves are crushed or powdered and mixed with a liquid, they produce a natural red dye. This dye can stain skin, hair, fingernails and natural cloth. Henna also refers to the paste made from the plant as well as the art of henna decorating itself. The word "henna" (sometimes spelled "hinna" or "hina") is most often used in Semitic languages such as Arabic and Hebrew.
Where did henna originate?
We know that the ancient Egyptians used henna. In fact, henna may be mankind's oldest cosmetic, dating all the way back to the beginning of recorded history. Henna was not only a cosmetic, it was used as medicine. Henna leaf paste is antimicrobial and antifungal. It removes heat from the body, and a henna stain is a 100-percent sunblock.
What is mehndi?
"Mehndi" is simply another word for henna, also spelled "mehendi" or "mehandi." This term is most common in Southeast Asian languages such as Hindi.
How does henna work?
The artist pipes henna paste onto the skin, similar to how a cake decorator pipes icing onto a cake. The paste sits on the skin at least one hour, preferably several. When the paste is removed, it leaves behind an orange stain. Over the next 24-72 hours, the orange color darkens to a reddish brown color. (Natural henna is NOT black!) Henna application does not involve needles or piercing the skin.
Is henna permanent? How long does it last?
Henna isn't permanent. The skin cells that are dyed by the henna will eventually die and be scrubbed away, replaced by new skin cells. It takes anywhere from 5 days to 3 weeks for a stain to fade completely.
Is henna a tattoo?
Technically speaking, no. Even though you may have seen signs advertising "henna tattoos," it's misleading. A true tattoo involves surgically implanting ink in the skin with a needle. Henna is a completely different art form with its own history. However, some clients enjoy trying henna before deciding to get an ink tattoo, and we welcome requests to "test drive" a design.
Is henna safe?
For the vast majority of clients age 8 and above, yes. If you don't have a G6PD deficiency (and if you do, you know it), henna is fine as long as you're not allergic to any of our henna paste ingredients, which are:
- 100-percent pure, organic henna leaf
- Distilled water
- Sucrose (table sugar)
- Essential oil of lavender OR cajeput (same botanical family as tea tree)
But I've heard news reports about henna causing severe burns and scarring.
Every single one of those cases was caused by "black" henna, which isn't real henna at all — it's a horrible product that contains synthetic hair dye. We NEVER, EVER use "black" henna, and here's why.
Then why does your henna look black in some photographs?
Probably because it's a photograph of the henna paste while it's still on the skin. Once the paste comes off, what's left behind is an orange stain that turns red-brown.
Darn. I really wanted black henna.
Well – we have some options! One is jagua, which is made from the South American fruit genipa americana. It works similarly to henna but dyes the skin navy blue. If you have very dark skin, the stain will be close to black. We also can use Henna Glam, a temporary cosmetic paint (non-staining) to create a mehndi-like design. It's durable but removable, and it comes in black, white and many other beautiful colors.
But I have really dark skin – will red henna even show up?
For most people, yes. For the deepest skin tones, we recommend jagua or a mixture of henna paste and jagua juice, which produces a very deep, cool brown tone.
Is henna okay for children?
Our minimum age is 6 years old for henna application for a few reasons:
- Children under 6 years could have a G6PD deficiency without knowing it. People with this deficiency who receive henna can develop anemia.
- Young children's skin may be too sensitive to the essential oils used in our paste.
- Henna STAINS. C'mon, parents ... do you really want your kid walking around with something on their hand that can permanently stain their clothes? Carpet? The dog?
Do you have any alternatives to henna? Anything for young kids?
Yes! We have options if you can't have henna or don't want something that's gonna hang around for a few weeks:
- Jagua: Stains blue-black. No issues with G6PD deficiency. Okay for 6 and up as long as you don't have a fruit allergy.
- Henna Glam: A non-staining cosmetic paint available in multiple colors. The paint sits on the skin's surface. It can last 1-5 days but also can be easily removed.
- Metallic and Glitter Mehndi: Applied with an acrylic adhesive topped with metallic cosmetic powder or glitter. Durable and waterproof — can last up to a week.
- Glitter Tattoos: Really fun and colorful temporary tattoos that are absolutely perfect for kids age 3 and up. Applied with nothing but acrylic adhesive and cosmetic glitter.
Is henna a religious practice?
Strictly speaking, no. It is common for people to use henna for religious occasions (by Muslims for Eid or by Hindus for Diwali, for example), and some people use religious symbols in their henna designs. However, henna is used worldwide by Jews, Christians, Sikhs and many other religious groups. If you wear henna, no one is going to assume you are of any particular religion. Henna is primarily a decorative art; how you use it and what it means is up to you.
Am I "stealing" someone else's culture by using henna?
Oh, boy ... this is a hot topic, and the answer depends entirely on who you ask!
On the one hand, the art of henna crossed religious, cultural and national boundaries long before anyone in our part of the world knew what it was, so you really cannot say it "belongs" to any one, single group of people.
On the other hand, minority groups in this country are right to complain when their own traditions are looked down upon, only to be turned into something trendy and acceptable once it's embraced by white culture. For example, bindi (dots of red powder — vermilion — worn between the brows) are worn by Hindu women upon marriage. Some traditional women in Western societies have found themselves being asked to remove this important symbol of their faith and their marital status. Then, bindi morphed into sparkly jewels, and Bollywood films inspired Western consumers to adopt bindi as a sort of "costume."
I'm not saying it's never okay to wear bindi if you're not a Hindu, but be aware of its original purpose and acknowledge its origins. Timing and context can make a difference. This can go a long way toward repairing some of the damage we do when uneducated Westerners take on aspects of non-Western cultures.
Having said that, if you don't come from a family or culture with a henna tradition, it's a good idea to show respect for them and for henna in the following ways:
- Do a little reading up on henna and its history (here's a great place to start), and ask questions. Show curiosity!
- Please consider getting a traditional design before asking for for the latest trend in ink tattoos. Part of the art of henna is the amazing variety of patterns and designs that artists have developed over thousands of years. Check it out!
- Please don't say, "Well I have real tattoos!" Henna is not a "fake tattoo" — it's not trying to be a tattoo.
- Please don't get henna if you've been drinking heavily or are otherwise impaired. It's uncomfortable for the artist and shows a lack of respect.
- Unless an artist is offering "boudoir body art" at an appropriate event or location, please do not ask to have intimate parts of your body decorated — even if you're joking. It's obnoxious, we've heard it all before, and it's borderline sexual harassment. Just don't.
- Likewise, please do not ask for rude or pornographic designs, especially at family-friendly public events.