What is Henna?

Henna or mehndi is the ancient art of painting the body with a paste made from the leaves of the henna plant. Henna has been used for at least 9,000 years and predates Christian times. It has been used by a wide variety of cultures from North Africa, the Middle East and India. The use of henna has been used for the preparation and beautification of brides, for coming of age ceremonies, the painting of protective amulets on warhorses and even for adornment for favoritism into the next life after suicide.

How does it work?

The paste is painted on the skin using either a bottle or a small bag in varying types of designs and left to dry.
Once dry, the paste is left on as long as possible, usually overnight. The next morning the paste is removed and underneath is a dark orange color that deepens over the next 12-24 hours to a final color ranging from black cherry red to a deep expresso brown.

How long does it last?

Henna can last from a few days up to a month on certain areas of the body, and there are many factors that determine how long the stain will last. Hands and feet will take the best color, other areas such as the back and abdomen stain a lighter color. To guarantee a good stain, you need to keep the paste on the skin as long as possible (overnight is best), and covered with gauze or toilet paper to keep it warm. It is also important to moisturize the henna with a natural moisturizer (like olive oil) and avoid rubbing and harsh chemicals like chlorine pools and cleaning products.

Does it hurt?

No, the act of henna painting is painless and actually quite relaxing. The paste is laid onto the skin similarly to the act of decorating a cake and there is no invasion of the skin. On a hot day the cooling oils in the paste draw heat out of the body and is quite refreshing!