Does it hurt?
The answer is no. Henna is applied as a cream and is pain free as no skin is broken and nothing is injected into the skin. When the paste is applied, it gives a cooling sensation due to the cooling properties of the henna plant. Henna is often used as a pampering, relaxing session because of its therapeutic nature. It feels much like a lotion and is perfect to be applied in warmer months as it is cooling and soothing to the skin.
How Long does it last?
Once the henna paste is applied to the skin and left on the skin for 24-48 hours, and the recommended after-care is followed, henna stain can last for a few weeks. Since you wash your hands often and the skin exfoliates in the palms much faster, henna on hands can last from 1 – 1 1/2 weeks. On the rest of the body, including arms, legs and on torso, it can take upto 3 weeks for the henna stain to disappear.
What color is it?
Henna will never dye black, blue, purple or any other color than its own. Natural henna, when made with quality and safe ingredients, always dyes the skin in reddish-brown tones. The intensity of the stain depends on the aftercare. Henna is never black.
There has been an influx of “white henna” in the social profiles online that has left many people wondering the authenticity of this product. While “white henna” is not similar to natural henna, it has the potential to be safe as long as it is applied using FDA safe products. It is normally made using body safe paints, mica powder, body safe adhesives and glitter powders. These products are then applied on the skin in the henna-like patterns we are seeing today. “White Henna” does not stain the skin like henna, it simply stays on top of the skin and resists water for up to a week.
Unfortunately, in the hunt for this product, many have resorted to potential known and lab tested carcinogenic ingredients. It is important to ensure your safety and safety of those who are receiving the design by using harmless ingredients. There are several products available through different suppliers that are approved and safe for the skin.
Is Henna safe?
Henna plant is one of the oldest cosmetically used plants, as old as 5000 years, and is completely safe. Its natural ingredients makes it safe to use even on children as it contains no dangerous chemical dyes and harsh additives. The only people advised against the use of henna are those that have napthaquinone sensitivity or G6PD.
There is no such thing as black henna. In order to produce the black color often found in certain popular tourist areas, in the beaches or down in Mexico, the henna powder has been tampered with chemical dyes that are unsafe for your skin. A chemical dye known as PPD, which is not authorized for use on the skin by the FDA, is often added to the natural henna paste to produce that black color. PPD has been known to cause liver and kidney damage, severe third-degree burns and other allergic reactions as well as scarring of the skin. Black henna should always be avoided. It is important to be informed of the characteristics and qualities of the black paste.
Can I Use Henna During Pregnancy?
Yes you can! Henna is safe for use through all walks of life. In fact, North American tradition of henna has included the ever-popular belly blessing henna design which is applied towards the end of a woman’s pregnancy for beautification and photo-ops. You should let your artist know if you are pregnant beforehand as the henna paste needs to be made with pregnancy-safe essential oils.