If you ever wanted a tattoo but had been afraid of undergoing the procedure of needle but you still wanted or have loved the look of traditional wedding tattoos then this henna tattoo is just for you.
Henna tattoos are basically made from plant-based ink or paste.
They are completely painless and can fade over with time.
Henna comes in different shades of red, orange, brown, and most uniquely blue-black color which gives a beautiful variation of their colors on different skin tones.
If you want to know more about henna tattoo designs which are popular nowadays then keep reading this article.
Henna Tattoo Art
Originally this art started from middle Arab and Asian countries and currently, this traditional and widely used body art is now spread all over the world. Due to its color and dark contrast, it has now gained worldwide popularity.
We will cover all features of henna art in this henna tattoo guide which includes the following queries:
- What is a henna tattoo?
- How different colors of henna are made?
- How do these tattoo designs look?
- What do you know about the history of this ancient and traditional art?
So, stay with us and discover things about henna tattoo art.
What is henna?
Henna is a small flowering plant that is most commonly found in Arab, African, and East Asian countries. Henna leaves are first dried and then crushed to make a fine powdered form. This powder is then mixed with water or lemon juice to make henna paste. Traditionally ladies first used to mix this powder with water and leave it for 24 hours. They then used it the next day for different kinds of body tattoos with better colors.
In addition to that, the henna plant is considered a natural medicinal plant as it is the safest and natural dye for hairs and tattoos without any harmful effects.
What is a henna tattoo?
Henna tattoos are temporary tattoos that women love to have on their different body parts. However, over time they fade over from the skin.
These tattoos are made from the paste which is obtained from the henna plant. This henna paste is applied to the skin with the help of traditional and innovative tools to make a henna tattoo on the body. Mostly a cone of plastic or a jacquard bottle is utilized for making beautiful henna tattoos.
After making a henna tattoo by using henna dye let it sit for 30 minutes. That allows the dye to darken the color. The more time you give this dye to stay on your body the darker color it gives to your skin.
Initially, henna tattoo gives orange shade when the henna paste is first removed then due to oxidation it becomes darker reddish within the next three days.
In Arab and Asian countries henna tattoos are very popular and this body art is also made on special occasions like Eid, bridal and grooms make these tattoos on their engagement and marriages and also on religious festivals and ritual ceremonies.
Related Readings: Best Bumble and Honey Bee Tattoo Ideas and Styles
The most famous name they used for this henna is “Mehndi” which is used in almost every home during traditional functions.
Types of henna tattoo designs
There is a vast range of henna tattoo designs and each design has its own uniqueness. Some types of henna tattoos belong to specific locations with their own beauty. While some are based on their structure and are made on special occasions. Here we mention some most common types of tattoo design for your convenience.
- Arabic henna tattoo design
In middle Arab countries, these are most popular on different occasions. Arabians mostly draw flowering and lines and some beautiful art on hands and legs. Their specialty is that they never fill full henna hand tattoo but leave some space between the designs for its beauty.
- Indian Henna Tattoo Design
The henna tattoo popularly known as mehndi is very common among the women of India. Indian women are most commonly used to draw different patterns or designs in a very classic way. In Indian henna tattoo design, they mostly make circles and curves. The hand is filled with design with different pictures of gods, animals, flowers, and peacocks, etc. to give the design a cultural and traditional look.
- African henna tattoo
These are the most traditional henna tattoo designs. This tattoo includes complex designs with geometric lines and triangle shapes in a very artistic way.
- Simple tattoo design
These are the simplest design made with henna paste. They are small in size with no complexity. People usually tend to make small pictures of flowers or cute cartoon pictures. In addition to that, they also make symbols to show their feelings which look very cool.
- Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)
The design which is made on hand, shoulder, belly, and neck is known as the crown chakra. It is common in both men and women. This henna tattoo is in the form of a complex circle. It symbolizes the knowledge of truth and also that union of the soul to the greater soul.
Henna tattoo ideas
There are different types of henna tattoos according to style and body parts, some of them are listed below:
- Henna leg tattoo
- White henna tattoo
- Henna tattoo with meaning
- Henna flower tattoo
- Henna hand tattoo
- Black henna tattoo
- Small henna tattoo
- Sun henna tattoo
- Henna finger tattoo
- Henna wrist tattoo
- Henna sleeve tattoo
- Henna shoulder tattoo
- Forearm henna tattoo
- Henna thigh tattoo
- Foot henna tattoo
- Henna ankle tattoo
- Henna tattoo feet
- Henna tattoo eyebrow
- Cute henna tattoo
- Simple henna tattoo
Henna tattoo kit
Mehndi designs can be of different types ranging from small or large, simple or complex, symbolic or geometric. No matter whatever the design is they always look beautiful to the eyes. Nowadays it is very easy to design a tattoo because of henna tattoo kits and body painting accessories. These kits include:
- Henna kit powder
- Mixing solution
- Plastic cone bag
- Applicator bottle with a fine tip
- Flat toothpicks for touch-ups
- Tattoo stencil designs
- Thermal stencil transfer sheet
With the help of these tools, any part of the body can be painted with any specially formulated all-natural henna mixture. These henna kits only make stains on the skin which are not permanent and can fade away after only a few weeks of application.
Types of henna tattoo kits
- Starter kit
For People who are new to the field of applying henna, the starter kit is the best option. Starter kits contain a mixture of materials and stencils. They are available all over the markets at very reasonable prices. These kits help to practice henna tattoo designs without investing too much money.
- Premixed kits
These are ready-to-use kits. That is why they mostly include an applicator cone filled with premixed henna. They are commonly used by a group of people in a wedding or any event because they are the easiest to use and apply henna. But their usage requires more skill than most starter kits.
- Powder kits
Powder kits need you to mix dry henna powder with water or essential oils before application. This process is not easy for few individuals as it creates a mess. However, the powder kits stay on the skin for a longer time and are easier to store.
Shades
Mostly the traditional henna paste is found in naturally red-brown color. However, it can be lighter or darker in shade. In addition, we can add dyes that change the tattoo color to black, pink, red, white, blue, and many more.
Features
- Applicators
The most common types of applicators used for henna tattoos are
- Henna pens that usually don’t last long on the skin
- Disposable cones that help in dispensing henna on the skin through a very small tip
- Reusable Squeeze bottles that work as cones but their different size nozzles help you to create more versatile designs
- Stencils
Henna tattoo kits which have stencils are very convenient for beginners or for those people who cannot draw the designs frequently. These stencils have an adhesive back that prevents them from sliding over the skin and allows you to create amazing designs.
- Extras
Some henna tattoo kits have extra items for the customers which help the designer to work more easily. These include the following items:
- Transfer paper for custom designs
- For powder henna, essential oils
- Nylon cloth for straining the henna paste and many other things
Tips
- Before applying henna always wash and dry your hands
- First test your design on a piece of paper with an applicator
- Use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process of henna if you are in a hurry
- Cover your henna tattoo with plastic wrap after applying it. After covering allow it to sit another six to twelve hours for darker color
- Always use protective gloves on your hands while applying henna to any body part just to avoid stains.
Henna kits Do’s and Don’ts
Henna is present in the market in a number of grades so you should know about them very well before buying. The following are some of the important things to notice while choosing henna tattoo kits.
- Choose the henna powder which is finely sifted, because it is handcrafted
- Read the ingredients. It should be 100% natural and organic.
- It should have lawsone which is a naturally occurring dye produced by henna leaves.
- The dye should create a reddish-brown color on your skin.
- Mix some lemon juice, sugar, and essential oils with henna powder to enhance its staining effect
- Henna should not have chemicals like PPD. It is added to produce a black henna tattoo. It is a harmful substance and can cause damage to the skin.
- Always do a simple skin test on any part of your body just to see that henna is not allergic to your skin.
- After allergy tests, you are safe enough to apply henna even on your eyebrows.
Henna Tattoo FAQs
Q.no. 1: How long does a henna tattoo last on your body?
Ans: As you know henna tattoos are temporary. They usually last on your skin for two to three weeks. However, to some extent fading also depends on the position where the tattoo is located. Like in areas that are exposed to water, soap, etc. will fade more quickly for example from your hands and feet.
On the other hand, henna tattoos stay longer on covered areas like the shoulder, belly, etc. Furthermore, you can make a henna tattoo last longer by simply exfoliating and shaving your skin before applying it. It means you should not apply henna ink on dead skin.
Q.no. 2: Does henna tattoo hurt? Are they painful?
Ans: No, henna tattoos are not painful. They do not hurt. You will not feel any pain while henna tattooing because the henna paste is just applied over your skin. It does not penetrate your skin with needles.
While in some other tattooing processes, the ink is injected under your skin with the help of tattoo needles and they make u suffer a lot of pain.
Q.no. 3: Are henna tattoos safe to use?
Ans: Yes, they are almost safe to use. Most traditional henna tattoos use natural and organic materials which are safe to use on your skin.
The dye doesn’t penetrate the skin and your bloodstream so it is safe to use.
However, these may cause some allergic reactions to the skin sometimes.
In order to avoid this, you should always do a small spot test on your skin.
Furthermore, henna tattoos should not be applied to children especially those who have glucose 6 –phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Q.no. 4: How to remove the stain of henna tattoo?
Ans: The stain cannot be removed by simple water so to remove it we will have to use something special.
Some silicon-based makeup removers can help you in this matter as they can lift the color. But, remember you will have to do the procedure several times for the complete removal of the tattoo.
In addition to that, micellar water and some particular hair conditioner can also help in removing the stain.
Q. no.5: How to make the henna tattoo design fading process quicker?
Ans: in order to make the fading process quicker, you can follow the below-given procedure:
- First, take a salt bath
- Then add a cup of regular salt to a warm bath
- Soak your tattoo design in it for 20 minutes.
- Next, buff away the tattoo using a natural exfoliator like a sugar scrub.
- Lastly, wash your hands and dry them. Then apply a mild cream or moisturizer.
About Author
