Everything you need to know about a Henna tattoo

Henna tattoos are very popular in Morocco and India. They are used especially for traditional weddings in these countries. They seek to draw attention to the beauty of their bodies and usually cover their hands and feet. These are temporary tattoos made with henna with decorations in geometric shapes and figures.

What is henna?

Henna is completely natural and comes from a plant called Lawsonia Inermis . This shrub has been cultivated in North Africa and South Asia for thousands of years. It has always been used to create hair dyes , paint nails, and color skin, leather or wool.

The preparation of henna is done after crushing the leaves and twigs of the plant. You can also make the paste with dry leaves and hot water.

How long does it take to make a henna design?

The process of making the tattoo takes between about 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the design chosen. For example, bridal hand designs take around two hours to make.

After the henna paste has been applied, it must be allowed to dry for about 5 to 10 minutes, after which a mixture of lemon juice and sugar is sprayed so that the design adheres better to the skin.

When henna tattoo paste is applied to the skin and allowed to dry, it changes its color to a reddish or brownish tone depending on the intensity. Although this may vary depending on the person's skin type and area to be tattooed.

What is the art of applying henna ink called?

The term associated with applying henna ink on the skin is Mehndi . The art of mehndi has a long tradition in many cultures, but today it is prevalent in Morocco and India. This art has been unknown in the West until the 90s when migrations to other countries began. Currently, we can find mehndi kits in Arabic craft stores to be used on our skin.

How long does a henna tattoo last?

As it is a temporary tattoo made with a natural ingredient, little by little the color stain it leaves on the skin will disappear. Normally, it usually takes between 7 to 14 days to disappear completely.

If you want to remove a henna tattoo ahead of time , when making the mark on the superficial part of the skin, it would be enough to wash it several times with warm or hot water and soap.

History of tattoos with henna paste

The exact origin of henna tattoos is not known, since the tradition dates back to ancient Egypt. The name henna does indeed come from Arabic.

The Egyptians used the Lawsonia Inermis plant to treat infections, inflammations and against the bite of snakes and scorpions. It is said that even Cleopatra herself used henna to worship her body . It was also used to paint the nails of the mummies buried in the pyramids.

What meanings do mehndi tattoos have?

The art of applying henna to feet and hands has traditionally been used for celebrations such as weddings, births, festivals and religious holidays. Although it is true that each culture has its own meanings:

• Henna tattoos for India : They are usually used to paint brides' hands with henna. Motifs such as flowers, butterflies, lotus, peacock, fish, among others, symbolize different goods and virtues such as joy, prosperity, sensuality, purity, eternal love, knowledge, vitality...
• Henna in Morocco : Moroccans usually draw symbols that help protect against the evil eye. Since they consider that it has positive powers and gives them luck, beauty and protects them against diseases. The designs are made with flowers, leaves and stems and are less complex. Although we can find verses from the Koran, Arabic writing, numbers and body parts. They are usually used for special occasions, weddings and parties.

In short, henna is a natural paste that has been with us for thousands of years, which has been used by Arab and Hindu culture and we can still see this wonderful art today.