The Art of Tattoing in Henna – Ensuring You Stay Safe When Going for Your Tatto Henna
If you’ve ever holidayed in Goa, you’ll know that you can’t walk far down any of the mainstream beaches without being offered a henna (or Mendhias it is often called) tattoo from one of the girls working there. Where does it stem from and what should you be aware of if having a tatto henna yourself?
Henna itself is a shrub, the leaves of which can be ground to extract the agent that has the dye property. Using Henna as a natural agent to dye the skin is a practice that is believed to date back as far as the Bronze Age in some of the simplest forms. These days it continues to be just as popular, with bridal Mendhi now being a customary and elaborate process in many parts of Pakistan and Northern India.
The longevity of a tatto henna depends on several factors. The quality and origin of the henna dye will partly determine how long the dye stays on the skin, as will natural variance in skin type. As a general rule you can expect your tattoo in henna to last anywhere from a few days to a whole month.
The Art of Tattoing in Henna – Ensuring You Stay Safe When Going for Your Tatto Henna
When choosing any henna product, it’s crucial to establish that it is natural henna and not so-called ‘Black Henna’. Black henna is actually para-Phenyldiamine (PPD) and is prone to cause terrible and permanent scarring and trigger severe allergies. If ever in doubt it’s probably more sensible to wait until you can see an artist using a product that is clearly staining red-brown or buying a product that’s been recommended to you.
It is also worth being aware that products designed for tattooing henna are not approved in the United States. Products may be confiscated and prosecution is possible although unlikely.
Now you know what to be wary of, it’s time to go and choose the design for your tatto henna!
