Pam Peacock - Henna Artist
About Henna
Henna is a plant native to the Middle East . The leaves are dried, crushed and made into a thick paste. It is soothing to the skin and 100% natural.
Mendhi, the art of Henna, has been used for centuries for body adornment. It is applied to the hands of a bride as part of the wedding ritual and is still practiced today.
The paste has a greenish tint when applied and looks almost black once dried. When removed, the color will be a light orange and will deepen to a rich reddish brown.
Warnings:
Avoid Henna that is black. It contains chemicals harmful to the body.
Your Henna color and how long it lasts will depend on location. Application on the hands and feet are the darkest. Designs toward the center of the body will be lighter. The longer the paste remains on the skin, the darker the color will be and the longer it will last. The stain should last 1-4 weeks; 2 weeks is average.
How long will it last?
To help prevent premature fading:
Avoid contact with water for the first day.
Cover design with Vaseline or Olive Oil before exposure to water. Swimming in chlorine or salt water will quickly fade your Henna.
Use sunscreen before exposure to the sun.
How is it Applied?
Henna is applied directly on the skin, using a plastic bottle with a fine tip. As the paste begins to dry, it is moistened with a sugar and lemon juice solution. This mixture forms a shiny sticky coating which helps the paste adhere to the skin. It is recommended that the paste stay on the skin for at least 4 hours. Remember, the amount of time the paste remains on the skin affects color and longevity.
To help remove the paste, moisten with Olive Oil. Use your fingernail, a credit card, a nail file or any blunt object to gently scrap off the paste. The paste should be removed before showering. Once the paste has been removed, the area can be washed lightly with soap. This should be the only time you wash the Henna tattoo.