How To Take Care Of Henna Tattoo?

Henna tattoos are cheap, temporary, bold in color, and known for their intricate designs. But, Henna tattoos need a specific aftercare routine or they might fade quicker. You might think, I don’t know how to take care of a henna tattoo, how can I take care of it?

Firstly, you have to ensure using a good-quality paste for the tattoo. And, it’s a must to clean the skin properly before getting the tattoo. Let it settle and keep it moist and as long as you can. Keep it warm and apply lemon juice and sugar mix on the design for a darker stain. Keep it as long as you can. Use natural oils as moisturizers as chemicals are not suited to them.

In this article, we have discussed the safety level offered by henna tattoos, how to take care of them and how to remove it. So, Let’s cut to the chase and dive into the article.

Is Henna Tattoo Safe For All?

Henna is totally safe to use. It’s a natural paste that is made from grinding henna leaves. While the henna paste is safe, some might be allergic to it and you have to avoid black henna as it can cause some problems.

Henna paste has been used in Southeast Asia, Africa, and The Carribeans for thousands of years. The paste is completely natural and is made out of ground fresh henna leaves.

The paste is applied on the clean skin to create intricate designs and left to dry. After the paste dries completely, it’s removed and the area is washed to present you with your tattoo.

The color of henna is a vivid shade of reddish-orange which intensifies if the paste is left longer.

Henna paste is completely safe. For thousands of years, people have been using it and they still used it. The henna application is a must-rite in south Asian weddings. There are no known side risks associated with it. But, some people might be allergic to it.

The allergy might present itself in the following signs-

• Rash
• Redness
• Pimples
• Itching

If any one of the following signs shows up after applying the henna paste, then stop the tattooing process. Remove the henna paste and apply some ointment.

Another thing to look out for is black henna. Henna is naturally green and leaves a light color on the skin. Some add artificial coloring and components to make the henna color more vibrant and dark.

This creates the so-called ‘Black henna’.  Black henna is known for its dark coloring and long-lasting life. But, it is not so safe. Sometimes, The mixture of henna with other chemicals makes it toxic and it can result in skin damage.

So, avoid black henna and use natural ones.

How To Take Care Of a Henna Tattoo

Now, Let’s cut to the chase and talk about how to take care of your henna tattoo. It is a very tedious process and should be followed to the last syllable.

Getting The Henna Paste

Firstly, You have to ensure that you have a good-quality henna paste. This is a very important step. Good quality paste ensures that you get a great color and that the paste won’t harm your skin. Talk to your artist about the paste. Make sure it is properly made and no chemicals are added to it.

Clean The Spot

Secondly, wash the area where you want the tattoo to be drawn. You have to get rid of residual sweat and dirt in that area. Take a normal bath or shower. Dry the area with a clean cloth.

If you are a bride, take a shower. It takes four hours to properly design the hand and feet. So, be patient.

Let The Henna Settle and Dry

This is an important step. After applying the henna, keep your distance from anything that might ruin the design. It takes an average of 20-30 minutes for the henna to dry. But, the time depends on the weather and the humidity.

Air drying the henna is the best. During this process, lawsone molecules of henna bond with your protein cells. But, use a hairdryer to dry it. Once the paste is dry, don’t rub anything against the design. Keep the henna moist to ensure the best color.

Keep The Paste for a Long and Moist

It might be confusing; why should you dry it when I have to moisten it?

The henna paste is like toothpaste. You have to dry it for the design to stay intact while the juices penetrate your skin.

Once it dries, the color won’t get deeper. So, keep it enough moist that the juices don’t stop flowing

Keep It Warm

In a warm climate, the henna stains better. The reason is that warmth allows the colors to penetrate the skin better and gives deep color.

Time

The longer you keep the paste, the more beautiful the color is. Keep it on for at least one hour. The more you keep it, the more deep the color will be.

Apply Natural Oil As Moisturizer

After scrubbing the henna off, avoid using moisturizers or creams that are chemically composed. Use natural oils as moisturizers. Coconut oil and olive oil are the best ones.

Some Tips Regarding Henna Tattoos

• Try to avoid direct water contact with the henna tattoo. Water might increase the rate of fading and the tattoo might go away before time.
• Henna just loves the warmth. Warm temperatures give you a deeper and bolder stain. Keep your hands warm after you have removed the paste.
• Try to avoid baths and take showers instead. Apply a non-exfoliating balm or coconut oil on the tattoo before showering. This will create a short-term barrier, preventing water from coming into direct contact with it.
• If you want to reduce the drying time of henna a henna tattoo, grab a cotton ball and apply a paste made from equal parts sugar and lemon. This would help the paste to stick to the skin.

How To Remove Henna Tattoo

Henna tattoos are known for their brief lifetime. They fade away after 2-3 weeks. But, sometimes you might want to remove your design for an interview or you might want to get a new design and have to remove the old one to start the new one. Then, you have no choice but to remove it.

Here’s what you can do in that case.

Take a Salt Water Soak

It is a very traditional way to remove henna tattoos. Salts are exfoliating agents as they can remove the dye from your skin quickly.

The sodium present in salts enriches your living skin cells while getting rid of dead skin cells. You can use any type of salt to remove henna tattoos. Even, table salt is as good as go.

Half-fill a bathtub with warm water. Pour about half a cup of salt into warm water. Soak in it for 20 minutes and scrub the tattooed area.

Use An Exfoliating Scrub

Another sure way to remove your henna tattoo is by rubbing the skin with an exfoliating agent such as apricot or brown sugar or charcoal.  Buy a soap, body wash, or facewash that contains exfoliating agents. Scrub your henna tattoo thoroughly to make sure it goes away.

 Keep in mind to use a moisturizer or coconut oil after exfoliating your henna tattoo.

Olive Oil and Salt Mixture

Another home remedy to remove a henna tattoo is an olive oil and salt mixture. This mixture strips away the henna pigment from your skin while exfoliating it.

Mix one cup of olive oil with 3-4 tablespoons of salt. Use a cotton swab and fully coat your skin. Wait for a few minutes and start rubbing with a wet washcloth.

Anti-Bacterial Soap

Anti-bacterial soaps have a high alcohol content and exfoliating scrubbing beads in them. These things can easily remove henna dye from your skin but require repeated usage. Scrub the tattooed area with a block of anti-bacterial soap a few times. But, be aware of drying out your skin.

Use a moisturizing cream on your body to reduce any moisture loss.

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Mixture

Lemon juice is a well-known skin-lightening agent and Baking soda is an exfoliating agent. Mixing them creates a perfect combo that strips away the henna dye from your skin in an instant.

Take a half cup of warm water and pour one tablespoon of baking soda and two teaspoons of lemon juice into it. Apply the mixture using a cotton swab and wait for it to soak into your skin. Keep repeating until the tattoo goes away.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste might seem an odd option but it actually works! The whitening agents in toothpaste act as an exfoliating agent to get rid of the dye from your skin.

Apply a generous amount of toothpaste on the tattoo and let it dry. After drying, take an old toothbrush and gently scrub the toothpaste off.

Hydrogen Peroxide

While Hydrogen Peroxide can lighten your skin’s natural appearance, this method takes a couple of tries to remove the tattoo completely.

You have to use diluted hydrogen peroxide which is created for cosmetic use. Apply the diluted hydrogen peroxide to the tattooed area. After a number of applications, the tattoo will go away.

Coconut Oil and Raw Sugar

A combination of coconut oil and raw cane sugar creates a powerful exfoliation agent with powerful qualities.

Rub the oil on your tattoo and wait for it to be fully absorbed. After fully absorbing it, layer the raw sugar on top and rub it fully. Take a  loofah and remove the mixture from your skin.

Makeup Remover

Makeup removers can be used to remove the henna tattoo safely and easily. You have to use silicone-based makeup removal to get rid of it.

Take a cotton swab or Q-tip to fully exfoliate it and remove the makeup remover with a dry cloth. You have to use it a couple of times before it fully goes away.

Is There Any Disadvantage To Henna Tattoos?

While henna is a safe and much-loved tattoo option, it has some disadvantages that might rethink your position about henna.

• The henna tattoo presents a light color. The color may not be as dark or bold as other tattoo options.
• Henna tattoos are quick to fade. You may have to get a touch-up done soon after getting a henna tattoo.
• Some people might exhibit allergic symptoms after applying henna to their skin.

So, before getting a henna tattoo, think about these disadvantages. Make a calm and collected decision.

Wrapping Up

Well, Now you know how to take care of the henna tattoo.

Ensure that your henna paste is of good quality. Clean the area properly and apply the henna. Give it time to settle and ensure that the tattoo stays moist for a long. Keep the tattoo warm and massage it with lemon juice and sugar mix for a darker stain.

Keep it for a long as more time ensures more dark color. Use a good moisturizer but remember that chemical-composed moisturizers are not suited for it and use natural oil as moisturizers.

We hope this article helped you with your quarries and answered any problems that you have faced. Now, get your henna paste ready and get tatted up.