Henna is a paste made from the leaves and twigs of the henna plant, which is a plant that grows in the states of South Asia and North Africa. When henna is applied to the skin, it leaves a paint that varies in color from orange to dark red, which fades within 1 to 2 weeks. This article will teach you how to safely use skin-specific henna to create beautiful and sensual body art.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (20g) fresh henna leaves or henna powder
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) filtered lemon juice to remove pulp and seeds
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) oil
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Determine the part of the body that will be applied to henna
Because of its temporary nature, henna can be used on so many parts of the body to create works of art. However, there are several factors you need to consider before making your decision:
- Do the weather conditions allow you to display the henna-treated body parts?
- Is there a formal event you have to attend in the next few days so that henna is best kept hidden?
- Questions like these can help narrow down the choice of body parts to draw with henna. The body parts that are often decorated with henna are the hands, arms, and legs.
Step 2. Decide on the design
You may find it difficult to determine the design of henna images because the choices are endless, even in traditional circles.
- It will be easier for you to choose a design if you have a visual picture of the result you want. You can also modify your own design.
- Browse the internet and search for "henna designs" in your browser. There are many basic design forms that you can choose from.
- Most people like floral designs, while others like paisley patterns, or loose designs.
Step 3. Prepare the body part to be given henna
Wear clothes that won't cover the area. If your hair is bothering you, tie it away from the area where you will be applying the henna.
Be sure to clean the area with soap and water so that the henna can be applied smoothly
Method 2 of 3: Making Henna
Step 1. Strain the henna to remove any lumps that could clog the tip of the pouch
In addition to using a filter, you can also stretch a nylon cloth over a plastic container and place the henna and a few coins on top of the cloth. If you are using fresh henna leaves, use a food crusher or stirrer and make a powder. Cover the container and shake it to allow the henna to filter through the nylon cloth.
Step 2. Pour the henna powder in a small bowl
If you used henna powder from the start, do the same.
Step 3. Mix 1/4 cup (60 ml) of lemon juice or water and henna powder with a whisk until the mixture has the density of mashed potatoes
Step 4. Mix well
Step 5. Cover the henna with a plastic bag
- Leave the henna for 24 hours at room temperature so that the paint comes out of the henna.
- The paint will separate into a separate layer over the rest of the henna mixture.
Step 6. Pick up the separated paint with a spoon
Add the lemon juice, teaspoon (1 ml) little by little, until the henna density resembles that of yogurt.
Step 7. Put the henna in a plastic cone bag
- Twist the top of the cone bag 1 or 2 times, then secure it with a rubber band.
- Roll the rubber band down, pushing the henna up to touch the tip of the cone and the bottom of the rubber band. This will create a tight pocket that will ensure the henna comes out properly.
Method 3 of 3: Applying Henna
Step 1. Wash the skin with soap and water
Rub a small amount of alcohol with a cotton swab if your skin tends to be oily.
Step 2. Place the tip of the henna cone bag on top of the skin
- Gently press the top of the bag, just below the rubber band, using your thumb, to let the henna out through the end of the cone.
- If the henna is difficult to get out of, you can trim the ends of the cone bag with nail clippers to widen the opening. Remember to make very small cuts so you don't overcut.
Step 3. Make the design you want
You can create your own designs or browse books or design templates online for inspiration.
- Henna on the hands and feet will be darker than the rest because the skin at the very tip is usually thicker.
- The neck and face usually don't paint well because the skin on these areas is thin and oily.
Step 4. Let the henna design dry
Good henna doesn't look wet or greasy, but it shouldn't be so dry it can crack.
Step 5. Spray 1 coat of spray gel on the finished design
This gel usually comes in a pump bottle and is used to style hair. You can buy spray gel at your local drugstore or at the supermarket in the health and beauty section.
Step 6. Allow the spray gel to dry
Use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.
Step 7. Spray a layer of gel on the henna again
Once the gel dries, you can cover the design with gauze for more protection.
Step 8. Leave the henna design wrapped overnight or for at least 12 hours
Step 9. Unwrap the henna design
Apply a layer of lip balm, coconut oil or olive oil on the surface of the henna design.
Step 10. Remove excess dry henna flakes with mild soap and water
Dry the design with a soft cloth to prevent it from fading quickly.
Step 11. Also add a little oil
This will make the henna last longer.
Tips
- Use proper protection when applying henna. In addition to the porous surface, Henna will stain your skin and clothes. Wear gloves and protect your clothes with an apron. Clean the porous surface affected by henna with bleach.
- Store henna in the freezer in an air- and light-resistant container.
- You can put the henna paste into an empty glue container (such as Elmer's white glue) if you want the henna to be easier to work with.
- Take a small cup, sprinkle some sugar, then add water to dissolve the sugar. Remove the henna from your skin with a cotton swab.
- Add a tablespoon of sugar to the paste. This will make the paste more shaped and have a better density. Plus, it will stick to the skin more.
- Allow the henna a little longer to set the color.
- Apply Vaseline after the henna dries to make it last longer and make the color more intense.
- Leave the henna for a maximum of 30 hours.
Warning
- Never put henna on baby's skin. In infants who have a deficiency of G6PD (Glucose - 6 - Phosphate Dehydrogenase), henna can cause red blood cells to split.
- Avoid the black henna mixture in the package. This product contains chemicals that can cause an acute allergic reaction.
- Avoid henna if you are taking lithium. Henna can interfere with the absorption of lithium in the body.
- Henna should not be taken by mouth. This can result in stomach upset and other serious side effects.
- Avoid mixing henna paste with mustard oil.
- In some cases, henna can cause inflammation and sores on the skin. You should always test henna on a small area of skin first before using it further to check for an allergic reaction.
