Henna Body Art – Application, Effects & Background

Henna is one of the oldest natural dyes in the world. For millennia, it has been used for body art in North Africa, India, and the Middle East. The fine paste made from the leaves of the henna shrub ( Lawsonia inermis ) gently and permanently colors the top layer of skin. It imparts warm, reddish-brown tones and is suitable for both intricate designs and creative applications at festivals and celebrations.

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How henna works on the skin

Henna contains the natural dye lawsone , which binds to the protein structures (keratin) of the skin.
The dye is not produced immediately, but through a fermentation process : In the prepared paste, enzymes and bacteria convert certain plant glycosides into their active form. Only then does the characteristic color develop.

When applied, the dye reacts with the skin's surface. Depending on skin type, temperature, and exposure time, a color ranging from orange to deep brown is produced.
The color deepens within the first 24 hours after application and usually lasts 7–14 days on hands and feet.

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How to properly mix henna paste

Anyone who wants to mix henna themselves needs some patience – ideally, the paste should be left to soak overnight so that the dye can fully develop.

Basic recipe for approximately 1 applicator, cone or piping bag

• 3–5 teaspoons of finely sieved henna (approx. 20 g)
  
• approx. ½ cup warm water (50–60 °C)
• Optional 1-2 tsp sugar (makes the paste a little stickier)
• Optionally, add a few drops of essential oils (intensifies the color).

Preparation:

1. First, put the henna powder into a bowl.
2. Optionally add sugar.
3. Gradually stir in the warm water until a creamy, viscous consistency is achieved – similar to toothpaste.
   → It's better to use less water and add more drop by drop if needed.
4. Stir well and knead or "beat" lightly until the paste becomes elastic and a thin "thread" can be pulled.

• No lemon juice! The acid can irritate the skin and disrupt color development.

Ripening time:
Cover the paste and leave it overnight at room temperature . After that, it is ready to use.
If you want to start painting immediately, use our ready-made henna paste , which is already fully cured.

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Fill the henna paste container

To ensure the paste comes out evenly, it should be as lump-free as possible.
Before bottling, it can optionally be passed through a nylon stocking :

1. Pull a nylon stocking over a glass.
2. Fill the paste into the nylon stocking.
3. Squeeze the paste through the stocking to filter it very finely.
   

Now you can transfer them into cones, applicator bottles or piping bags .

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Tools for application

1. Henna Cone (classic)

• Small flexible bag made of plastic or cellophane.
• Filling: Fill with paste using a spatula, twist the top tightly and seal with tape.
• Trim the tip as much as possible – the smaller the better for precision. Our tips are already trimmed, so you can start painting immediately. The hole can, of course, be enlarged if needed.
• Application: Like drawing with a pen.
• Advantage: Especially fine for ornaments and lines. Best painting tool for beginners and children!

2. Applicator bottle

• Reusable bottle with thin metal syringe.
• Ideal for clean, even lines.
• Easy to clean and easy to dose.
• Especially suitable for professionals and precise work!

3. Piping bag or baking bag

• Practical for larger areas or group work.
• The opening can be customized.

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Application technology

Some practice is required at the beginning:

• First, hold the applicator flat, position it along the line, then lift it about 1 cm above the skin and let the paste flow slowly.
• The thread lies flat against the skin by itself.
• At the end of the line, lower the tip and briefly place it vertically to finish it cleanly.

💡 Pro tip: This technique ensures even, elegant lines – don't press, but "guide".

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freehand or with stencils

Henna can be applied freehand or with stencils :

• Freehand technique: ideal for individual designs, mandalas or floral ornaments.
  We highly recommend freehand painting; it's incredibly fun, and even children can create wonderful patterns. And if something goes wrong or you don't like it... just quickly wipe it off and start again!
• Stencils: perfect when a precise fit is essential or you want a very exact pattern. Simply apply the paste, let it dry briefly, and peel off the stencil.

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Henna for children

Henna is purely plant-based and skin-friendly – ​​ideal for children too.
For parties, we recommend ready-made henna paste so you can start painting right away.

• One cone is enough for two children , who can then paint each other.
• If mixing it yourself: Prepare the paste the evening before and let it sit overnight.
• The color is visible after just 20 minutes of application time , especially on hands and feet.
• Longer exposure times (1–2 hours) intensify the result.

💡 Tip: Children love simple motifs like dots, hearts or small flowers – this keeps it playful and stress-free.

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After application

Drying & Sealing

• The paste should dry in the air without smearing.
• Depending on the temperature, this takes about 15–30 minutes.
• To prevent drying out, the mehndi can be carefully brushed with a saturated sugar solution .
• Optional: If desired, the painted area can occasionally be held over steam (30–40 cm distance). This promotes warmth and color intensity.

Exposure time

• Ideally: several hours (6–8 h).
• Henna stains most intensely on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as the skin is thicker there.

Removing the crust

• Do not wash off the dried paste with water !
• Instead, rub with plenty of oil (e.g. olive or sesame oil) .
• For 24 hours, it is best to use little or no water or soap – the color will darken during this time and fully bond with the skin.

Care & Durability

• Apply a little oil regularly to keep the design looking fresh for longer.
• Sun, chlorine, and frequent washing cause the color to fade faster.
  
  

Safety notice

Henna is a purely natural product; however, as with all plant-based substances, skin reactions can occur in rare cases.
We recommend performing an allergy test before each use :
Apply some paste to the inside of the forearm, let it dry and observe for 24 hours.
Do not use if redness, itching or burning occurs.

If the paste contains essential oils , its use should be avoided in cases of known intolerance or sensitive skin .