Henna is a plant that leaves a temporary (brown/red) stain on the skin and lasts a few weeks, until the skin exfoliates. Henna is the common term for Lawsonia Inermis. It grows naturally in Indian, African and Arabic countries. It has been used culturally by over 50 countries for thousands of years to decorate the skin.
For all of the Aftercare instructions for Henna & Jagua - click here
Yes. Henna is a natural dye that has been traditionally used by women throughout North Africa and the Middle East for thousands of years. It stains dead layers of skin and doesn't process through the blood stream. It has many medicinal qualities as well. It has antiseptic and astringent properties. It’s a treatment for lice and athletes foot. However, henna use is not recommended for those who have a rare G6PD deficiency. If you have or think you might have a G6PD deficiency, please contact your doctor before applying henna.
White henna is an adhesive and only last a few hours to a few days, if placed in an area that doesn't bend. It sits on top of the skin and doesn't stain the dead layers. It is used mostly for photos. It is not henna
There is no such thing as Black Henna. The PPD chemical dye know as p-Phenyldiamine, p-Phenylenedimine, paraPhenyldiamine & paraPhenylenedimine are falsely called Black Henna. Henna is a natural dye that stains the skin various shades of browns, never black. There are traditional darkening methods used to turn henna black but these methods are toxic and are not recommended to put on the skin. These methods usually include ammonia, which will darken the shade of henna, sometimes looking black in color. These methods are not used by Mehndi Madness.
PPD is an abbreviation for the chemical dye p-Phenyldiamine, p-Phenylenedimine, paraPhenyldiamine & paraPhenylenedimine. This dye does in fact stain the skin black but was never intended to be used on the skin. It is used most often as a hair dye and is very dangerous and illegal. It is forbidden for use on the skin by the FDA, in the USA and European Cosmetic (Safety) Regulations.
About 1/3 of the people who have tried PPD, "black henna", have an allergic reactions. The reaction can sometimes be bad enough to cause scaring. Any reaction should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to ask your henna artist if they use PPD in their henna mixture. If they don't know what's in their mix, go somewhere else. Jagua is a fruit that stains a blackish color and is much safer for temporary tattoos. Mehndi Madness does use Jagua. Please see the FAQ for Jagua.
Most pictures of Henna tattoos are taken with the paste still on. This makes them appear black in the picture. But when the paste comes off the stain will be a light orange then turn to a brown/red color within 1-2 days.
Yes, Jagua is 100% natural fruit from Amazonian countries and stains a black/blue color. It works much the same as a henna tattoo. Please see the FAQ for Jagua if you’d like more information.
Unfortunately, once smeared it'll never be the same. You can try to remove the unwanted smear with body bleaching cream (found in any drug store) and a q-tip by following the directions on the box. Usually, smears fade in a few days, faster than the tattoo.
Click here to view our video on removing smears
Sometimes the designs might transfer to another body part if you sleep on it the first night. You can wrap the design in toilet paper, ace bandage or a sock before you go to bed. You may try to remove an accidental transfer with body bleaching cream, found in most drug stores, by following the directions on the box. Click here to view our video on removing smears/marks
Yes, henna has been done on pregnant women for hundreds of years. However you should ask the artist what oil is mixed into the henna. Avoid contact with such oils as Mehlabiya, Tea Tree, Cajuput, Clove, Mustard Seed, etc… These oils are sometimes applied to the skin or may be mixed into henna paste. It's an industry standard to use Lavender oil for pregnant women.
If you have concerns about using henna while pregnant, ask your doctor or midwife.
The active ingredient “Lawson” contained in the leaves of the henna plant begins to work when the henna powder is activated by a catalyst. Most people use hot water, tea or lemon juice and certain oils. Once the Henna is activated and comes in contact with the skin it starts to dye the dead layers. Henna can be made with as little as 3 natural ingredients. Ask your henna artist what is in their henna. If they don’t tell you, leave.
Henna tattoo paste usually dries hard within an hour. Drying time depends upon outside or room temperature, body temperature, size and type of design. We recommend that you leave Henna paste on the skin for 4-6 hours to work effectively.
AFTERCARE INFORMATION
While the specific color achieved varies from person to person according to such things as, skin type, skin condition, location on the body and lifestyle, most people enjoy a brown/red color. Henna can stain anywhere from orange, brown, brownish-reds and very dark red/brown.
Henna tattoos reach their best color in about 2-3 days after application, this varies according to skin type. Don’t get your design wet for at least 12 hours after application. This will stunt the staining process and could be much lighter. Be sure to put your henna on 2-3 days before a big event, like a wedding, for the darkest color.
Henna tattoos last between 1-3 weeks on average. Usually they have a deep strong color for 1-2 weeks and fade from there but it really depends on where you put it, how often you wash it and how fast your skin exfoliates. Hands and feet stain the darkest but come off a bit sooner. The arms, legs and body stain lighter but might last a bit longer. It doesn't work on the face or neck very well because the skin is so thin.
No. Henna and Jagua paste must be put in a place that clothing doesn't bother it for a several hours. The tattoo will be wet at first. Once dry, you want to leave clothing off of it so that the paste stays in place and does a good job of staining the skin. So be sure that you wear clothing that can be rolled up/down to expose the area you would like the design to be.
There are several reasons why a Henna or Jagua tattoo might not get dark. Most people get the desired results time after time. If you run into an issue one of these could be the reason.
- The product wasn't mixed properly or had expired.
- The skin it was put on was over exposed to sun or chemicals and was ready to come off.
- Henna doesn't develop properly if you don't leave it on long enough or it gets wet in the first 12 hours.
- Jagua doesn't develop properly if you leave it on too long.
- Certain parts of the body don't stain well, the face and neck.
- Some people don't stain as well as others depending on their dead layers of skin and lifestyle.
Henna, also known as Mehndi, has many other uses. In the hair it is a permanent dye as well as conditioner. It is said to kill lice and prevent hair loss. Henna is a natural sun block and has cooling qualities. Because of these qualities it has been used as a deodorant. It reduces fevers and has general antiseptic and astringent properties. It is helpful in treating bruises, sprains, boils, burns, headaches and athletes foot. As a tonic it helps with sore throats and stomach pains. It has even been said to treat more serious ailments, i.e. cancer, jaundice, various skin diseases as well as reducing labor pains.
The origin of Henna is rather mysterious, having been used for many thousands of years. The Henna plant is thought to be a gift to India from Egypt where they painted their fingernails with it. Though there is evidence it was there centuries before, some say it came to India through Iranian lands. However it came, it is ancient and steeped in tradition.
Appropriation = ignorant abuse of an aspect of another’s culture.
Appreciation= informed, respectful use and celebration of an aspect of another’s culture.
It’s important to know a professional henna artists study the history, culture, traditions and science of henna. We often know much more about it than people whose cultures have used it for thousands of years and help to educate about safe, natural henna use.
Just because I do a lot of non-traditional work on clientele who are not from the original countries and cultures that use henna does not equal appropriation. It is a celebration of beauty, art, the human form and human connection. Henna does not discriminate. So why should we...
Mehndi Madness only used 100% natural/organic henna powder with lemon, oils and sugar added. We source directly from growers when possible or their agents when appropriate. We use current crop powder to get the best results for your design.
We get this question a lot. Mehndi Madness artists are paid well for their time and artwork. But let’s face it, who doesn’t love a tip? If you enjoyed your time with your artist and like the work she/he did and you can afford it, tip them. You can also email me with your positive compliments about your artist. I love hearing them. They go towards the end of the season bonuses. And everyone loves those!
Mehndi Madness only uses 100% natural/organic Jagua powder or juice with water, oils, xanthan gum (thickener), potassium sorbate (preservative) and sugar. We source directly from growers when possible or their agents when appropriate. We use current crop powder to get the best results for your design.
Jagua is a local name for the fruit of the Genipa Americana Tree. It is used by the indigenous peoples of Panama, Columbia and Peru. The juice from this fruit contains natural black dye that stains the skin in a similar way to natural henna.
The ingredients for Jagua are: Jagua, water, xanthan gum (thickener), oil, sugar and potassium sorbate (preservative).
For all of the Aftercare instructions for Henna & Jagua - click here
Jagua is a fruit from the Genipa Americana tree, which grows throughout tropical and sub tropical regions of South & Central America. However, it is the unripen fruit that stains the skin.
Yes. Jagua is a safe & natural dye that has been used by indigenous people in the Amazon as a cosmetic stain for as long as can be remembered. It stains dead layers of skin much like a Henna. Before imported to the US it is made into a cosmetic grade product and therefore safe to put on the skin.
Jagua Tattoo gel/paste and PPD products look very similar to each other when being applied to the skin. They are both a black colored smooth gel. However Jagua does have some unique characteristics that clearly distinguishes it from PPD products.
- Jagua has a distinctive fruity smell.
- Jagua leaves behind a very pale greyish stain at first, the true color takes 1-2 days to develop.
- PPD products usually contain no fragrance at all.
- PPD products leave behind a black stain instantly.
- It’s always appropriate to ask your artist what product they are using. If they don’t tell you or don’t have a clear answer, leave.
It would seem so, there is nothing in the safety information regarding this product that advises against use while pregnant. There is also no traditional information that suggests indigenous people avoid use during pregnancy. However, if you are at all concerned please take the ingredient list along to your doctor for advice.
The active ingredient ‘Genipine’ comes from the unripe Jagua Fruit (Genipa Americana L). Once the Jagua paste comes into contact with the skin and exposed to the air, the dye starts to oxidize and begins to leave a stain. Jagua needs to stay on the skin for 2-3 hours to make sure the skin takes on a good color. After 2-3 hours when the Jagua paste is peeled off, you will see nothing or only a very pale colored design. This will darken to a blackish/blue color over the next 2 days.
Jagua tattoo gel will dry hard in the first hour. Drying time depends upon outside or room temperature, body temperature, size and type of design. Leave Jagua gel on for 2-3 hours for it to work effectively.
AFTERCARE INFORMATION
While the specific color achieved varies from person to person according to such things as, skin type, skin condition, location on the body and lifestyle, most people enjoy a black/blue and sometimes grey color. Jagua can definitely look like a permanent tattoo which adds a whole new fun factor to getting one!
Jagua tattoos reach their best color in about 2-4 days after application, this varies according to skin type. Be sure to put your Jagua on 2 days before a big event like a wedding, for the darkest color. Unlike henna, you can get your jagua wet after the paste is taken off. Simple washing or showering is fine before the color has developed to its darkest point. But be aware that too much water fun and especially hot tubs and swimming can shorten the life of your design significantly because it exfoliate the skin quickly.
Jagua tattoos last between 1-3 weeks on an average. Usually, they have a deep strong color for approximately 1-2 weeks and fade from there but it really depends on where you put it, how often you wash it and how fast your skin exfoliates. Hands and feet stain the darkest but come off a bit sooner. The arms, legs and body stain lighter but might last a bit longer. It might not work on the face or neck very well because the skin is so thin.
Jagua is slightly related to a stawberry or kiwi and if you're allergic to either of those you might or might not have a reaction to Jagua. Most people have food allergies from ingesting, not touching it. Jagua is not recommended for those who have eczema or psoriasis because it is a fruit juice. The choice is yours to try it. If you have any questions or concerns about trying a Jagua tattoo, ask your doctor.
Jagua is unforgiving when it smears. Even when fixed the smear can show up behind the design. You can use a body bleaching cream found at drug stores, to remove the unwanted part by following the directions on the box. Body bleaching cream is used to bleach body hair on lips, arms, etc… and is approved for use on the body.
Click here to view our video on removing smears
It will stain natural fibers when wet, such as cotton, linen, silk and so on. When dry, it doesn't usually stain anything it touches. It has been known to transfer to other body areas when sleeping during hot weather. To prevent this, blot the jagua with a wet paper towel once paste is removed and for henna, wrap in toilet paper or put a sock over it while sleeping. Transfer isn't usually an issue after the first night.
It is also valued for it’s medicinal properties. It is used to ease colds, sore throats, diarrhea, bronchitis, asthma, rheumatism, itching and it even has anti-bacterial and antibiotic properties. The fruit is so renowned with its medicinal properties that in Guatemala the Indians carry the fruit in their hands in the belief that this will provide protection from disease and ill fortune. It is also used by the people in some beverages, fermented drinks and deserts.
We get this question a lot. Mehndi Madness artists are paid well for their time and artwork. But let’s face it, who doesn’t love a tip? If you enjoyed your time with your artist and like the work she/he did and you can afford it, tip them. You can also email me with your positive compliments about your artist. I love hearing them. They go towards the end of the season bonuses. And everyone loves those!
