Temporary Tattoos
If you like the idea of body art, but don't want the permanence of a tattoo, it's time to consider henna tattoos.
Henna is a safe and temporary alternative to the traditional tattoo art. It involves a natural ink made from the leaves of the henna plant. The leaves are turned into a powder and then into a paste, which is painted onto the skin using fine paintbrushes.
Henna art, also known as mendhi, is an ancient form of body art which has been developed over thousands of years. In fact henna tattoos are almost certainly older than the more traditional form of tattooing. There's even evidence to show that henna tattoos were used in the days of the Egyptian Pharaohs. But despite its age, henna art is still an extremely popular form of body decoration today.
Patch testing will also allow you to check whether the active ingredients in the ink are still working. There can be occasions, especially if you've had the product for a long time, when the ink won't adhere to your skin properly.
Once you've made these basic checks, it's time to get creative.
There's virtually no limit to the number of designs that you can create using henna ink. However, as it's a natural product, the colors tend to be limited to darker shades of brown, green, red and black. But these basic shades may vary according to the tone of your skin and the way that it reacts to the ink.
And if you need some ideas of what it's possible to create, henna tattoo designs are readily available.
To begin with, most henna kits come with example designs to help you get started. You can also find a wide selection of stunning patterns for free on the internet. And if you've got an artistic talent, you can experiment with your own temporary tattoo designs.
All you need is a few ideas and a nice steady hand as most henna tattoos are created freehand. If you find this difficult, it's a good idea to mark the outline of your pattern using a framework of small dots on the skin. This will act as a guide to help you complete your design. Keep it simple to begin with until you build up some experience of using henna ink and you won't go far wrong.
It's also important to remember that henna ink is a stain, so make sure that you keep it well away from your clothes until it dries properly, as it's extremely difficult to remove from clothing. In general henna ink has to sit on the skin for between two and four hours for the stain to take effect.
Apart from the general appearance and the fact that the black ink is easier to apply, there's little difference between black henna and the other varieties.
But whatever type you choose, henna tattoos provide the opportunity to experience a highly artistic form of body art, without the lifelong commitment required by traditional permanent tattoos.
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Henna Tattoos - The Basics
Henna is a safe and temporary alternative to the traditional tattoo art. It involves a natural ink made from the leaves of the henna plant. The leaves are turned into a powder and then into a paste, which is painted onto the skin using fine paintbrushes.
Henna art, also known as mendhi, is an ancient form of body art which has been developed over thousands of years. In fact henna tattoos are almost certainly older than the more traditional form of tattooing. There's even evidence to show that henna tattoos were used in the days of the Egyptian Pharaohs. But despite its age, henna art is still an extremely popular form of body decoration today.
The Secrets Of Henna Tattoos
Before you start applying the ink to your skin, it's important to perform a small patch test on an area of your body that's usually covered by your clothing. This will allow you to check whether you have an allergy to the ink. Allergic reactions to henna are rare, but it's best to make sure before you begin painting a more visible part of your body.Patch testing will also allow you to check whether the active ingredients in the ink are still working. There can be occasions, especially if you've had the product for a long time, when the ink won't adhere to your skin properly.
Once you've made these basic checks, it's time to get creative.
There's virtually no limit to the number of designs that you can create using henna ink. However, as it's a natural product, the colors tend to be limited to darker shades of brown, green, red and black. But these basic shades may vary according to the tone of your skin and the way that it reacts to the ink.
And if you need some ideas of what it's possible to create, henna tattoo designs are readily available.
To begin with, most henna kits come with example designs to help you get started. You can also find a wide selection of stunning patterns for free on the internet. And if you've got an artistic talent, you can experiment with your own temporary tattoo designs.
All you need is a few ideas and a nice steady hand as most henna tattoos are created freehand. If you find this difficult, it's a good idea to mark the outline of your pattern using a framework of small dots on the skin. This will act as a guide to help you complete your design. Keep it simple to begin with until you build up some experience of using henna ink and you won't go far wrong.
It's also important to remember that henna ink is a stain, so make sure that you keep it well away from your clothes until it dries properly, as it's extremely difficult to remove from clothing. In general henna ink has to sit on the skin for between two and four hours for the stain to take effect.
Black Henna Tattoos
One of the main differences between black henna and other types, apart from the color, is the way it looks when applied to the skin. Unlike the other colors, which produce a dyed effect on the skin, black henna closely resembles the look of a traditional permanent tattoo. So if you want your henna tattoo to look permanent, black henna should be your first choice.Apart from the general appearance and the fact that the black ink is easier to apply, there's little difference between black henna and the other varieties.
But whatever type you choose, henna tattoos provide the opportunity to experience a highly artistic form of body art, without the lifelong commitment required by traditional permanent tattoos.
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