Explain Henna, please.

January 18, 2006 12:15 PM

I just got an appointment to get a henna tattoo. I'm not entirely sure what that means.....

My google-fu has failed me. While I kind of know what a henna tattoo is, I'm unsure as to the specifics of the procedure. What colors are available? What patterns? What body parts can one be put on? Is it super weird for a guy to have henna? Any advice/ web links would be appreciated.

posted by matkline to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (21 answers total)

A henna tattoo is basically just a paste that is applied to your skin with an applicator of some kind. It's like a dye, so your skin is stained in whatever pattern they do for a week or two. I've only seen the same sort of dark indigo color everywhere, I don't know if there are others. You can put one anywhere you have skin, and you can have any pattern that can be drawn with a paint-pen type thing.

Keep in mind when choosing a design or location that you'll need to let it dry for about a half hour afterwards without it touching anything else. There will be a thick layer of stuff that will dry and flake off on its own, but you don't want to smear it while it's drying, that would be bad news. i.e. don't get an armband tattoo around your upper arm, because then you'll have to hold your arm out for a half hour so it doesn't touch your torso, etc.
posted by TunnelArmr at 12:20 PM on January 18, 2006

"What colors are available?"

Brown.

"What patterns?"

Whatever. Although traditionally it's a relatively fiddly and somewhat feminine doodle, I'm sure you can get whatever you'd like. Think line art.

"What body parts can one be put on?"

Skin.

"Is it super weird for a guy to have henna?"

Weird, but not even close to super weird. I wouldn't let it bother me, but it's up to you how much of this kind of thing you can tolerate.
posted by majick at 12:28 PM on January 18, 2006

I'm puzzled as to why you got an appt to get one if you're not sure what it is, but I just wanted to say that no, it's not super weird for a guy to have one. Check google images to see lots of photos of guys with henna tattoos.

The henna plant has green leaves which smell sort of like spinach. It leaves a reddish-brown dye on your skin, hair, clothes, whatever it is that you choose to dye.
posted by iconomy at 12:32 PM on January 18, 2006

To emphasize what Majick said: This isn't permanent. Just so you know. It's trendy, but not much different than doodling on yourself with a sharpie.
posted by unixrat at 12:37 PM on January 18, 2006

There has to be a girl involved here.
posted by smackfu at 12:40 PM on January 18, 2006

It's called Mehndi, and if you google that you'll get loads of images. The results can be stunning. Go here for more info.
posted by tula at 12:43 PM on January 18, 2006

Does anyone know if henna tattoos would be hazardous to pregnant women?
posted by MsVader at 12:50 PM on January 18, 2006

Re: pregnant women: These ladies don't seem to think so.
posted by blogrrrl at 12:57 PM on January 18, 2006

I remember the smell iconomy referred to as being strong and a little unpleasant and lingering on my hands for a couple of days afterwards, so while not quite hazardous that's probably something to consider for pregnant women who are very sensitive to smells and/or easily nauseated by them.
posted by PY at 1:37 PM on January 18, 2006

More on henna and pregnancy. Includes lots of good pics.
posted by alms at 1:40 PM on January 18, 2006

I second smackfu intuition.

Also, BEFORE having the full stuff paintend on you, have a litte quantity painted on some part of body (for instance arm), wait a few minutes and watch out for skin rash, irritation and swelling of the area which MAY signal you're allergic to the stuff.

If so, I'd avoid having more...allergic shocks are very dangerous.
posted by elpapacito at 1:40 PM on January 18, 2006

Isn't the color 'indigo' a sort of bluish color? Henna is definately BROWN and not blue...
posted by UnclePlayground at 1:42 PM on January 18, 2006

indigo is purplish blue
posted by Satapher at 2:34 PM on January 18, 2006

Response by poster: iconomy: i got the appointment b/c it sounded intriguing and I had a basic idea of what it was

smackfu: nope, there's no girl
posted by matkline at 2:37 PM on January 18, 2006

I used a red henna on my hair for about 15 years -- you can find the stuff on the shelf at most any whole foods-type store. The henna tattoos I've gotten have always been a reddish-brown, but henna comes in a range of colors from neutral to red to brown to black. My understanding is that there are two actual varieties of henna bush -- red and black -- and that the shades in between are created by mixing the two.
posted by blogrrrl at 2:50 PM on January 18, 2006

It'll take 30 minutes to 1 hour to dry. They might add lemon juice to the paste on your skin to keep it moist and itensify the color. Initially you'll have a very vibrant burnt ochre sort of color, but that will tone down to a more reddish brown then a faded orange. One thing to consider is that after a week or so, it'll start to wear and fade as your dead skin falls off--it doesn't look particularly appealing to have a blotchy drawing on your body. Also, it does smell for maybe 2 days after.

Also, most people who Henna advise not to get a black henna tattoo, as it's regular henna with a chemical dye that might cause skin irritation.

Mendhi is a traditional Indian wedding tradition--they apply it to the hand and feet while the bride sits there for hours and is attended by her female relatives and friends. This is also practiced in the Middle East and some parts of Africa.

Personally, I don't like this "trendification" of Henna tattooing, (much as I don't like every sorority girl sporting a buttefly tattoo), but it's your choice. Get a good design, or make one yourself.
posted by lychee at 4:18 PM on January 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

I use henna on my hair and I love it! I've gotten some henna tattoos in the past -an amazing one for an Indian wedding- and how long they last really depends on two factors: your skin and the quality of henna being used. Most people don't have any adverse reactions, but you should do a patch test.

This site has lots of info.
posted by discokitty at 6:20 PM on January 18, 2006

henna is naturally light brown or reddish. if it's blue or black or anything else, it's not henna, and it's probably not something you want on your skin.
posted by Orrorin at 7:09 PM on January 18, 2006

Don't use black henna.
Don't use black henna.
Don't use black henna.

Every story I've heard involving sensitivity to henna has involved black henna. Every one.

I'm a guy, a big, burly one, and I've put various henna patterns on my feet for years, usually something bold and geometric, then a band of some sort around my ankle. Sure, it's weird, but, hey, so am I. I think it's cool. Back in my dating years, some women didn't like it, but those were the women I didn't want to date, anyway.

The color usually depends on the freshness of the henna. Old, cheap stuff is much lighter than fresh stuff. I'd imagine that a professional would use the good stuff. You have some control--if you want a good, dark line, scrub the skin beforehand to exfoliate. This will also make the tattoo last longer, too. You can use this advice in reverse, too, of course--don't exfoliate if don't want a dark, long-lasting tattoo. A good application can last 4 weeks or so, depending on the area of the body.

Oh, by the way, don't use black henna.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:34 AM on January 19, 2006

Response by poster: The Follow-up picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=88969607&size=l
posted by matkline at 8:02 PM on January 24, 2006

Response by poster: make that This follow up picture
posted by matkline at 8:03 PM on January 24, 2006