How Long Does Henna Last (And Why)?

How Long Does Henna Last (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 2 Weeks

Heena is a type of dye which are prepared from the plant named Lawsonia Inermis. The other name of the Lawsonia Inermis plants is Heena tree, the mignonette tree, and the Egyptian tree. This species of the plant belongs to the genus Lawsonia. Heena is one type of dye that is a temporary body art that results in temporary staining on the skin from this dye. This Heena dye gets wears off with time and the process is called exfoliation. It is a herbal dye almost chemical-free dye used on hands and hairs maximum by ladies who want organic products.

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How Long Does Heena Last?

Heena is not a new product or dye used by people. It has been used in ancient Egypt by the people to dye their skin, hairs, and fingernails traditionally. This dye is also used on the fabric like silk, wool, and leather to apply color on them. It is not used just in Egypt but in other countries too in past decades like Arabian Pennisula, Carthage, North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, Horn of Africa, and parts of the Indian subcontinent.

The henna is of many types like black henna, neutral henna, and other shades of henna dye which are derived from the henna plant for skin dye, and hair dye. The English word henna comes from the Arabic word (ALA-LC). Body art is a very old, and traditional practice from ancient times which is still very famous. The people used to draw patterns on their bodies with the henna as their religious, and cultural sign.

The henna is in powdered form and used after mixing with water. Henna has lawsone molecules present in them. These molecules are responsible for the staining of the henna. When these molecules leave the henna leaves then only it will be used as a dye, and get staining property. The henna leaves are dried, and then crushed into powder when lawsone molecules leave the leaves, and they are mashed in the paste before application. This molecule will get migrate after conversion in the paste to the outer layer of the skin and binds with the protein of the skin to give the stain.

ApplicationDuration
Skin2 Weeks
Hair1 Week

Why Does Henna Last That Long?

When the Henna is applied and fried the henna stains are orange in color when the paste is first removed. It darkens with the passage of time of one to three days due to the process of oxidation. The sole, and palm henna stains last longer than the henna stain of hairs, and skin because palms have the thickest layer of skin. The lawsone molecules present in the henna go deeper in the palm making the stain dark and long-lasting.

Henna is very famous in the commercial market of many countries, especially in India. The people use henna as hair dye, and skin in India on a large scale. It is considered a natural dye due to the less amount of chemicals present in them. There are many dyes which people use by mixing other dyes to bring new colors for the people. It includes some metal salts which combine with chemical treatments, oil, and wax that can make the dye allergic.

Henna is not only used as a fashion statement but has a cultural presence also. In India henna is the most famous dye applied on hangs on auspicious movements like on festivals, and on weddings. The ladies apply henna on their hands with a beautiful pattern on special occasions which enhances their beauty. The smell of henna is very pure, but some people are allergic to henna. Allergic people may have a burning sensation on the palm with the application which turned into rashes, and people allergic to henna smell may have mild cough and cold.

Conclusion

Henna has a high significance in all most every religion, and country especially in the Hindu religion mainly in India. In India applying henna to the bride’s palm is one of the most important post-wedding rituals, and this ceremony is known as the mehndi ceremony.

References

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cod.12074
  2. https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/237683
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