Important steps before having a henna tattoo

Having a henna tattoo is an exiting event especially if you are having it for the first time. Lots of people like to have Henna tattoos as a souvenir of their holidays specifically to the Middle East or India. But, there are certain issues that should be taken into consideration before having a Henna tattoo.

1. What type of Henna do you want to have?

There are two types of Henna tattoos

a) Brownish red Henna tattoo: In this case the henna paste is made by mixing henna powder with some sort of chemical liquid that enhances the color and make it appear faster.

b) Black Henna tattoo: There is no such henna as a black henna ... they (the henna tattoo artists) simply use some kind of black hair dye.

2. What henna design do you want?

If you are not into surprises; you should have a specific design or sketch to be done. Or, at least see some of the artist's designs and choose one of them. Other wise, you just have to accept whatever that artist draw.

3. Don't wax, exfoliate or have heavy skin treatment at least 2-3 days before having the tattoo. Due to the involvement of chemicals in both red and black henna tattoos, waxing or treating skin just before the tattoo can cause skin irritation (you may shave).

4. Make sure that you have an appointment. Unless you have a tattoo by an under-a-tree henna tattoo artist; you better make an appointment because the good henna tattoo artist are always booked and their places are always crowded so have an appointment to have your tattoo without waiting so long.

5. If you are having the tattoo on your palms, you should plan to have the tattoo done at least 3 hours before your next meal to avoid eating while the tattoo is still wet and ruin the design (unless you have someone who is kind enough to feed you).

6. If possible, you should buy a henna tattoo cone from the henna artist that will make you the henna tattoo, and make an allergy test at least one day before having the tattoo; that means

• draw a line or a circle using the henna

• wait until dry

• While waiting, if you feel sting, burning or itching than you are probably allergic to it.

• rinse

• check your skin; if it feels burning or you feel some bumps then you'd better pass having a henna tattoo



Note:

Henna itself is not an allergy causing material because it is just the powder of tree leaves. But the henna artists always use some petroleum products to hustle the coloring process and those materials are the harmful ones.