Izmudd Arts: Frequently Asked Questions


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Frequently Asked Questions:

What is henna?

Henna is a paste made from the ground or powdered leaves of Lawsonia Inermis, the henna bush or tree, and is applied to the top layer of the skin to impart a temporary stain. Izmudd Henna adds water, essential oils and sometimes tea, spices, sugar or molasses to henna powder to make our paste. The consistency of the paste is close to that of pudding, and feels cooling to the skin.

What does it mean?

People of many religions, from many countries, for thousands of years have used henna. There is no one answer to the meaning of henna. Henna has been used to protect the wearer from malevolent spirits, to celebrate weddings, to heal damaged skin, to display status, to enhance attractiveness, to aid pregnancy and birth, to celebrate holidays and so very much more. Being hennaed does not imply affiliation with any particular religion or culture, and holds precisely the meaning(s) you lend it. Henna is highly versatile, and won't mind a bit if you find a new way to use it.

What color is it?

Henna paste is in a range of greens and browns. When the paste is removed from the skin, the resultant stain is initially a shade of orange, darkening and deepening over two to three days. At its peak, the henna design will be a rich brown or reddish brown, in colors ranging from cinnamon to mahogany to coffee. Natural henna comes in no other colors, and is NEVER black. "Black henna" is commonly made with PPD hair dye, a strong and harmful chemical, and has never been approved for use on skin. For more information on "black henna" see the Henna Tribe Black Henna Warnings.

How long does it take?

Applying a simple design can take as little as five minutes. More complex designs covering larger areas can take an hour, two, or more. The paste must then remain on the skin for at least two hours, with 4-6 hours, even overnight, being optimum. The dried paste is secured to the skin with lemon sugar syrupor other sealer dabbed on lightly, or taped down with medical paper tape. The longer the paste is kept warm and in contact with the skin, the darker the design will become. Remove paste by gently scraping or peeling off, and wash off any remaining crumbs with a damp washcloth.

How long does it last?

Depending on many factors, your henna will last from five days to two weeks, sometimes longer. Henna stains best on the hands and feet. Wrists and ankles also take a stain well. Arms, legs and bellies and backs are somewhat harder to stain, but with care can display lovely designs. Chests, necks and faces are areas which frequently stain poorly. To get the most from your design keep it dry for the first 24 hours. Rub lightly with a food grade oil or some lip balmbefore bathing or swimming. Avoid contact of design with chlorine, alpha-hydroxy acids and cleaning products. Minimize friction on design from shoes and clothing and avoid shaving or scrubbing. The design will slowly fade back to light orange and then disappear as your skin naturally exfoliates.

If you would like clarification, or have any other questions, we will be very happy to talk with you. Please contact maxx at: maxx@izmudd.com