In recent years, tattoo has become one of the most appreciated forms of art. With a multitude of styles from different countries and artists who invent theirs, the tattoo community is in perpetual movement and continues to improve and innovate.
If, for some, tattoos are nothing more than ink on the skin, all those who have been tattooed know that it is much more than ink. For some, tattoo is a reminder of the choices they have made in their lives, for others, a reminder or a tribute to a loved one, and for others, a form of therapy.
Thanks to the deeper meanings that tattoos have both for the artist and the customer, they have exceeded the point of simple body modification. However, getting tattoo is not as easy as most people think it, because you have to make a lot of tattoo and support a lot of pain when doing it. Not to mention that the process of reflection on the choice of tattoo and where it will be realized is important.
The type of engagement and pain (as well as follow-up) that accompanies a tattoo is not suitable for everyone. Some people simply want a tattoo that has pace, hence the introduction of temporary tattoos, whose king is henna tattoo.
You have probably already heard about henna tattoos because they have become very popular. Musical festivals in general, henna tattoos are the most famous of all temporary tattoos. So, if you want to tattoo you in henna, but do not know where to start, if you hear about it for the first time or if you want to know more, here is a complete guide on everything you need to know about henna.
Many sources think that henna has been discovered in the deserts of India, where a small tribe started using the paste of the plant on his hands and feet, because it gave them a feeling of freshness. It did not take long for a creative individual to prefer to create patterns rather than simply spread the dough on his body.
It was a few thousand years ago, and since then, the complexity of the reasons and the method of application have changed dramatically. Since that time in the desserts of India, the body art in henna has managed to become a tradition honored by time in countries like Pakistan and India, where people are tattooed in henna on occasions traditional or religious.
The meaning and importance of these drawings also changed massively over the years. Different communities believe that the application of henna on the body has happiness and some also think that henna protects them from evil.
The henna resisted the test of time and not only managed to remain relevant throughout these years, but has developed considerably in other communities. Now you may wonder what henna is and why it's so popular.
What is the Henne?
Let's start with what is probably the most common question associated with henna tattoos, what is it?
Henna is a natural dye that consists of mixing henna leaves crushed with water to form a dough. This dough often has a dark or olive brown color and, once applied, it leaves a reddish brown color on the skin. The task that the tattoo leaves on the body becomes a tattoo that is used by many people through various traditions.
The henna is very similar to the ordinary tattoos in terms of application, except that they are not painful and are not permanent. The natural dye of the henna seeps into your skin and leaves a stain that turns mainly into tattoo.
Although you can not change the color of your tattoo, you will not have to engage in the incredibly painful tattoo process, nor in the permanent nature of tattoo.
The henna is also made naturally, which makes it completely safe and free of allergens. The henna is not only used for tattoos, but the inhabitants of many South Asian countries tend to use it as well as a natural color for hair.
WHAT IS IT USED FOR ?
If the henna can be used in various ways, such as hair color or as therapy, it is better known as temporary tattoo. Traditionally, women from various countries in South Asia and the Middle East have been using henna as an accessory for centuries.
Women often apply henna on their hands and feet to honor their religious holidays and especially weddings. Its use during these feasts and religious events is not a religious necessity, but rather a cosmetic product. Women tend to use tattoos in henna as a cosmetic, in the same way that people are often tattooed: because they are beautiful.
However, various Muslim communities believe that the reasons that women are tattooed in henna helps keep bad eyes away. Moroccan communities believe that henna tattoos bear chance and protect them from evil spirits.
On the other hand, the use of henna tattoo has become quite famous in Western countries as well. We see them especially in musical festivals, because street artists often offer tattoos in henna to festival participants. It may even have encountered randomly among various people.
Its popularity is often attributed to its temporary nature as well as its incredibly painless process. Many find even the incredibly relaxing tattoo process. Since there is no form of commitment and that it can be removed quite easily, this form of tattoo is much more inclusive and takes much less time than standard tattoos.
There is also an increase in the number of pregnant women who are tattooed in henna on the belly before or during a maternity photo session or before a baby party. There is also a growing trend in chemotherapy patients to be tattooed in henna on their newly bald head.
Why are people tattooed?
We often wonder why someone is tattooed in henna, except for cultural or religious reasons. Although it is easier to say that people are tattooed in henna because it's beautiful, there are many other reasons why people are tattooed in henna.
Although the reasons for being tattooed in henna can be a list alone, here are three major reasons why people are tattooed in henna:
Temporary / lack of commitment
Let's start with what is probably one of the main reasons why people are tattooed in henna: tattoos are temporary. Permanent tattoos are always accompanied by a certain level of commitment because they are always permanent and can not easily take off.
It is because of the commitment they demand and their permanent nature that people often hesitate to be tattooed; And that's exactly why people tend to get tattooed in henna. Since henna tattoos do not require any commitment and are temporary by nature, everyone can do one without having to worry that he does not get rid of.
Easy to edit and change
Speaking of commitment, this commitment also extends to the fact that you need to wear a tattoo that your artist may not have done correctly. This is not the case with henna tattoos because they put more time to attach to the skin.
This leaves much more room for error and even allows you to change the pattern if it does not suit you. This still adds to the temporary nature of henna tattoos and makes them all the more inclusive for everyone.
PAINLESS
Another of the major benefits of henna tattoos is that they are totally painless and do not take too much time to add. Unlike permanent tattoos that use needles to add ink into the skin, henna naturally infiltrates into the skin. The process is totally painless and takes much less time.
According to the artist and the reason you want to get, the tattoo process can take from a few minutes to a few hours.
The tattoo process
The henna tattoo process is very similar to that of a permanent tattoo, except that there are fewer needles. The henna tattoo is almost therapeutic in a certain way and is much more relaxing than most people expect.
Artists often use a free hand when working on a henna tattoo and it takes a few minutes or a few hours, depending on the motive you want to get. Once they have applied the tattoo, the real challenge is to wait for the dry tattoo.
Unlike conventional tattoos, henna tattoos stay long on the skin so that it can color it properly. This means that you will need to be careful not to remove it before it is able to settle properly into the skin.
Artists often recommend not to remove the henna yourself, but let it dry and fall alone. This prevents the tattoo from being fading faster than expected.
Some artists even add a mixture of lemon juice and sugar on the finished product so that the dye remains longer in the skin. Although this is totally optional and not at all necessary, artists recommend applying this dough to your tattoo for at least four hours. The dough ends up drying up, after which the dye reaches its maximum intensity for the next 48 hours.
What is the duration of tattoo life?
The henna tattoos are semi-permanent and leave a stain on the skin that ends up fading completely. Due to the natural process of skin exfoliation, henna tends to fade fairly quickly. The optimal time for the henna to completely fades between a week and one month. This avoids long-term commitment that is often associated with permanent tattoos and allows you to enjoy your body art.
That being said, there is a way to maintain your tattoo in henna and continue to give it a living and fresh appearance. By applying a little beeswax or olive oil on your skin, you will be able to keep your tattoo fresh. The application of an oil layer is particularly important when you go swimming or when you bathe.
Using the Henne
If you are convinced of making you tattoo in henna, there are a multitude of ways to do it. You can either go to a professional artist or in a dedicated studio to make you tattoo, or do it yourself. Doing one's own henna tattoo is incredibly fun in itself, especially if you have a friend with whom experience.
Although buying henna be incredibly practical, you should always make your own henna at home. Many artists prefer that you do your own henna at home and you do not use henna whom you can find in the commerce.
The henna you find on the market uses Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) in the solution, which essentially shortens the time that the henna takes to fix.
Before you thought it's a good thing, the PPD offers a different henna color and can possibly cause an allergic reaction to your skin because of its sensitizing effects. This means that if your immune system considers this substance as harmful, in contact, your skin can show the signs of an allergic reaction. In simpler terms, in contact with the substance, your skin can begin to swell and develop blisters.
Since the henna that you normally find in the commerce can have such an adverse reaction on your body, it is better for you to make henna at home. Not only will you get a much more brilliant color, but the mixture will also be much safer and will not present any risk of allergic reaction.
Top 10 of the best tattoo ideas in Henne
Now that you know everything there is to know about henna tattoos, here are some tattoo ideas in henna to help you get started:
- Lotus flower
- Henna forearm
- The peacock
- The Tree of Love
- Tattoo elephant
- Henna headband
- Dream Catcher
- Crescent moon
- Mandala tattoo
- Hibou Tououage
1) Lotus Flower
The lotus is one of the most delicate and symbolic flowers, and is often used as tattoo. That said, this piece manages to combine the lotus flower with a very beautiful Arab aesthetic. Tattoo succeeds in perfectly combining medium-oriental and Western styles. The lotus is accompanied by several other small flowers that surround it, as well as pearls at the end of the tattoo. This tattoo is incredibly beautiful and is an excellent starting point for you.
2) Forearm in henna
This henna tattoo manages to merge three different henna patterns and styles to create this incredibly inventive and beautiful sleeve. The handle carries a multitude of complex patterns, forearm to small details on the finger connecting to the entire sleeve.
3) The peacock
This peacock tattoo is also a masterpiece thanks to its complex design and the general attention to detail. Peacock tattoos symbolize vigilance, spirituality and protection, and are very famous spiritual animals in Hinduism. Tattoo design is also incredibly intuitive and highlights the peacock and its beautiful feathers.
4) The Tree of Love
An interpretation of the original painting of the love tree by Wendy Smith, this tattoo of love tree manages to capture everything that is beautiful in the original painting. Even if this tattoo does not have the color and the backdrop that make painting such a masterpiece, it is always able to be beautiful and carry the same meaning. The love tree also manages to appear incredibly simple, while being incredibly complicated in its design. The most common meaning associated with trees is that of resilience and longevity.
5) this elephant tattoo
Elephants are a religious figures in its own right because they have been venerated in various religions and cultures. Elephant tattoos often symbolize luck and prosperity. This henna tattoo represents an incredibly happy elephant made of various other patterns, shapes and drawings. The henna tattoo is able to capture properly everything that makes this elephant in this tattoo. Other than the elephant, the artist also shows small flowers with fingers above the tattoo.
6) Headband in Henne
Let's move on to a simpler tattoo design but just as beautiful, the henna band. The henna band is an incredibly simplistic design while being elegant and absolutely amazing to watch. This tattoo is reminiscent of Arab aesthetics without being too tapped. If you are looking for a simple and discreet tattoo, it's the tattoo you need. Tattoo also has complex lines and patterns, making it an essential tattoo for people who have fun on such motives.
7) Catch-up
Dream sensors are sacred talismans that are supposed to protect people from bad dreams. Native Americans are often tattooed with dreams because they symbolize a sense of well-being and personal security for the tattoo wearer. This tattoo shows a small dream catch on the wrist with feathers extending until the forearm. Although it's a simple tattoo in henna, it's just nice to watch. If it is not attractive enough, you can always mix it with a flower, which gives it a unique look.
8) The crescent moon
The crescent moon is one of the most famous tattoos. People are often tattooed this kind of object because it symbolizes femininity and, in some communities, refers to sleep. This tattoo represents a crescent moon with detailed patterns inside the moon. This creates an incredibly unique design that is not only beautiful but has a very important meaning for you.
9) This mandala incredibly detailed
This list would be definitely incomplete without talking about the mandalas. The mandalas are incredibly complex circular diagrams that people have finished by associating henna tattoos. Tattoos with henna in Mandala, or tattoos in Mandala in general, have become more and more popular thanks to their complex design and their general aesthetics. Although any Mandala tattoo make the task perfectly, this tattoo is incredibly detailed and rather takes the shape of a floral pattern. The Mandala pattern is also incredibly versatile in terms of location, because you can get this tattoo anywhere on your body and it will be just as beautiful.
10) Owl tattoo
Owls have long been considered as the wisest of all animals. This wisdom also extends to the tattoos of owls, because one of the main reasons why people are tattooed is that they symbolize knowledge and wisdom. In Greek mythology, the owl was the companion of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. That the owl tattoos make you worse or not are certainly subject to debate, but there is no doubt about the beauty of this tattoo. This owl tattoo in henna manages to capture the beauty and magnificence of owls, as well as their massive eyes.
CONCLUSION
Henna tattoos are probably the most famous temporary tattoo type, and for good reason. Since they are entirely organic and pose less risk of provoking infections, they have managed to grow tremendously in the Middle East and South Asia countries.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a little more color in your temporary tattoos, you can always try the silicone henna. The henna silicone or henna white is a variation of the traditional henna which gives a white color other than the usual reddish brown color which appears after the drying of the henna. You can manufacture the henna yourself or buy henna ready for use in store.
The henna resisted the test of time during the many centuries where people used it in the context of religious or cultural traditions. Regardless of its use in Eastern countries, henna has only gained popularity in Western countries through its organic and temporary properties. This avoids people with long-term commitment that is often associated with permanent tattoos.
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