If you have a henna-related question that is not answered below, or you need further clarification, then please ask us!

Henna is a plant best known to us as a natural product used to color and condition the hair. Henna painting is an ancient cosmetic and healing art whereby the dried leaves of the henna plant are crushed into a powder, then made into a paste that is applied to the body to safely dye the skin. This is done in elaborate patterns and designs, traditionally on the hands and feet. The result is a kind of temporary tattoo, often reddish in color, which will last anywhere from several days to several weeks.

Mehndi is the word in Hindi used to describe henna, henna painting, and the resulting designs. Mehndi is practiced in many parts of the world. From the deserts of North Africa to the villages of northern India, magnificent designs blossom and vanish upon the hands and feet of women as they have for thousands of years. Most commonly associated with romantic love and the ritual of marriage, mehndi is an integral part of bridal adornment in Hindu, Moslem, and Sephardic traditions.

Henna is most definitely not the same as a tattoo. Unlike tattoos, which are permanent, henna is a temporary body art. Henna contains a red-orange dye called Lawsone that stains the first few layers of skin and fades away naturally with exfoliation. Tattoos, on the other hand, require the placement of pigment into the skin's dermis, the layer of connective tissue underlying your outermost layer of skin. Are you thinking about getting a tattoo, but aren't sure what to get or where to put it? Due to its temporary nature henna is a great way to experiment with different designs prior to getting a tattoo.

Henna will last anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the area that has been hennaed, the amount of time the paste was left on, and how often the design area is scrubbed and washed. Generally speaking, henna will produce a darker stain and last the longest on calloused areas such as the palms or feet. Stains will become darker the longer that the paste remains on the skin and will fade faster when the skin is exfoliated from washing and scrubbing.

No, the application of henna does not hurt. On the contrary, it is actually a very soothing and relaxing process. Henna is applied to the skin by squeezing paste out of a cone onto your skin, much like decorating a cake. Unlike tattooing, there are no needles involved!

Natural henna is safe for most everyone, including pregnant women. It is not safe for infants or children with G6PD deficiency, and may cause minor skin irritation on people sensitive to lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus essential oils. Black henna, which is not natural, contains a chemical called PPD and can be very harmful. Artists who use PPD-based henna put their client's health at risk. Always ask your henna artist what ingredients are used in their henna. If they won't tell you what ingredients are used, or you don't like the sound of what they tell you, please trust your instinct and don't put the stuff on your skin! We want our clients to be safe and informed, so if you are concerned, please contact us to arrange a patch test or get a list of ingredients used in our all-natural henna.

Henna Carolina does not offer black henna. Black henna contains PPD, a toxic chemical that causes allergic reactions, permanent scars, and internal problems. PPD-laced henna leaves a jet black stain in just minutes, and is often found in touristy beach areas or carnivals. Real, all-natural henna smells herbal, and leaves a rich orange-brown-red stain which takes hours to fully develop. Henna Carolina uses high quality all natural henna for a beautiful color and safe experience. It is important to note, however, that as the henna paste dries on the skin it turns a very dark brown color which often appears black. Thus, photos on the Henna Carolina website where the henna appears black is actually henna with the paste still on.

Henna Carolina's primary artist, Melinda, has a passion for creating beautiful and unique henna designs. She is committed to using the freshest, all-natural henna available and will only henna in a safe, clean environment. She respects any concerns you may have about the safety of henna and encourages her clients to be knowledgeable about anything and everything they put on their skin.