Skilful and decorative henna tattoos are familiar sight in many holiday destinations abroad. Even in Western countries, henna tattoos are seen every now and then. Henna tattoo is a more carefree way to decorate your body than traditional tattoos. I learned the secrets of henna tattooing myself with the guidance of henna artist, Ms. Johanna Rautkoski. Johanna Rautkoski also agreed to be interviewed for this article. I asked Johanna more details about henna tattoos and everything else related to the topic. There have been a lot of horror stories about henna tattoos, which can limit many people’s desires getting one. Johanna wants to deliver correct information and encourage everyone to try henna tattoos.
Johanna, how did you become a henna artist?
It all started back in 2017 in a folk high school course, when I realized that henna can also be made using completely natural materials. I got easily addicted to henna, I could not stop. As a teenager, I drew tattoos for friends with an ink pen, and now surprisingly, years later, I found a lot smarter way and concept. I enjoy it when I can share Henna’s good news and teach the skill further.
The hobby eventually escalated into a part-time job. In addition, I do graphic design and various project-type works that fit my values.
the reason for Johanna’s interest in henna tattoos is because of Henna’s endless possibilities. It is fascinating how the skin can be coloured with nature’s own substances and always in a slightly different way. Henna also fits well with my personal style and colour scheme; it is nice to walk around carrying Henna tattoos. The possibilities to express oneself with the help of Henna are endless and the visual side fascinates; there are no limits when decorating yourself using Henna, says Johanna.
The history of Henna tattooing
Henna tattoos do not represent just today’s fashion. The history of using Henna on the skin is long and colourful. I asked Johanna a little about the history of henna tattooing.
The henna plant has been utilized wherever the plant thrives; in North Africa and the southern regions of the Middle East. Henna was originally used in hot climates for its skin-cooling properties. The Henna paste was applied either by hand or using dipping technique, to colour the soles of the feet or the palms and fingers. Patterning only came later. Henna is also a medicinal plant. Different parts of it have been used for different purposes, mostly externally. Henna is said to have antibacterial and antifungal properties; it has been used to prevent various infections and fungal infections in both humans and animals, and even in the treatment of open wounds.
Many consider henna tattoos as religious and cultural rituals. Do henna tattoos have a religious meaning?
Absolutely, answers Johanna. Henna has been used in many different religions throughout the ages, but the most famous Henna is part of Indian culture and especially in connection with weddings. However, it has been used in many different faiths in different eras, and the meaning can vary between different religions and celebrations. Henna can be used to make protective patterns at Moroccan circumcision rituals or to decorate the bride’s hands at Indian weddings. The darker the Henna, the better the combination. In general, Henna is a messenger of joy and is a social part of celebrations, both in religious and other celebrations.
Why do Westerners want to decorate their skin with henna?
I have personally met people wearing henna tattoos in Asia. I asked Johanna why western people also want to decorate their skin with henna?
There are different opinions about Henna tattoos. People are either completely excited or not interested in at all, says Johanna. Those who get excited, feel the exotism of the Henna patterns, the beauty, the magic of the colour adhesion and the vivid result. The magic touch of henna is meditative and relaxing for many do-it-yourself -people. When doing that, you will immerse yourself in the moment, which is quite rare feeling nowadays.
Henna is a form of dressing up and self-expression, just like jewellery, clothes or real tattoos. Hennas still have a novelty value here, and yes, big, showy hennas turn heads and spark up conversations.
You can also give henna your own meanings that are important to you. For example, in the spirit of belly blessing, decorating your belly when you are pregnant, decorating scars, or other personal empowerment related to your body or mind.
What raw materials are used to make a henna tattoo?
The safety of henna worries many. There are horror stories from around the world about how Henna has ruined the skin and endangered people’s health. I asked Johanna what Henna is and what are the chemicals used in the henna mass?
I now found out that there are two types of Henna: the natural henna, which is made only from the henna plant, and henna with chemicals, which can be very dangerous to your health.
Natural henna paste contains ground leaves of the henna plant, lemon, sugar, water and essential lavender oil. No chemicals are needed when the paste is stored frozen. Btw, this is easy way to recognize the difference between natural henna and chemical henna: if the ready-made paste is sold at room temperature or with different colour options, it is not natural henna.
Henna powder is made from the leaves of the henna plant (lawsonia inermis) by drying and grinding them into a fine powder. The plant is the same that is commonly used for natural hair dyeing, but the powder must be the tattoo quality (BAQ = body art quality).
The colour of genuine Henna is always and without exception rust red. According to Tukes, the Finnish Safety and chemical Agency, henna itself is a well-tolerated cosmetic dye and rarely causes allergic reactions. But you can also be allergic to lemon or the adhesive tape used to attach the henna paste. The exception is if someone is suffering from the natural deficiency of the G6PD enzyme but this is very rare symptom in Western countries.
Is Henna toxic or otherwise harmful to the skin?
In many countries, henna tattoos are viewed very critically. For example, in the USA, the FDA has not approved colours intended for henna tattoos. Johanna opened the topic a bit and told why henna tattoos have not got the approval.
Henna paste is also made chemically, which allows the paste to be stored at room temperature, the effect time on the skin is shortened, and colour scale is like a rainbow. Chemical hennas can contain anything, so it is important to know what henna paste contains. For example, the permitted maximum concentration of PPD in hair dyes in the EU is 2%. Despite of this limit, concentrations of up to 40% have been found in black henna. Essential oil can be replaced with kerosene or some other toxic chemical…
From time to time, there are warnings in media about the dangers of henna tattoos, but there is a lot of confusion, because the media does not do their homework properly. Chemical henna is completely different product than the real natural henna. My guess is that all these headlines and stories are based on problems caused by chemical Henna but I cannot swear that it is the case. Anyway, it is my humble guess.
Let your imagination run wild when planning henna tattoos
While exploring the world of henna tattoos, I discovered how fun it is to design henna patterns. In the beginning, you should design henna patterns on paper or plastic. This is the best way to learn how to handle a henna piping tube.
I asked Johanna if henna tattoos have to follow certain traditional styles or can you use your own imagination:
It is everyone’s personal decision how to use henna, says Johanna. Henna is a dye, a material just like any other, but of course it is polite to take into account the cultural origin of Henna, and avoid excessive designs. By getting to know the henna cultures of different countries, the relationship with Henna deepens and becomes richer.
Different stylistic directions of henna patterns are, just to mention some, geometric densely patterned Moroccan henna, decorative Arabic henna that utilizes the feeling of empty space, and the best-known Indian henna, the most skilful examples of which are intense wedding hennas that fill the entire hand and forearm on both sides.
How long does a henna tattoo last and can it be removed immediately if you don’t like the pattern?
A henna tattoo will not last forever, but it also does not come off the skin immediately. I myself started drawing on the skin with a very small henna pattern. I did it on an area that I could cover with clothes if needed. My henna pattern lasted about 2 weeks. I noticed that the pattern faded pretty much in the sauna.
Johanna agrees about the durability of henna designs. The henna colour binds to the skin’s proteins, the keratin, and wears off as the skin regenerates, says Johanna. The pattern lasts on the skin from a few days to up to two weeks. Wear and tear cannot be accelerated beyond its limit, and the speed of skin renewal is individual. Of course, by soaking or exfoliating the skin, you can slightly promote the disappearance of the pattern in the final stage. If you notice while making a pattern that it didn’t go as planned, you can of course wash it off right away. In this case, an orange mark will remain on the skin, but the pattern will remain lighter and only stay on the skin for a while.
Can a henna tattoo be bought as a service if you don’t want or know how to do henna tattoos yourself?
Many people fall in love with henna patterns and want one for themselves. However, many are not ready to spend time learning henna patterns. I asked Johanna if a henna tattoo can be bought like a visit to a hairdresser or beautician.
Of course, you can! I make henna tattoos by appointment, either from a ready-made catalogue or as custom-made patterns, which are designed according to wishes in advance. In addition, there are several henna artists in the capital region. Getting henna tattoos, like buying other beauty services, is slowly making its way to Finland as well.
In Johanna’s opinion, making henna is the perfect hobby for anyone who enjoys making things with their hands.
Making henna tattoos is easy, the pattern is temporary, and it does not hurt, even if it does not always go perfectly. Enjoy the process and in a couple of weeks you will be able to create new patterns to replace the old ones. A small warning: this might get you addicted to the hobby.
Practical help to start henna hobby can be obtained from henna courses (live or online course) Inspiration and tips can be found on Instagram.
- Follow Johanna in Instagram: www.instagram.com/wild_style_henna
- Versatile Henna website, recommended by Johanna: https://www.hennapage.com/
Have you ever tried henna tattoos?