Best Places For Authentic Henna Hand Art

Henna is absolutely lovely and an intricate art form all its own. It’s been around for thousands of years, and although it’s typically used for certain special occasions and ceremonies, there are those who wear it any time throughout the year. Despite its popularity, there are not a plethora of places to get it done in the United States, especially in comparison to other parts of the world. So if you admire the beauty of henna, where exactly are the best places to get authentic henna hand art done?

Boardwalk
Many boardwalks have a henna artist that can do beautiful hand art for you and typically for a reasonable price. It’s a draw for tourists and locals alike who appreciate the art, and the final work is easy to show off considering the amount of exposed skin at the beach.

Your Living Room
You can hire henna artists to come to your home and do the artwork right in your living room. It’s a fun experience for family and friends, and as henna is natural, it’s typically a safe option to have at (older) children’s parties.

Online
If you’d like to give henna a try and believe you can do it on your own hands, or you’d like a friend to do it for you, then you can purchase henna kits online. Considering it’s natural and comprised of leaves that are dried then ground up, it is perishable, so you’re going to want to make sure that the henna you get is fresh.

Henna Studios
There are henna studios that specialize in doing the art, and it’s there that you’ll be able to get intricate hand designs done by wonderful professionals. Artist profiles will often be listed on the business websites along with a portfolio of work, so you can take a gander before you go and get an idea of what’s available to you.

Warnings for Getting Henna Done
If you’ve never gotten henna done before, you’re going to want to do a small skin test. Don’t let “natural” fool you as it is possible to get an allergic reaction. It’s much better to find out via a small patch than after getting a large piece done.

When you get henna done, it stains the skin in a variety of colors from shades of brown to reddish-oranges. While pure henna is typically safe, there is something called “black henna” of which you need to be aware. It’s actually not natural henna at all despite sometimes being referred to as such, but it does include a chemical by the name of para-phenylenediamine (PPD), and it’s something that can cause awful reactions.

Longevity Details
A henna tattoo can last around a week and a half to two weeks before it starts fading, at which point it could be another week or so before it completely disappears. Since the palms of the hands are comprised of thick skin, it’s one of the areas where henna will show up the darkest. However, keep in mind that exfoliation does speed up the fading process, so you’ll want to follow the after-care instructions to ensure that your henna design stays on the hands as long as possible.

Since you are putting a substance on your body that will stain your skin for a few weeks, you’ll want to make sure to carefully choose your henna artist. Although it may be tempting to walk into any store or salon to get it done, take the time to look up the artist’s reviews and reputation beforehand to avoid any problems.