Inside: Beautiful Henna Tattoo Ideas, History + Designs.
Do you love tattoos but don’t want to deal with the permanent ink design later? Give henna tattoos a try. The ‘ink’ is a paste made from a particular plant, and the design fades with time so you can get as intricate a design as you want. The paste is available in various colors, from red and orange to even black, so the designs pop irrespective of your skin tone.
From detailed and intricate designs too small and simple, these Henna Tattoo Ideas are perfect for you. Grab your own henna kit and try out some fun and unique tattoo ideas for yourself!
Let’s dive into this beautiful art form and how it differs from tattoos.
What is Henna?
Henna tattoos are temporary tattoos that use natural henna dyes as pigments. When applied, a red stain forms on your skin for about 2 weeks. If you like that look, you can leave it on until it fades away on its own. However, if you don’t want to wait for your henna tattoo to vanish naturally, there are ways of speeding up its disappearance.
How long does henna last?
Henna tattoos can last anywhere from one week to three weeks, depending on how fast your body metabolizes them. If you would like to know how long yours will last, you can do a test spot (try behind your ear or on your inner wrist) before you go all-out on a full tattoo. If you choose a light color, like pale yellow or peach, your henna tattoo may only last one week.
It has been believed that henna tattoos can bring luck, good fortune, peace, and protection. Today, getting a tattoo is merely a style statement or fashion accessory. With new henna tattoo designs coming up all the time, it’s time you get one as well! But with so many options in front of you, it might be difficult for you to make that decision.
Henna tattoos have become a popular design choice in recent years, thanks to their intricacy, vibrancy, and versatility. These days, henna tattoos are gaining popularity at weddings & other events due to their non-permanent nature.
Types of Henna Tattoos You Can Get
Some henna designs are more popular than others. Here are some popular ones that you can get:
The Arabic Design
Arabic henna designs incorporate floral elements and intricate lines. These are usually drawn on hands and legs, especially for brides. Some space is left between the designs for a gorgeous effect.
The Indian Design
Indian henna, aka ‘mehndi,’ is popular in South Asia and is known for its classical look. The design incorporates shapes, curves, animals, flowers, peacocks, and other South Asian elements. The cultural aspects give this henna tattoo a timeless look.
Simple Tattoo Design
As the name shows, simple henna art are normally small in size and incorporate tiny elements for a fleshed-out look. These unique henna tattoo ideas include cute cartoons, cute tiny flowers, and other symbols that make this henna design the most versatile out of all of the designs.
Crown Chakra Design
This henna tattoo is usually made on the shoulder, hand, stomach, and neck. The crown chakra is popular among all genders. Also known as the Sahasrara, it is a complex circle that symbolizes truth and the union of the soul with a higher power.
Henna Tattoo Designs
These henna tattoo ideas are uniquely designed and beautifully done, here are a few of our favorites for every part of your body.
2. Small Palm Henna Tattoo Ideas
3. Easy Vine Henna Tattoo Design
8. Long Leg Henna Tattoo
Hand Henna Tattoo Ideas
13. Simple Henna Tattoo
18. Detailed Henna Tattoo
Henna vs. Tattoo Designs
Henna and tattoo designs are as different as night and day, even though they seem similar. Here are some differences that can help you make an informed decision:
The Creation Process of Henna
Henna tattoo ideas & designs are made with a special thick paste derived from the henna plant’s powdered form. The artist fills the paste in a piping bag and uses the tip to draw the designs. The thinner the design, the more detailed the result. The dye leaves a pattern behind on the skin once the paste has completely dried. This usually takes a couple of hours.
How It Compares To Regular tattoos
On the other hand, regular tattoos are made using a tattoo gun, ink, and needles. The artist uses the needles and the gun to punch ink into the upper layer of the skin. This gives these tattoos their permanency and why they can only be removed with cosmetic surgical procedures such as a laser.
Duration Of Each
Henna tattoos are made with a dyed paste that never penetrates the skin, so the design lasts only as long as the dye stains are on the skin, which can range from 4 to 12 days depending on the type of henna used. The dye fades in patches before disappearing.
Since regular tattoos are pushed into the dermis, they do not fade and can only be removed using invasive procedures. Extremely intricate ones cannot be completely removed via laser tattoo removal. Your skin will always show some indication that it was there.
Small Henna Tattoo Ideas
Looking to add a little beauty to your body, but don’t what a large commitment, these small henna tattoo ideas are a great place to start.
19. Small Lotus
20. Simple Henna Tattoo Ideas
21. Hawaiian Flower
22. Henna Tattoo Cool Design
23. Henna Tattoo Ideas Easy
26. Viney Design
Risks and Skin Impact
Henna tattoos
If made with top-quality henna plant powder, henna tattoos do not impact the skin or leave blemishes behind as it fades. The paste is applied on the top of the skin rather than pushed underneath it, so there is no pain. The process can take less time than a traditional tattoo since you won’t flinch each time the artist takes the piping bag to your skin.
However, low-quality or pre-mixed henna paste can react badly with certain skin types. Black ones, for instance, can be quite toxic since they are made using paraphenylenediamine (PPD). This chemical is usually found in hair dye, but in concentrated amounts, so it doesn’t have a toxic effect. Since henna powders are typically made at home by online sellers, many unknowingly use too much PPD in their products.
When that paste is applied to the skin, it leaves chemical burns, blisters, and swollen skin behind. The scarring is usually permanent and in the pattern that the henna artist draws. Better yet, avoid black henna altogether. The paste should not be black or leave black stains. The shade should be between orange and brown. The darker the henna paste, the higher the chances it contains deadly chemicals.
Regular tattoos
Ink tattoos are riskier than the henna variety since it requires the artist to puncture the skin. If done incorrectly or in unclean conditions, the process can leave scars and cause serious infections, blood-borne diseases, inflammations, rashes, allergic reactions, and even MRI issues.
The Verdict On Henna Tattoo Ideas
Your choice on whether you should get a henna tattoo or an ink one should depend on your budget and aesthetic needs. If you have never gotten a tattoo before, try out a henna one first to see if you like the design you choose and how it appears on your skin. Since the dye will fade with time, you can always get a regular tattoo later in the same place.
But be cautious. No cosmetic procedure is 100% safe. Low-quality or black henna paste is notorious for being highly toxic. Similarly, a tattoo needle or gun in untrained hands can cause lasting and irreversible damage that no laser or surgical procedure can remove.
So do thorough research before visiting any henna artist or tattoo artist. Read reviews, both the good and the bad, and make an informed decision. The hard work will be worth it in the end. For more information on different types of tattoos and their care, check out our ultimate Tattoo aftercare guide.
More Fun Tattoo Ideas You’ll Love
- Iris Tattoo Ideas – The iris is a stunning flower that blooms in many colors, but the most popular is purple. Year after year, iris flowers bloom without any human intervention. They are resilient and are a symbol of faith, hope, wisdom, and love. It’s no wonder why so many people decide to get inked with an iris. Check out these gorgeous iris flower tattoo ideas.
- Wedding Ring Tattoo Ideas – One of the latest trends in the wedding world is a wedding ring tattoo. They can be designed with dates, names, or initials. If you don’t want a traditional wedding ring, then these wedding band tattoos are perfect for you. There is plenty of ideas to go for, from dates and names to some patterns or ring imitating. So show your eternal love for your soulmate with these sweet wedding band tattoo ideas.
- Watercolor Butterfly Tattoo Ideas – Watercolor tattoo designs are filled with vibrant colors, thick and thin lines, and realistic artwork. Gaining traction over the years, watercolor tattoos are becoming more and more popular. Once you see them, you’ll understand why! These beautiful butterfly watercolor tattoos are stylish, unique, and creative. Many watercolor pieces are larger in size because it takes more space to properly shade and get it to look more realistic. Be sure to check out these lovely designs for your next watercolor butterfly tattoo.
I'm Victoria Hudgins founder of Tattoo Glee and managing editor. I'm a Tattoo Stylist and love helping others find the best way to express all the fun and joy that is within them! Follow along with my posts for all the celebratory style your next ink design is needing.