Henna and Its Use in Mehndi

Henna is a natural dye made from the powdered leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant. When mixed into a paste, it is applied to the skin in detailed designs, a practice known as mehndi. The paste should remain on the skin for at least two hours before being allowed to flake off naturally, or it can be gently scraped away. It should not be washed off with water while the paste is still present, as moisture can reactivate it and reduce the quality of the stain. Once all of the paste has flaked away, the skin can be washed normally. The initial stain is light orange and darkens over 24 to 48 hours into a deep reddish-brown color, lasting until it fades with the natural regeneration of skin cells.