Henna is the world’s oldest cosmetic, with it’s earliest known use as a hair dye 8,000 years ago in Africa. This desert shrub has leaves with a natural dye molecule that is released when combined with lemon juice and essential oils. Women have been adorning each other to bless rites of passage and other ceremonies since recorded history. Pregnancy and Postpartum henna is a beautiful African ritual and is recreated here in Colorado.
A cooling henna paste is applied and the natural dye molecule slowly sinks into the layers of skin. The thicker the skin, (like the palm) the darker the henna tattoo can become. This paste rests on the skin for 2 to 6 hours. The first shade of the henna tattoo will be very light, it takes 2 to 3 days to fully oxidize to it’s deepest color. After that, the process of natural exfoliation will cause the design to fade after 1 to 2 weeks.
