Adorn yourself with Henna -The nature’s very own dyeing agent
What is Henna made of?
The powder form of the henna (mehendi) leaves is known as Henna. The Botanical name of the Henna(Mehendi) plant is Lawsonia Inermis and the plant is Commercially cultivated in Morocco, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, tunisia,India,Yaman,Iran,Libya and Egypt.
The powder form of the henna (mehendi) leaves is known as Henna. The Botanical name of the Henna(Mehendi) plant is Lawsonia Inermis and the plant is Commercially cultivated in Morocco, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, tunisia,India,Yaman,Iran,Libya and Egypt.
How does Henna work
Henna works through the presence of the pigment Lawsone also known as Hennotannic Acid .Lawsone is a tannin which is also found in tea, it is a burgundy organic compound with an affinity for bonding with protein. Lawsone that has an afffinity for bonding with protein is absorbed into skin and hair staining the outer layer of the skin called epidermis.Lawsone slowly migrates to the epidermis and binds to the proteins in it creating a stain.
Henna works through the presence of the pigment Lawsone also known as Hennotannic Acid .Lawsone is a tannin which is also found in tea, it is a burgundy organic compound with an affinity for bonding with protein. Lawsone that has an afffinity for bonding with protein is absorbed into skin and hair staining the outer layer of the skin called epidermis.Lawsone slowly migrates to the epidermis and binds to the proteins in it creating a stain.
How to make Henna darker
The lawsone molecules have to be released from the leaves of the henna in order to stain; the leaves are crushed to form a powder and then mixed with preferably hot water to form a paste. An acidic mixture strengthens the dyeing properties of the henna, lemon juice, vinegar or other mildly acidic additives may be added to the mixture. Essential oils with high levels of monoterpene alcohols such as teatree ,eucalyptus,cajeput,geranium,clove or lavender will also improve skin stain characteristics, as they hasten the process of lawsone release.
The henna powder(is primarily green in color and aromatic if it is fresh) after it is mixed should be left for a few hours so the lawsone pigment may be released from the leaves powder into the mixture.The freshness and quality of Henna paste also affects the color it gives.
Henna tends to last longer at places that generate more heat like the hands and feet specially palms and soles. Also soles and palms have the thickest layer of skin so they take up the most lawsone and take it to the greatest depth so the color is not only the darkest but stays longest as well.
The lawsone molecules have to be released from the leaves of the henna in order to stain; the leaves are crushed to form a powder and then mixed with preferably hot water to form a paste. An acidic mixture strengthens the dyeing properties of the henna, lemon juice, vinegar or other mildly acidic additives may be added to the mixture. Essential oils with high levels of monoterpene alcohols such as teatree ,eucalyptus,cajeput,geranium,clove or lavender will also improve skin stain characteristics, as they hasten the process of lawsone release.
The henna powder(is primarily green in color and aromatic if it is fresh) after it is mixed should be left for a few hours so the lawsone pigment may be released from the leaves powder into the mixture.The freshness and quality of Henna paste also affects the color it gives.
Henna tends to last longer at places that generate more heat like the hands and feet specially palms and soles. Also soles and palms have the thickest layer of skin so they take up the most lawsone and take it to the greatest depth so the color is not only the darkest but stays longest as well.