You need not be a professional artist to create long-lasting henna tattoos. With just a little practice, you can start personalised henna body decoration. For creating complicated henna tattoos, use a stencil. Also, instead of preparing henna paste, use a tube containing pre-made henna extracts. The following are step-by-step instructions for creating sharp and long-lasting henna tattoos.

Guide to Making Henna Tattoos

The process of creating henna tattoos is divided into three stages: selection of henna pens, drawing the tattoo and after-care.

* Selection of henna pens: Here are the points to consider while choosing an ideal henna pen.
* Henna pens containing chemical preservatives that can result in skin allergy or irritation. Hence, always select henna pens containing 100% natural ingredients.
* While choosing colours, select pens that contain a high percentage of original henna colour. Designs created with such pens last longer than the ones created by pens with artificial colours.
* Also, select a henna pen with different types of tips. Different types of tips allow varied flow, facilitating the creation of intricate designs.
* Drawing the tattoo: Creating a tattoo design is the most crucial part of making detailed henna tattoos. To begin with,

* Clean your hands with hot water and soap. You can also wipe your palms with cotton balls dipped in astringent, to remove unwanted body oils.
* Select a design which is not too complicated. Beginners must select simple designs, with thick lines. You can draw a henna tattoo directly on your hand or use a stencil or other drawing aid. If your hands shake while drawing a henna tattoo, immediately correct it with the help of a tooth pick.
* Ensure that the painted henna lines are tri-dimensional. Flat lines do not produce good colour. Once you have completed the drawing, let it dry.
* After-care: After completing the henna body decoration, follow these tips to get sharp and long lasting tattoos.
* Make a solution of sugar and lemon juice. Dab the henna tattoo with a cotton ball dipped in this solution. Apply another layer of this solution when the initial layer dries up.
* Use a hair dryer to heat the henna tattoo for better colour.
* Remove the dried henna after five hours. For intense colour, apply eucalyptus or olive oil on henna hands instantly.
* Make sure that the tattooed area does not come in contact with water for at least 8 to 18 hours after henna removal.
* When the henna tattoo starts fading, apply another layer of henna over the existing design.

Henna Body Decorations: Precautions

Do not use black henna for making henna tattoos. This is because black henna comprises para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a substance that can cause serious skin reactions. Also, if you wear contact lenses, ensure that your fingertips are clean. This helps avoid any resultant eye irritation.