What is henna, and how does it work?

Henna is derived from a small tree. The leaves contain a dye which stains your skin - similar to turmeric or beets. With henna the dye molecule (lawsone) binds to the keratin in your skin, creating a semi-permanent stain!

Henna paste is applied to your skin and dries to a dark brown-black color. The paste is removed after a few hours. The resulting stain is initially a bright orange. It gradually oxidizes to a dark red-brown after about 48 hours. It may be nearly black in solidly colored areas and where skin is thickest (like the palms or soles of the feet).

Henna paste is applied to your skin and dries to a dark brown-black color. The paste is removed after a few hours, and the resulting stain is initially a bright orange. It gradually oxidizes to a dark red-brown after about 48 hours. It may be nearly black in solidly colored areas and where skin is thickest (like the palms or soles of the feet).

Henna penetrates only the top few layers of skin, so as your skin exfoliates away, so does the henna stain. This is what makes it temporary compared with a permanent ink tattoo. Ink tattoos use a needle to penetrate deeply enough that they will not exfoliate away.

The stain will gradually darken over the course of about 48 hours. This happens because of oxidization. Air oxidizes the henna stain much like it does an apple.