Henna is dye prepared from a plant known as the henna tree. It can also refer to temporary body art resulting from the staining of the skin from the dyes. The dye is applied to clean and dry skin, and takes between several minutes for a simple design. The more complicated can take several hours.
Nowadays, most parties, not just kids parties, include some henna bodywork. And when you are at the party, henna is awesome and great and all of that. But you come back home, and now, you want to remove henna. You do not want to sleep with the colors on you, and you definitely do not want to go to work the next day. With that in mind, how to remove henna?
Before we get to the home remedies for henna removal, let’s just say that henna is temporary. And as such, it will fall off eventually on its own. Henna works by staining your dead skin cells.
Do not panic, but even if you exfoliate before, you still have 7-10 layers of dead skin cells on you. On its own, henna can last between 1 and 4 weeks. Usually, it looks fresh for just one week, and fades after that. If you like to get henna off faster, you will need to look at the tips for henna removal.
Reader's Roadmap
Bleach
One of the most effective ways to remove henna stains is bleaching. Most of us have some bleaching agents at home. Just get your regular bleach, blend it according to directions, and then apply on your stains. Allow the bleach to dry for a few minutes, and then rinse with normal water. If your henna is not off, repeat the process after a few hours.
Baking soda and lemon juice
Baking soda is considered an effective bleacher as well. We know that you can use baking soda to remove stains in the kitchen as a cleaning agent. And now, we’ve got a solution for removing henna.
Prepare a thick paste by mixing baking soda and lemon juice. The ratio is 1:1, but how much you will apply depends on where you want to remove henna from. For example, if you have only on your hands, 1 tablespoon of each will do the trick. But if you have more, apply more.
Apply the paste over your stains, and leave it to stay for 10 minutes. It should dry completely by that time. Exfoliate hand by using a bath sponge, and rub it in circular motion. Wash with warm water. As with the previous method, if the henna is not gone, try repeating the process again. Wash your hands, and apply moisturizer afterwards.
Warm water
Some of the ways for how to remove henna are rather simple and cheap. Warm water is one of those methods. All you have to do is take a large bowl of warm water, dip your hands in it, and rub them gently. Repeat it again and again until the stains fade out. This method works best if you use it a couple of hours after applying henna.
Anti-bacterial soaps
Most of us have some antibacterial soap at home. It is mandatory to be honest. Use this soap to wash your hands in 10 minute intervals. Anti-bacterial soaps work as a great exfoliator, and your goal is to get rid of dead skin cells. Removing dead skin cells will remove henna stains. You can combine the anti-bacterial soap with warm water rub for better and faster results.
Lemon juice
If you do not have baking soda at your disposal, apply just lemon juice. It will be enough. Just squeeze a lemon over your hands, and then gently rub it in circular motion. Lemon is another bleaching agent that will help you remove the color of henna.
Chlorine
The simplest way to use chlorine to remove henna is taking a swim in a pool with chlorine water. But if there is no pool near you, mixing hot water and chlorine will work as well. Mix the two ingredients in a bowl, and then dip your hands in it for 2-3 minutes. Fair warning: you might feel some itching and irritation on the beginning. But the irritation will be gone quickly, and you will notice light color of henna afterwards.
Exfoliating scrub
There are a number of homemade scrubs you can try for exfoliating. For example, try brown sugar or apricot. These scrubs will help you remove henna, but also minimize irritation to your skin. After using an exfoliator, apply moisturizer or coconut oil to calm your skin.
Olive oil and salt
As you can see by now, there are a number of home remedies that work as bleaching or exfoliating agent. All of these help you remove henna stains. For this remedy, you need to mix one cup of olive oil and three tablespoons of sea salt. The mixture will help you loosen the henna dye from your skin, and provide some exfoliation.
Coat your skin using a cotton swab, and then let the mixture soak in for a few minutes. Gently rub it off with a wet washcloth.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is another ingredient from your bathroom cabinet that you can use on henna. Apply any toothpaste on the henna tattoo, and leave it to dry for 10 minutes. Gently wash it off afterwards.
Olive oil
Many of the mixtures are just a more potent way to remove henna. The ingredients can also work on their own. This applies for olive oil as well. Just soak a cotton ball in some oil, and then rub it on your tattoo. Allow the oil to penetrate into your skin for 10 minutes, and then repeat after a few hours if the stains are still there. Bonus points: olive oil will also moisturize your skin.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide might be too much for some people to put on their skin. But it is completely safe. Just dip a cotton swab in the solution, and then gently rub it on your tattoo. You will notice the tattoo starts lightening. Just remember, do a patch test before you apply hydrogen peroxide. It is not suitable for all skin types.
Salted water
We had salt as a remedy, and we had water. Now, we mix those two together, and we get a more potent solution. Add salt to lukewarm water, let it dissolve, and then soak your hands in it for 20 minutes. Gently rub off the tattoo afterwards.
Makeup remover
If you can remove makeup, you can surely remove henna. Any silicone-based makeup remover will do the trick for a henna dye. Use a cotton swab to fully saturate your henna, and then use the makeup remover with a dry cloth. Repeat again if the stains are not fully removed.
Micellar water
Micellar water is made up of tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules. And because it is cleansing, you can use it to remove henna. Micellar water works by bonding to henna dye, and then lifting it away from the skin. It is one of the more gentle methods for removing henna stains.
Soak your skin completely in the water, let your skin absorb it for 10 minutes, and then apply pressure as your rub the skin.
Coconut oil and sugar
We know that sugar can work as an exfoliating agent. Coconut oil helps with moisturizing and hydrating your skin in the process. Start by applying coconut oil on your tattoo. Let your skin absorb the coconut oil, and then layer the raw sugar on top. Rub it over your tattoo, and then apply pressure with a washcloth to remove the oil and sugar from your skin.
Hair conditioner
Hair conditioners are made for moisturizing your hair. But you can also use them for removing henna from your skin. Apply the conditioner to the stains, let your skin absorb it for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.
