Henna Tatoo...Help

[NAB]

My son got a henna tatoo at a fair on the weekend. Not a small one either. It is a big dragon on the upper part of his arm. The woman told us to let it dry so it doesn't smudge. He wanted it to be a henna and not face paint because he wanted it to last longer. We even said we didn't want it to wash off in the shower. Now why didn't she tell me that the ink or dye would run off and make his whole arm black including his hand. Big mess in the shower it was everywhere. School pics. today too.

We dried the arm of with paper towels, I tried putting lotion just on the arm and not tatoo because I didn't want it to start running again. I sent him to school with a stained black arm. Thank goodness I got the few spots off his face. So how do I stop this from doing it again or just getting it off completely?

 

[Honu]

I've never heard of that problem. Usually the Henna crusts up (gets almost puffy) and flakes off as it dries, then you just wash off the flakes. And it's black? I've seen dark henna, but I've never seen black. It sounds more like ink.

I have heard of people using soft scrub with bleach to remove henna. It would have to be pretty bad for me to attempt that though. I would try dumping him in a chlorinated pool. Pool water definitely fades them.

 

[mickeyboat]

I had a henna tatoo once, and it was orange. I didn't know henna could be black.

I guess I would recommend a long-sleeved shirt for pictures!

Denae

 

[JunieJay]

My son got one when we were in Mexico last spring that got a little smudged. I think because he was sweaty. Fortunately it did not make a mess like you described, it was just a little smudged in some places.

Maybe you could try to use an exfoliator and a loofah sponge? I don't know that it will take it off completely, but it might speed up the process of it wearing off.

 

[NAB]

It definetly was black. He let it dry but we didn't flake anything off. It was still thick on his arm when we got in the shower. Maybe that was our mistake. Son flaked the rest off at school today. Now it is flat. Does that mean it won't do that now. His finger nails are a mess though. His arm is a nice shade of black still, guess we dyed his arm.....

 

[VioltePrincess]

FYI is also dyes the hair follicles so that even after the tattoo fades, the hair grows in the same color as the tattoo.

my 15 year old got a henna tattoo at a carnival this summer. it was in the small of her back. she let it dry overnight and brushed off the crust the next day, and walked around for quite awhile with the tattoo. after the tattoo faded away she noticed the fine blonde hairs on her back had been dyed by the henna. they grew in very dark.

 

[Clotho]

As someone who has done henna as a hobby for years, I can tell you this was not true henna. It was likely just an ink job, like they do at some faires. Usually these booths have standing kiosks with pictures of the different images they can put on you. They apply it with a pen, or an airbrush-type tool. Sometimes simply using a template, but some pay do it freehand.

Real henna is a powder, which when blended with water and lemon juice, is mixed into a thick paste. This paste is applied to the skin (in the US) with either a small bottle with a metal tip, or a plastic bag much like a pastry bag, with a small hole for the paste to pass through. Once the design is completed, the customer must let it dry for a little bit, and then some sugar/lemon/water mixture is dabbed on it with a cotton ball to help keep it moist and stuck to the skin. They may advise that you do this again at home or revisit the booth throughout the day to continue this process, so it doesn't flake off prematurely. The longer you can keep the dried paste on the skin, the darker the results will be when it flakes off. For this reason, one would hav ebeen advised to not let the henna touch anything throughout the day, and to try not to bump it or get it wet (like a shower or bath) for at least 24 hours. After that, it begins to flake, and most people will just remove it completely, revealing a dark reddish-brown design on the skin.

 

[Daxx]

As someone who has done henna as a hobby for years, I can tell you this was not true henna. It was likely just an ink job, like they do at some faires. Usually these booths have standing kiosks with pictures of the different images they can put on you. They apply it with a pen, or an airbrush-type tool. Sometimes simply using a template, but some pay do it freehand.

That is exactly what I was thinking it might be. One of the local theme parks does "henna tattoos" ... meaning the designs are mehendi/henna inspired but airbrushed on with black ink. As others posted, the henna is usually a dark brown or orange color and is painted on, dries and flakes off leaving the orangey-brown dye on the skin. Nowhere have I ever seen black henna!

I remember, years ago when my friends were getting married (his parents are from India), we had the tops of our hands and feet henna'd for the ceremony and it was great fun! I had loads of explaining to do when I went into work that Monday and it took quite awhile for it to wear off!!!! But, I loved it and have been henna'd since then. I love the look and that it's not permanent. The people who do the henna by hand are amazing artists!!!

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Try a clarifying shampoo or dishwashing liquid soap (like Dawn or Joy, not the stuff you put in the dishwasher)

I've had success with the clarifying shampoo removing "temporary" haircolor and the soap removing ink stains. That might work on your son's arm.

Try acetone-based nail polish remove to clean up his nails.

 

[MzDiz]

Beware of the black henna! This wasn't real henna he had on his arm. Whatever it was, let's hope it wasn't this - http://www.hennapage.com/henna/ppd/index.html

 

[MzDiz]

This is what real henna looks like with the paste still on - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/mysterychicken/h1.jpg

This is what it looks like right after paste removal - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/mysterychicken/h2.jpg

It's orange and gradually darkens over the next 24-36 hours to a chocolate brown color, but never black.

 

[NAB]

Clotho--- It was in a small bottle with a tip and she did use a Q-tip with something on it. to go around the design. She just told us to let it dry a good 15 minutes and not to bump because it would smudge.He got it done about 3:30 in the afternoon and had his shower this morning before school. The "ink" is staying black but it is smooth now that he picked the stuff off. No more stuff is coming of either. Also told us keep away from lotions and hair conditioner.

So how long do you think this will last? I'm just glad I won't have black running all over his arm or bathtub anymore.