What Is White Henna and Is It Safe?

The use of henna for beauty purposes dates back as far as Ancient Egypt when Cleopatra used the dye to decorate her body. 

Since then, this natural temporary tattoo has been used for religious ceremonies like weddings all the way to fun activities at festivals. The majority of these henna art pieces are created with dark colors, however, there is a fancy white alternative breaking onto the scene.

But the question remains: Is white henna the same as the ancient dye we’ve all come to know?

Follow along to find out the answer to this question and decide whether the white henna tattoo trend is safe for your skin.

What Is Henna?

Henna literally translates to plant, however, the term henna has been associated with beauty products and tattooing for years. Traditional henna is derived from the plant and shows up in shades of brown and red. 

This natural dying agent is applied to the skin and left on long enough to tint the skin.

The easy manipulation of the product makes it great for artists to leave beautiful designs behind for a few weeks. You can even purchase a henna tattoo kit online and create your own works of art right from the comfort of your own home.

Beyond skin tattoos, henna has also made a debut in natural hair dyes, brow tinting, and even manicure products. You can even make your own face masks with the plant hue to treat signs of redness and boost radiance in the skin. 

However, due to the dark coloring of the plant, you won’t find white options made the same way.

What Is White Henna?

The introduction of white coloring has made for elegant white henna designs that are becoming more and more popular with bridal parties and delicate tattoos. 

Interestingly enough, a white henna tattoo is actually not made from henna at all. The white tattoos are referring to the artwork associated with henna rather than the plant itself. 

While original henna leaves behind a stain, white henna is actually temporarily glued to the surface of the skin. This product will be water-resistant and remain on the skin for approximately 1-7 days, depending on your skin and the area it has been applied to. 

The process for this artwork involves applying a layer of cosmetic paste to the skin in the design you wish to leave. Once the adhesive starts to dry and becomes clear and tacky to the touch, you’ll dust a layer of high-quality mica powder overtop and see your tattoo come to life.

Is White Henna Safe?

While white henna isn’t from the same plant, using mica powder is safe for your skin. You will want to keep an eye out for chemical influencers in white henna products to ensure you get the safest white henna tattoo possible. 

For the best white henna, purchase products that don’t contain any bleaches, acrylic paint, or nail polish. These ingredients aren’t healthy for the skin and can cause irritation. 

White Henna For Sale

Now that you know the difference between white henna and the ancient natural plant, you can embrace the white trend knowing that it will be safe for your skin. Check your labels and use this information to ensure the most beautiful and healthy white henna tattoo for your next event or festival. 

Want to know more about natural beauty products and their uses? Check out our other articles to learn all the beauty secrets for healthy, gorgeous skin.