If you have never seen henna work in person, you might be a little confused by the photos in this book. When henna is first painted on the body, the paste is thick, moist, and dark. After the henna paste dries and is treated with lemon sugar, it is left on the body for as long as the wearer can leave it on so that the design will take. The scent of henna will remain on the skin as long as the dark paste is left on. Then the dried henna is scraped off, and the henna tattoo left on the skin is visible. The skin is actually dyed by the henna paste. The longer you can leave the paste on, the darker the design will be. The color of the henna will be in the red family, anywhere from orange to sienna to deeper reds. This depends on skin tone, where on the body you have chosen to be painted, the quality of the henna, and the amount of time the dried paste is left on the skin. Notice the differences between the prescraped and postcraped mehndi photos in the book.

If you cannot find a henna artist in your hometown, you will have to do the legwork yourself. The first step is finding a good supplier of henna products. This is not as easy as it sounds. Although the popularity of henna has increased the availability of henna products, you should be aware that there are many products of inferior quality lurking about. No matter where you purchase your henna, make absolutely sure that you are not buying henna meat for the hair. First of all, this kind of henna will not take on the skin, and second, it might be full of harmful additives. So be careful.

The best place to find quality henna is in an ethnic store: Indian, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, or Islamic. Look in the Yellow Pages for locations. If you know people of Middle Eastern or Indian heritage, you might ask them if they know where to find these specialty shops. Many towns and cities have sections where certain ethnic groups congregate, and these areas can be great places to find materials for henna painting. Shops like this are often magical places, filled with the scent of exotic herbs and spices. These stores can make you feel as if you are in a foreign country. Take a moment to notice the details. This is the beginning of your journey into mehndi, and even the shopping part shouldn’t be taken for granted.

If you cannot find a henna artist in your hometown, you will have to do the legwork yourself. The first step is finding a good supplier of henna products. This is not easy as it sounds. Although the popularity of henna has increased the availability of henna products, you should be aware that there are many products of inferior quality lurking about. No matter where you purchase your henna, make absolutely sure that you are not buying henna meant for the hair. First of all, this kind of henna will not take on the skin, and second it might be full of harmful additives. So be careful.

The best place to find quality henna is in an ethnic store; Indian, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, or Islamic. Look in the Yellow Pages for locations. If you know people of Middle Eastern or Indian heritage, you might ask them if they know where to find these specialty shops. Many towns and cities have sections where certain ethnic groups congregate, and these areas can be great places to find materials for henna painting. Shops like this are often magical places, filled with the scent of exotic herbs and spices. These stores can make you feel as if you are in a foreign country. Take a moment to notice the details. This is the beginning of your journey into mehndi, and even the shopping part shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Another thing to watch out for when shopping is the label “black henna.” Real henna is never black. It just appears black before it has been scraped from the skin. Since henna has grown so trendy, many black henna products have been made available commercially. These products are not real henna. True henna will be anywhere from green to brown in raw form. On the skin, after the paste has been scraped off, the designs will be in the red family. The color will vary from person to person and from one body part to another. Henna should have a deep and fragrant smell, like fresh herbs. If your nostrils detect anything that seems artificial or chemically based in the henna powder, do not buy it. A lot of henna currently available is chemically treated. It will not always say so on the package.

If you are committed to practicing authentic henna art, you should go with natural henna. Usually the type of henna in chain stores at malls is the unnatural variety. Later on I will discuss the merits and drawbacks of using instant, artificial “henna” products.

Another option is to buy premade paste. If you know a local henna artist who is willing to do this for you, you need to do your painting within a few days because real henna paste is perishable. Ask the artist not to use any additives in the mix. Beware of buying premade paste from commercial distributors because they are certain to contain chemical preservatives. Premade they are certain to contain chemical preservatives. Premade paste is a great option if you want to get right to creating designs. If you have access to premade paste, much of the information about buying and working with henna powder does not apply to you right now, but you might want to read it just for fun.

If you find top quality henna powder, all you really need to make a paste is the powder and water. Sometimes people use unusual ingredients in their recipes. You can experiment with this if you want to, but we are going to present only simple recipes here. When your work gets more sophisticated some of the ingredients you might buy include eucalyptus oil, mustard oil, cloves, okra, tamarind, garlic, pepper, orange-blossom, water, cardamom, ground black walnut hulls, fenugreek seeds, pomegranate, and limes. These are some exotic additions to enhance the basic henna recipes.

If you have made the decision to experiment with henna painting, there is alot of planning involved in the process. Keep in mind that practice is essential to the craft. Keep in mind that practice is essential to the craft, and do not get discouraged if your designs are not perfect at first. Another thing to remember is that if you get really goo at mehndi, you might be able to do it professionally someday! Because henna has exploded in popularity, there is a great demand for henna artists in conventional places like beauty parlors. Traditional tattoo parlors now employ henna artists as well. If you think you might want to become a professional mehndi artist, you will have to learn business skills in addition to the craft of henna painting.

It is highly recommended that you first try to find a local henna artist to talk about mehndi. It is probably a good idea to get some work done by a professional mehndi painter before you try it yourself. If there is a henna artist in your community, contact her and inquire about rates and training. Ask how long she has been practicing. Often artists will have a book you can view to check out their work beforehand. Once you feel that the artist is competent, make an appointment.

Do not be shy about using your time with her to ask as many questions as you can think of about mehndi. Ask about local supplier; ask her to share her recipes if she is willing; ask her what designs her clients like the best. Don’t forget to ask the meaning of the design she paints for you. You can even request a special design. Once you have had work done by artist, there is a good chance you will be inspired to do it for yourself and your friends. Being painted feels great, and when the henna dries, the designs are beautiful and eye-catching. They are definitely conversation pieces! The application of henna is thought to be healing and rejuvenating to the body. Some people say it is like going to a spa. Maybe that is why the treatment is offered at beauty parlors. Henna artists report that the work they do makes them feel good, too. Most massage therapists and other hands-on healers believe that healing is a reciprocal art. Giving a massage or painting mehndi heals the practitioner as the work is done.

Mehndi is considered a woman’s art. Although men often painted and practice mehndi, too. As more Westerners begin to practice the art, this trend will continue. Historically, it has most often been painted on the hands and feet of women about to be married. The word shringar, an Hindu term, refers to the beauty of a woman’s creativity. Mehndi is one of the ways that Indian women express their shringar. Women have traditionally used mehndi as a means to celebrate life. In America, we bake cakes and buy cards to mark special occasions. Mehndi designs are unique reminders of important occasions and last for up to two weeks!

No one really knows where mehndi originated. Some people think it started in ancient Egypt. Egyptians were known to dye their fingertips with henna. It was considered impolite to leave one’s fingertips unpainted. Some historians believe that the Egyptians may have given the henna plant to the people of India as a gift. It’s truly amazing that so little is known about the origins of mehndi, an art that carries with it so much ritualistic and symbolic significance. Mehndi designs are often handed down like powerful family heirlooms. Each design has a meaning, as does the act of painting the design of the skin. The wonder of mehndi, of course, does not end when the henna paste dries. The deepness of the color influences the power of the wish or prayer connected to the wearer. Mehndi reminds us of the cycles of life: It is created, and then it fades away.

There is an interesting connection between the meaning of mehndi and the women who make it and wear it. Women’s bodies are deeply connected to the cycles of the earth. The moon waxes and wanes approximately every twenty-eight days, just like the menstrual cycle of a woman. Mehndi also has a cycle: It usually wears off in two weeks, about the time between a woman’s ovulation and her period. This is very significant: Ovulation is the time when women can metaphorically give birth to creation. (At this time an egg is available to be fertilized. When a woman’s period arrives, it washes away the unused egg, and the cycle begins anew. Maybe this is why women understand henna so well and continue to use it and teach it to their daughters, sisters, and nieces.

It many societies, including our own, the talents o women were shadowed and suppressed. It was only recently that women began to work outside of the home. Women continue to fight for their rights all over the world. Mehndi has always been a retreat for women, a space where they could safely bond with one another and share secrets. Now that mehndi is super popular, the secrets of the art are being shared with men. It is a different world now, and women have been allowed to share in some of men’s secrets as well. So boys and men can practice and wear mehndi. In spirit, however, henna painting will always be a woman’s art.

What about you? Just because you are not a devotee of Hinduism or animism does not mean you cannot deeply appreciate the art of mehndi. As we approach the end of the century, the ritual is expanding to fit new ideas. More and more, kids unafraid to look different and experiment with new ways of thinking. Think about the subcultures that might already exist in your school. There might be ravers, Deadheads, hippies, punks, cheerleaders, jocks, skaters, and other groups. Most people who are members of a subculture have a particular way of adorning themselves. Punks might wear leather jackets with spikes and T-shirts with their favorite band’s name on them. Deadheads and hippies often wear tie-dyed T-shirts and India print dresses. Ravers might adorn themselves with really baggy jeans and other androgynous attire might dye their hair in bright colors. What do you think the members of these groups are trying to express with their adornment? How do you express yourself with style?

No matter how you were raised, as a Catholic, Muslim, Jew Buddhist, or anything else, it is healthy to learn about and experiment with the rituals embraced by other cultures, as long as you are careful not to exploit them. Some Hindus, in fact, were very disturbed when Madonna performed in traditional Hindi garb complete with bindis and ritual robes at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards. She chanted in Hindi as well. As you experiment with mehndi, keep in mind that it is an art with a rich history and deep significant for the people of the East. It is important to learn the history and traditions behind these arts as you make them your own. Every art form evolves. Now that henna painting is taking off in America, these people creating new designs are part of the evolution of this art form.

Mehndi is a spiritual practice. In the West, most people do not think of getting tattoos or putting on jewelry as a way to get closer to God. We put on makeup and wear certain colors because we want to be attractive and fit in with the people around us. In India and other areas where mehndi is practiced, adornment is as important as prayer. In fact, it is a form of prayer. Special symbols are painted on the body to invoke certain gods and goddesses. There are symbols of protection and symbols of good fortune. Sometimes women will have a henna party if they want to influence future events. In Morocco, a religion called animism is a large part of the culture. Devotees of animism believe that many objects contain baraka, or mystical power. The henna plant was thought to be the prophet Mohammed’s favorite flower, so it is believed to have a high degree of baraka. Therefore, some Moroccan women still use mehndi as a magical tool.
Mehndi is also linked to superstition. The deepness of the stain left on the skin of a bride is thought to indicate the strength of the bond between husband and wife. Hindus believe that the goddess Lakshmi exists in henna designs. Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity.

Despite the relative ease of covering up an old tattoo, many people want them completely removed. Spectrum Consulting estimates that in 1996, 275,000 Americans had their tattoos removed by a medical procedure. One of the less invasive medical procedures available is acid skin peels.

Acid skin peels burn off layers of skin with chemicals, eventually fading the tattoo. This method does not require a visit to a doctor. A tattooed person can purchase an acid peel directly from a company and apply it at home. The major disadvantage of acid skin peels is that their effectiveness is uncertain.

Excision is another tattoo removal option. This process is technically involved and requires surgery. First the tattooed area is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then the tattoo is removed with a scalpel. Next, the skin edges are brought together and sutured. Using this procedure, smaller tattoos can be completely removed in one session. Larger tattoos however, often require more than one surgery. A skin graft might also be needed from another part of the body to close up the incision. This surgical technique always leaves a line of scar that be potentially spread.

Dermabrasion is another surgical removal method. The dermabrasion process involves freezing the tattooed area with a surface refrigerant. The tattoo is then sanded off with a rotating instrument. The top layers of skin are scraped away to remove the pigmented skin and encourage the growth of a new layer of skin. This process can typically be completed in one treatment session. However, this technique does not work as well on amateur tattoos as it does on professional tattoos. This is because most amateur tattoos are applied at varying depths, so the surgeon who administers the dermabrasion treatment might not be able to removal all of pigment deposits. Scarring and pigment abnormalities are common side effects of this process.

When a person wants to remove unwanted body art, his or her options depend on whether the art is a piercing or tattoo. There is only one method to remove a piercing. A person can remove the jewerly and typically the hole will close. However, bad scarring can result from the piercings. To get rid of these scars, a person may require plastic surgery.

There are several options to choose from if a person decides to get rid of an unwanted tattoo. However, most of these methods are time consuming, expensive, and painful. To avoid the expense and pain, some people decide to cover up their old tattoos with new ones.

Although a cover-up has advantages over removing unwanted tattoos, it can be technically involved. One method is to first cover the old tattoos with a flesh-colored pigment. This does not completely cover the tattoo because flesh colors do not blend completely with human skin. However, this method gives the tattoo artist a cleaner slate to work with before inking a new tattoo over the old one.

Another method is to ink right over the old tattoo with a new tattoo. The more complex a tattoo is, the more difficult this method is. According to author Jean-Chris Miller, “A good tattooist maps out the colors and lines of your existing tattoo and then designs a new piece that corresponds to the old one. For example, if your old tattoo had brown on top and yellow at the bottom, the new one while being completely different design will also have to be dark on top and a darker color on the bottom. The reason is that you can’t cover dark pigment with a lighter pigment.” Tribal design tattoos are often used to cover up old tattoos. Tribal tattoos are typically done in black ink and abstract so they can be shaped to cover up most tattoos.

Many people who get rid of unwanted tattoos or piercings are still interested in sporting body art. There are several alternatives to permanent body art that these people, and those who are unsure if they want to get pierced or tattooed, are turning to. These alternatives include temporary tattoos, fake piercings, and mehndi.

Temporary tattoos initially were famous for being a kid’s prize found in a Cracker Jack Box. Today they are no longer just for children. Many adults use temporary tattoos to decorate their body for short time periods. Temporary tattoos come in many different designs, some created by tattoo artists. The best quality temporary tattoos are made on special paper, such as rice paper; are water proof; and last as long as two weeks.

A new type of temporary tattoo gaining popularity is a hair tattoo. A person can have a symbol, such as a star or dolphin, shaped into his or her hair. The process involves choosing a specially molded design block, which comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and placing the block not a hairstyling hot plate. The hot plate is then placed and kept in the hair for at least fifteen minutes for the desired result. Typically the hair tattoo lasts only until the next time the person washes his or her hair, but special gels can help it last longer.

Like temporary and hair tattoos, fake piercings are a way to try body art without pain or permanency. From stick-on nose studs to magnetic earrings, jewelry that simulates piercings are available at a variety of stores. These items are gaining popularity among celebrities. For example, ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham donned a clip-on lip ring rather than pierce her lip.

Mehndi, an Indian tradition of decorating a woman’s hands and feet with henna dye, is also becoming a popular alternative to permanent tattoos. The patterns are intricate and can take hours to paint. The henna dye lasts from then days to six weeks, depending on the person’s skin. Mehndi shops are opening up across the United States of America.

Mehndi, fake piercings and temporary tattoos are becoming common fashion accessories. Their popularity is likely to increase as more people become interested in decorating their bodies but do not want to suffer the potential consequences of permanent tattoos and piercings.

No matter what form of body art, whether temporary of permanent, becomes most popular, many believe that it will continue to be a part of our culture.

Because laser treatment causes few side effects, it has become the most common tattoo removal method. During laser treatment, pulses of laser light pass through the outer skin layer and break up the pigment of the tattoo. The body then flushes out the pigment-filled cells.

One advantage of laser removal is that the risk of scarring is very low. Typically, only 1 to 2 percent of those receiving laser treatment get scars. Also, a person’s skin returns to its natural pigment in a few months. Another advantage is that laser treatments are effective at removing any size tattoo. Actress Angelina Jolie used laser method to erase the name of her ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton.

A disadvantage to laser treatments is that the larger the tattoo is, the more treatments required. Depending on the tattoo’s size, a person may require from two to eight sessions, each spaced four to six weeks apart. The sessions are spaced apart so that the body has time to absorb the pigment residue. The treatment typically cost $250 to $850 per session. Removing a large, professional color tattoo could cost thousands of dollars, five times the orginal cost of the tattoo. Plus, the more treatments a person has, the more damage is done to the skin. Laser treatments can cause painful blisters and scabs. Also, laser treatment does not guarantee that the entire tattoo will be removed. Certain inks are more difficult to remove depending on what type of laser is used. A Ruby laser, for example, has difficulty treating red.

The San Mateo tattoo removal program, which is funded and organized by the San Mateo, California, Juvenile Hall, gave Sanchez a chance to get rid of the last remnant of his old life. To qualify for free tattoo removal, ex-gang members must first complete twenty hours of community service. Then they go through the long process of having their tattoos removed. In 2001 Sanchez began this process.

Sanchez started to get laser treat treatments to have his tattoo removed and, after two years, completed his treatments in 2003. Although the process was long and painful, he was happy to get rid of the tattoo. “I feel much better now because I don’t feel like I’m stereotyped when I go places anymore,” Sanchez stated. “Everything it symbolizes is not in my life anymore.”

Gang tattoo removal programs like San Mateo’s are becoming more common nationwide. Police departments run many programs. For example, in August 2004 the police department in Wichita, Kansas created Operation Fresh Start. Former gang members can have their tattoos removed in exchange for an allotment of community service and $25 to pay for the anesthetic used during the removal process. The police officers believe the service helps the community as well as former gang members because it reduces the chances that they will return to their old lifestyle.

In addition to police departments, nonprofit groups have started gang tattoo removal programs. Agape Light provides services for troubled and low-income persons, including tattoo removal, anti gang counseling, family counseling, and spiritual direction. It offers tattoo removal to people coming out of prison who want to remove their tattoos and reenter mainstream society. Currently the organization exists in Southern California, but there are plans to expand it nationwide.

Former gang members are often among those who feel that their tattoos no longer represent their current lifestyle. Their tattoos remind them of their past, often violent, life. Moreover, gang tattoos can negatively affect a former member’s chances of getting a job and how other people perceive him or her.

Emerson Javier Sanchez experienced these effects. Sanchez joined a gang at age thirteen and became involved in violent activities and drugs. When Sanchez was sixteen, he decided to get his gang nickname tattooed onto his neck. At age twenty-five, however, Sanchez, was no longer in a gang and was living completely different life than that of his teenage years. He was attending college with the goal of either studying abnormal psychology or becoming a writer.

After having changes his life, Sanchez longed to get rid of the tattoo and everything it symbolized. However, tattoo removal is an expensive process and for years Sanchez could not afford it.