If you’re tired of rocking your nikah mendhi or you’re looking for a way to get rid of the henna stains on your nails ASAP, we’ve got some solutions.
We’ve done every deep dive into the world of henna—from its cultural significance to the best artists in town—but there’s one thing we haven’t yet broached. Getting a beautiful design tattooed onto yourself for your big day or for Eid festivities is fun in many ways… until, of course, you want it gone.
Whether it’s because your design is on its last (stubborn) legs, you have a special event coming up, or you simply want a clean canvas for your next nail art experiment, we’ve got you covered.
Ahead, we’ve got four effective tips to help you fade out henna from your skin and nails in no time—and none of them involve overly-drying rubbing alcohol or skin-destroying bleach:
TIP #1: Exfoliate regularly
One of the simplest ways to speed up the fading process is to exfoliate your nails regularly. Gently scrubbing at the henna design with a soft brush or using an exfoliating scrub will help remove the top layer of dead skin cells, taking some of the henna pigment along with it.
Of course, this isn’t an overnight process, but it will speed up the fading process considerably! Plus, if physical scrubs aren’t doing enough, you can opt for some chemical exfoliants instead.
Here are our personal recommendations for physical and chemical body exfoliants:
Tip #2: Work in the oils
Fun fact: Oils of any kind, from baby oil to jojoba, can help to dissolve the henna pigments on your skin and thus remove the tattoo. Simply apply a generous amount to the area of interest, massage the oil into the design and rise with a gentle soap to remove any oily residues.
While it won’t be an instantaneous fix, it will help to lighten your design over time. Plus, the oils are a nourishing treat for your hands and nails!
Tip #3: Buff out your nails
You may find that while your henna tattoo has faded from your hands, the staining is especially stubborn around your nails. Don’t fret—regular mani-pedis should help the fading process along. We’d recommend getting your nails buffed once monthly to help shed the stain quicker.
Just be careful not to go overboard—buffing your nails too frequently can cause brittleness, breakage and permanent damage to your nail. Henna may be strengthening, but it can’t work miracles!
Tip #4: Use some micellar water
You’ve probably used micellar water to remove waterproof mascara and a full face of foundation, but did you know that it can also help to fade henna? The micelles (read: the surfactant molecules that are both oil- and water-soluble) can work to lift and break down the henna pigments in your skin, thus helping fade out the tattoo.
Simply swipe a saturated cotton pad over your tattoo a few times a day until it’s gone!
PS: Micellar water is not to be confused with cleansing water—don’t get them confused! Shop our favourites here.
Getting rid of a henna tattoo isn’t an overnight process, but a little patience with any one of these tried-and-tested tips (or, if you prefer, all of them at once) can make a huge difference. Good luck!
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