Mehndi, also known as henna has been around for centuries and it is a tradition in many cultures, to use it as a form of decoration for hands, feet and even the body. With its gorgeous elaborate patterns, deep red-brown hue, and organic ingredients, people like to use it for body art. But sometimes you need the design to be gone more quickly. Maybe it’s too dark, too big of a design to go with your outfit now, or maybe you just don’t want it; whatever the reason that you have for wanting your web ink to disappear you may be looking for a few ways to speed up the fading process.

So, what’s the trick to fading mehndi (henna) colour fast? Here are a few effective and natural remedies for lightening that stain, without damaging your skin.

Understanding the Henna Staining Process

Before we get into the how-to of fading mehndi, it is important to go over the way henna functions. When you put henna on your skin, it dyes the topmost layer of the epidermis. The color appears light at first, but may darken over the next 24-48 hours. The ultimate color of the beer is dependent on a number of things:

• The type of henna used
• There are various parts of the body where it’s applied
• Your skin type
• How long does henna last on skin?

Henna generally has a lifetime of 1 to 3 weeks. It's only a matter of time before the color will fade as your skin turns over and renews itself. That said, if you want the stain to go away ASAP, there are a few things you can do to expedite the process.

Exfoliate the Skin

Exfoliation is one of the most simple and natural methods to help remove mehndi. Exfoliating ps your skin so that the layer with the henna stain can be removed by shedding dead skin.

• Exfoliate: Lightly scrub the area with an exfoliating body scrub or a paste made from sugar and olive oil. For added exfoliation, you can also rub with a loofah or exfoliating gloves.
• How it works: Exfoliation sloughs off dead skin cells, which house the henna stain, helping to fade the design more quickly.

Exfoliate gently as aggressive scrubbing can damage the skin. Don’t forget to add a second layer of a moisturizer to ensure the skin remains moisturized and not drying up.

Soak in Warm Water

Soaking is a way of loosening the henna by wetting the skin, making the skin soft and getting the henna dissolving away. This works especially well if you’ve just put a new one on and you’re eager for it to fade.

• How to do it: Dip a washcloth or a towel in warm water, and press it onto the mehndi design for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also soak your affected body part directly in warm water from a tub.
• How it works: The water warms the skin and helps to dissolve the henna stain. Pair this with a light scrub and the draw will be gone in no time.

Be sure to avoid hot water as it may irritate your skin and help the design set in even deeper.

Apply Lemon and Sugar Mixture

Lemon juice and sugar is the traditional method for fading mehndi stains. Lemon is a natural bleaching agent with the citric acid present and can work to break down the stain, while sugar is also an exfoliator and can help to slough off any dead skin cells.

• Directions for use: Mix sugar with fresh lemon juice and apply it onto the mehndi design. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently scrub in a circular motion.
• Why it works: The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a natural remover, and the sugar scrubs away dead cells. This is a bit of a tedious process, but the combo of honey and lemon can lighten the stain over a period of time.

Some people may also experience irritation because of the lemon juice, so keep it in mind if you have sensitive skin. Patch-test it first, of course, before slathering it on a wider patch of skin.

Scrub With Baking Soda and Water Past

The third remedy is Baking Soda, which I believe is one of the best remedy to remove mehndi stain fast. It’s a light exfoliant, being slightly abrasive, and its alkaline nature can help to clean the stain.

• How to use: Mix baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste. Rub it on the mehndi design, keep it for 5-10 minutes, and then rub simly.
• How it works: Baking soda can help slough off dead skin cells and remove the top layer of skin that’s stained with henna. It works quicker when combined with exfoliation, too.

On the downside, since baking soda may be drying on the skin, it can leave skin feeling a bit tight.

Olive Oil or Coconut Oil to the rescue Apply Some Oil and Massage Your Scalp

Oils like olive oil and coconut oil may help reduce mehndi stains and also provide a moisturizing effect to your skin. The fats help to degrade the henna dye and to encourage it to fade.

• How to apply: Apply a little olive oil or coconut oil over the henna stain and massage. Keep it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe off softly with a cloth.
• How it works: Both oils have fatty acids that can penetrate the skin and grip the henna stains. That rubbing can also remove a top layer of the skin and break up the stain.

This is perfect if you are looking for a kinder, more nourishing way to fade the stain without resorting to heavy duty chemicals.

Use Toothpaste

Toothpaste It is also a popular home remedy for faded henna stains. It does have mild abrasives and bleaching agents, so it may help lighten the stain.

• How to use: Apply some toothpaste to the mehndi design and leave for 10 - 15 minutes. You can then gently scrub it with a mild cloth or a toothbrush.
• How it works: The grittiness of toothpaste can help scrub away the skin, and the chemicals that give toothpaste its color can lighten the stain.

Make sure that you use a basically natural toothpaste with minimal active whitening elements, and it’s also important that you scrub it all over your skin.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rub alcohol is a strong way to help remove henna fast. It has antiseptic properties that help to break down the pigment in the henna, aiding in the fading process.

• How to use: Soak a cotton pad in rubbing alcohol and lightly rub the stain away with it. You can also brush it on a design and let it sit for a minute or two before wiping it off.
• How it works: The rubbing alcohol serves to break down the pigment in the henna, so the stain is removed more quickly.

Be careful with this method, since washing your hands may dry out your skin. Remember to moisturize after to keep your skin hydrated.

Wait It Out

And sometimes, the most basic thing you can do to fade a mehndi tattoo is to let your skin catch its breath. With the skin being constantly renewed, the tattoo disappears naturally as the body sheds the outer layer of the skin. This usually happens in 1 to 2 weeks.

• How to do it: Allow the stain to gradually diminish on its own, while continuing to moisturize the area to keep skin healthy.
• How it works: Your skin is consistently renewing, and as new skin cells develop, the henna mark will completely flake off.

This is the most time-consuming method, but it’s gentle to your skin.

Which Technique Is Best for You?

All of the above methods work well when you want to get rid of mehndi stains instantly but one may work better for your skin or one may fit your preference choice better than the other method! As an example, if you have sensitive skin, olive or coconut oil may be the least aggressive oil. To speed things along a little, exfoliating (with things like lemon-sugar mixtures or baking soda, for example) can help the fading process.

Final Thoughts

Fading mehndi is not that difficult or very time-consuming. With some natural treatments at hand, you can pull the process of diminishing your tattoo faster in a mild way, making your skin stay healthy and soft. From oils to scrubs to natural lightening agents such as lemon juice, there’s something for everyone.

If you are interested in high quality, skin friendly products to use for your skincare routine, Cheryls has one of the best available. Their products are made with gentle, skin-nourishing ingredients that fade stains while keeping skin glowing and hydrated. From a mild exfoliator to soothing oil we have everything to obtain skin that is smooth and free of henna!