The tattoo procedure involves puncturing the skin and reaching out to the deep skin layer for permanently inking the tattoo design there. Needles are used in the process. Therefore, it is understandable that the procedure can be painful.
However, the pain cannot be the same in every procedure. Henna tattoo is completely different than conventional tattoo designs. It is because many factors are involved which determines that how painful the henna tattoo procedure could be for someone.
What is Henna?
Henna design is made through a paste of henna plant leaves which is mixed with acidic lemon juice. The leaves alone don’t stain or get imprinted on your skin. Therefore, the acidic lemon juice ingredient is the one that releases a dye-like substance known as lawsone. This does the job of making it feel like a tattoo on the skin. These molecules of lawsone result in rigid bonds which are backed with protein-like molecules. They penetrate the skin quite well. So, if you apply some lawsone anywhere on your skin which comes with a good share of protein then the lawsone would penetrate deep in the skin and stick to the proteins.
Does henna tattoo operate on the outer layer only of the skin?
If you apply the paste of henna along with the lawsone and then leave it there for a while, you will see it stained through the upper layer of your skin. Traditionally, the need is to apply it for a few hours and then wash it. However, a deep analysis of such henna tattoo application reveals that it goes far beyond the upper skin only having dead skin cells. It is a dye that does a great job of going deep into the living skin.
The difference between Henna tattoo design and conventional tattoo design
Visually, the henna tattoo would look like a special tattoo design. But, it is quite different from the conventional ink tattoos which are made. The henna tattoo is identifiable with its color. It is usually dark-drown and appears to be orange in color when it gets dry. As this is a natural color so there are no more options there in terms of colors.
This henna is applied by a henna artist typically by having the henna in a wrap with an open pointed tip. It just brings out the henna from that container so that the desirable designs could be made. It is all upon the creativity of the tattoo or henna artist that what designs could be applied. This henna tattoo or design is typically used in South Asian cultures and it is specifically used by women, with very little applicability among men.
Now compare the above procedure with the conventional tattoo design. In regular tattoo procedures, the tattoo artist makes use of needles, dyes, ink, etc. where the outer skin is punctured to get access to the deep layer of skin. This is where the regular tattoo is imprinted. The regular tattoo designs applied in the inner layer are permanent and they do not get removed or fade as such. You need to make use of tattoo removal creams or laser machines if you want that tattoo to be removed for any reason.
On the flip side, a henna tattoo is not a permanent one. Depending upon the quality of henna or lawsone, it will start to fade away in a few days and you will find it completely gone in a week or two.
Comparatively, henna tattoo is a much simpler process as compared with the regular tattoo designs which are permanently inked into the deep skin layer.
So, does a henna tattoo hurt?
Not. As discussed above, it is very much a simple procedure that doesn’t include any needles used to puncture your skin. It is only externally applied. You might only feel slightly tickling when this is applied. Comparatively, the process is much quicker in every way when you evaluate it with the regular tattoo designs. It is a non-invasive procedure and this could be tried by people of all ages, including babies as there is no such thing as pain for this one.
Moreover, it remains the same wherever you apply it to your body from head to toe. It wouldn’t show any sign of pain or even any notable discomfort even on sensitive areas of your body.
Another thing that makes it an easy and special process is that there is no aftercare required at all. On top of that, the tattoo artist wouldn’t ask you to come prepared for it in any way. You will not be asked for any specific dietary restrictions with this one either. Most of the basic designs are made within a few minutes and you will be back to your routine life the moment you walk out of the studio.
In comparison with the other procedures, there are no chances of any infection to be developed either. If you want the design to last longer then there could be certain tips given to you by the artist. However, there could be some people who could be allergic to henna as its fragrance is quite strong. If you are good over there then there is nothing at all to worry about getting a henna design anywhere on your body.
Video Credit: Paradis du Hénné
Conclusion
A lot of people indeed avoid tattoo designs just because of the fear of pain. They are not wrong to think like that as the conventional tattoo procedure is invasive and the needles penetrating your skin could be painful. But, those people are wrong to think the same about the henna tattoo designs.
This one is different from the traditional tattoo procedures. In a henna tattoo, there is no need for needles as the design is applied externally that doesn’t cause any damage to your skin.
Therefore, it is obvious that the henna tattoo enthusiasts would not feel any sort of pain in this case. This is true even if the design is applied to the most sensitive and fleshy area of their body.
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