10 Simple ways to Remove Henna from Skin - DIY Homemade Tricks

Henna Tattoo can be a fun part. One should definitely consider this on special events, because why not! They all look so awesome.

Driven from the leaves of the henna plant, a henna dye lasts anywhere from 1-2 weeks on your skin. After this, it will leave patches on your body.

No matter how beautiful your henna design looks, once it fades away, you will definitely not like the sight of brown patches on your skin.

So, is there any method to get rid of henna design patches in a week or so? Or perhaps the very next day of the tattoo art? In this post, we have shared simple yet effective methods to help you remove henna from the skin.

White vs Brown Henna Removal

There are 2 types of henna design tattoos you can find in the market; Brown vs white henna. We’re sure by this point, you have one of these on your skin, still, we’ll cover the basics.

Brown henna is what you get from mixing pure henna powder. Brown henna has a brownish pigment that leaves a mark on your body when applied. It is the same thing you can find in different henna tattoo cones.

White henna on the other side isn’t actual henna, it is just a marketed term that looks and feels like henna. Contrary to the name, it is just a white body paint, made of different cosmetic ingredients.

Depending on the product you use, some companies add glitters to add shine to the tattoo design. Sure, they look great, but they aren’t as natural as brown henna.

How to remove White Henna from your skin?

Because white henna is body paint, it will automatically fade away in a day or 2. In fact, you can get rid of this on the same day. Just go to the washroom, apply regular body soap, exfoliate your skin, and voila! They are gone.

It is brown henna that leaves a semi-permanent stain on your body. But fear not, we have plenty of methods for this as well.

Quick and Easy ways to Remove Henna from Skin

1. Use Soap and Warm water

Soap is the first line of defense that can help you get rid of those patchy henna designs. Wiping your hand or body part where you have applied henna with soap and warm water will eventually help you get rid of the pigment.

• Apply a little soap on your hand and gently exfoliate on the affected area
• Scrub it with your hands or use a sponge
• Rinse it with warm water
• Do this for 2-3 times a day and the design will fade away

Note: Apply a moisturizing lotion to help with skin dryness.

2. Lemon Juice

Lemon contains natural stain-removing properties that can help you remove a henna tattoo from your skin. To use the lemon juice, follow the steps provided below:

• Cut a lemon in half
• Rub the lemon in the affected area gently
• Keep rubbing the area for 2-3 minutes
• Rinse the lemon juice with warm water
• Pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer to help your skin from dryness

Note: People with sensitive skin should be aware of this because the acidic properties of lemon juice can irritate your skin.

3. Salt Water

Salt is known to reduce impurities from your body naturally, so why not use it for henna tattoo removal.

Here's what you have to do:

• Take a bowl of water
• Add 2-3 tablespoon of salt in the solution
• Stir it to mix the salt particles
• Dip your hands in the solution for about 5-10 minutes
• Pat your hands dry

Read More: How to get rid of dry, dead skin on feet

Note: Although it is recommended to soap your hands into the solution twice daily, but a long period of soaking can make your skin dry. Don't forget to use body lotion after this.

4. Exfoliating Scrub

An exfoliating product is designed to get rid of the dead cells from your body. Henna only dyes the top layer of your skin, meaning that an exfoliating product is perfect to help remove the henna design. Our favorite body scrubs are Arabica coffee scrub and lavender shortbread cookie scrub. Here’s how you can exfoliate with body scrub;

• Cleanse your body with water
• Use exfoliating scrub and gently rub the mixture on the affected area for 5-10 minutes
• Rinse the scrub with Luke warm water

Also Read: How to use Body Scrub - Benefits and Step-by-Step Guide

Note: With our body scrub, you won't have to use any moisturization as it contains natural essential oils offering anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Baking Soda

Baking soda is yet another great product to get rid of tattoo design. You can already find it in many of the stain remover products. For maximum outcome, use lemon juice with the baking soda to make a paste.

• Squeeze lemon juice in 3-5 tablespoon of baking soda
• Stir the mixture until you get a thick paste
• Apply the paste on the tattoo area and leave it for about 10-15 minutes
• Rinse it off with warm water

Note: You can apply this paste twice daily but remember to use moisturizer for skin dryness.

6. Olive Oil

Olive oil is a miracle, not just for your body, but also for your skin as well. With just a simple vigorous massage of olive oil, you can get rid of that chunky looking Henna designs. Here's how you can best use it:

• Soak a cotton swab in olive oil
• Swipe the cotton across your hands
• You can add salt in the mixture to hasten the process
• Allow the oil to penetrate on your skin for about 10 minutes

Note: If your hands are too oily, wash them. Otherwise, let it be absorbed into your skin.

Read More: How to do Henna Freckles

7. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an excellent exfoliator as well as a moisturizer. Unlike other methods, using it to remove a henna tattoo will not even dry your skin.

• Apply a few drops of coconut oil to the tattoo
• Sprinkle some sugar above it
• Gently rub the whole mehndi area
• Use a washcloth to remove the sugar and excess oil

Note: As essential oils like coconut oil can clog pores, using them on the face may cause breakouts.

8. Natural Shaving

We all know shaving removes dead skin cells from the surface. Surprisingly, this quality also helps eliminate henna by removing the stained skin. You may use this technique on any area except your face.

• Wash and prepare your skin for the shave
• Apply a small amount of shaving butter on the area
• Gently shave using a neat razor
• Pat-dry the area and use a moisturizer  

Note: Prefer natural shaving cream alternatives or essential oils to keep your skin safe from chemicals.

9. Coffee and Sugar Scrub

Sugar and coffee are both well-known as magical exfoliators. Using them on the face or any body part can slough dead skin cells, fading henna tattoos from the surface.

• Mix equal quantities of coffee and sugar in a bowl
• Add a few drops of water to the mixture
• Apply this scrub on the affected area and rub it with your fingers
• Rinse off the paste with warm water

Note: You can also add olive oil to this mixture in place of water. This way, you won’t have a complaint of dry skin afterward.

10. Warm Water

If you don’t have anything at your home that works, simply using warm water is the way to go. Warm water is the sole warrior. Mildly heating it can fasten the fading process.

• Take water in a large bowl and mildly heat it
• Dip your hands or feet in it for 15-20 minutes
• Rub the tattoo area with your other hand or use a loofah
• Pat-dry your hands using a neat towel
• Use a moisturizing lotion or an essential oil afterward

Note: Make sure the water is not too hot to burn your skin. Use this method to remove henna only from your hands or feet.

How to get henna off clothes or furniture?

Henna staining clothes or furniture is not new. A slight mishandling can color everything around you in a second. If you are facing this accidental situation, you may follow the below steps:

• Apply detergent on the affected area
• Use a cloth or brush to scrub off the stain
• Remove the product using a wet cloth
• Repeat the steps several times until the color comes off

If the henna is wet, remove the paste first using a clean towel. You can follow the same steps afterward.

Safety Precautions

While all the methods we have mentioned above are completely safe and organic, still if you have sensitive skin, we recommend you do a patch test before you implement them.

Using henna cones on the other side mixed with chemicals can also penetrate your skin and cause a series of burns and redness. We recommend you make your own henna cones using a henna powder mixture.

Here's a quick video on how you can do this:

It is also important to never use black henna as body art. Many of the studies suggest that black henna may contribute to a skin reaction in some individuals leading to blisters, redness, and pigmentation loss.

Conclusion

Henna Tattoo is a perfect body art to have on your skin for a limited amount of time. But sometimes, for whatever reason, we want to get rid of it. For this, all the methods we have mentioned above are safe. In fact, most of the ingredients can be found in your kitchen which is a plus point. Remember, Henna tattoos aren't permanent and should be gone on their own within a week or 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are henna tattoos removable?

Unlike permanent tattoos, which contain ink pigment, henna tattoos are made from a mixture of the henna plant. It is a non-permanent body art solution that lasts anywhere from 2-3 weeks.

Will henna tattoo come off in Shower?

Because henna tattoos are semi-permanent, they will fade off in the shower. The whole design will not fade away at the same time, you will have henna patches on your body.

How many days henna tattoo last?

A henna tattoo lasts anywhere from 3-7 days maximum. If you use regular exfoliation and cleanse on the tattoo area, it will fade away fast.

Can I remove henna from the skin entirely in one day?

All our home remedies will fade the tattoo’s appearance and remove the color faster, but these take time and consistency. No method can eliminate henna entirely in just a single day.

Can I use lemon juice to remove henna from my face?

Lemon juice has acidic properties and can cause allergy or irritation. You must not apply it to your face directly. Instead, you can use essential oils or simply wash with soap and water to remove the henna stains from your face.

Are there any side effects of using salt on henna?

Pure salt comes with little to no drawbacks. Using it on the henna tattoo as a scrubbing agent is ideal and safe. Yet, it is harsh on the skin and may irritate it. We do not recommend using it on the face.