7 Surefire Techniques On How To Remove Mehndi

By Aadithyan Mohan KAadithyan Mohan K, 10  • 

With its intricate, at times almost sinuous lines of iconography and fine design, it is no surprise that mehndi has taken the collective popular imagination of the world by storm. Applied to the skin in the form of a henna paste, which soaks through the top layers of the epidermis, mehndi binds firmly to the keratin in the skin. When dried, the effect is that of a deep, rich burnished red that stands out vividly on almost any skin complexion instantly. Ever wondered how to remove mehndi? We all know that mehndi takes time to fade away. But what if you find yourself in a situation where you need to get it off? What then?

When applied properly, we are left with some stunning mehndi designs that look amazingly sensual; but what most people don’t know is that it tends to last up to almost 2 weeks or more. As time wears on, the rich dark colour begins to fade, and the whole thing will begin to appear very washed out. Even if you do nothing, in time the marks will completely fade; and there are a number of helpful products to help. But if you would like to remove it quickly, scroll down to learn more methods on how to remove mehndi from your hands and skin entirely.

1. Bleaching

Bleaching is a super effective method of dealing with unwanted henna. Apply a regular natural bleach to the mehndi design and it will greatly aid you in its removal.

2. Baking Soda

Using baking soda and lime juice, make a thick paste and spread it over the henna-covered area. After leaving it on for 10 minutes, wait for it to dry completely, then exfoliate your hands using a soft loofah. Make sure to employ a circular rubbing motion while exfoliating. Rinse and repeat if necessary. This simple home remedy on how to remove mehndi can save you a lot of money.

3. Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice is also surprisingly effective in the removal of mehndi stains. Similarly, toothpaste can also aid greatly. Apply any of these substances over the mehndi and gently rub it in.

4. Salt Water

Soak your hands and feet in salt water for a period of approximately 20 minutes. Salt acts as a natural enemy to the molecules that make up the henna particles lodged in your skin. The ink will diffuse in this salt-laced water, and will gradually fade with regular usage. Even time spent under the sun will work as well, though of course then you have to be wearing your SPF 100. You wouldn’t risk exposure to harmful UV rays right?

5. Olive Oil

The application of olive oil, albeit expensive, is another tried and tested method of removing mehndi. An excellent emulsifier, it is the simplest and gentlest way to go about the matter.

6. Dead Skin Remover

Use dead skin remover to get rid of the henna faster, though of course it is always advisable to do an allergy test before the application of the remover. This will not remove the henna stain in its entirety, but will reduce the hue to a great extent. Periodic application of dead skin remover, if you’re not allergic, will also do the trick for sure.

7. Sweat It Out

These stubborn stains meet their match with sweat and perspiration. Exercise, especially aerobic exercise, will cause you to start losing your henna markings in a snap. Go for a jog, ride a bike, jump in between the sheets with somebody; there are tonnes of ways to go about doing this in a fun manner.

Another non-toxic and benign solution is the application of hydrogen peroxide that can be swabbed on with cotton. This is available in most drugstores but sadly does not work for all skin types. We would advise you to dab it onto a test patch to confirm its efficacy for your skin type.

Images Source: Google, Pinterest, Shutterstock

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