FROM Indian celebrations to western festivals, henna is used by people across the world for body decoration.

Henna is a fragrant flowering shrub that is used to create perfume. When the leaves are dried, it can be turned into a fine powder which is used for dying everything from clothes, hair and temporarily dying the skin.

Henna tattoos are said to date back to Ancient Egypt when it was used to adorn the body and Egyptians used it to paint the nails of mummies before they were buried.

Applying henna tattoos is known as Mehndi and it is most commonly used for celebrations.

Pritti Davies, from Cwmbran, says henna has always been a part of her Indian culture and she has practised designs throughout her life.

She now does henna tattoos from her home and her work is in high demand at fetes and events.

“I have always done henna and I have always had henna put on me,” she said. “It’s always been part of my culture. I always have it on me and people comment a lot.

“Henna is for celebrations in the Indian culture, like Diwali, so it’s something that’s always been used. It’s very different doing it on myself. If I am doing a very big piece I always practice on myself.

“It’s nice for me to apply the henna because something I enjoy doing and that is quite therapeutic. The price of a piece depends on where I am doing it and the size of it.

“When we go to a fete we are always fully booked and people will sometimes wait two hours to get a small piece.”

Mrs Davies is a business teacher at Croesyceiliog School, where she has worked for 14 years. She does henna in the evenings, at the weekend and this is the first summer she has been doing henna.

“I do like doing flowers and I think a lot of henna artists have their own techniques,” she explains. “There are lots of types of henna art you can draw on, like I do a lot of Arabic flowers. I do a lot of research online and on social media and there are a lot of new and up and coming designs.”

Henna has had some bad press in recent weeks due to bad reactions people have had to henna they have had abroad. The henna used in these temporary tattoos is black henna or neutral henna which isn’t the type that reputable practitioners use.

The black paste used in these temporary tattoos can contain high levels of a chemical dye called paraphenylenediamine which is toxic. It is also used in controlled amounts in hair dye.

Some people who have had these tattoos have experienced painful blisters that have had to be treated at a hospital burns unit.

Real henna, which is generally safe to use, is an orange colour with a red or brown tint to it.

“My henna is 100 per cent natural and is mixed with lemon juice and mineral water,” Mrs Davies said. “Then sugar is added to make it smooth. You add an essential oil to bring out the colour and I use lavender because it’s suitable for children and it smells lovely.

“Black henna is done at a lot of festivals and at seaside resorts, so I try to encourage people to get it done before they go away.

“Henna does take 48 hours for the stain to come on the skin, so they will have it while they are there. I also do things like hen parties and I do glitter and white henna.”

Popularity has increased due to celebrities using henna. Madonna, Katy Perry and Beyoncé have all shown off their henna on social media and henna bars have opened in high end stores such as Selfridges.

Mrs Davies said: “I think tattoos in general are really popular at the moment and this way people can have one without having something permanent. I do a lot of work on arms and on feet and also ankles as people don’t always want something permanent there.”

Kellie Jones, from Newport, also offers henna tattoos through Henna by Kellie. She first got interested in henna when she moved to London for University.

“I decided to try it out after seeing photographs online,” she said. “I wanted to see it in action by a professional, so I hired one for my birthday. I fell in love with the intricate designs and the immense detail that goes into one design. From there, I practice every day on myself friends and family.”

Miss Jones has just graduated in contemporary and ballet dance at London Contemporary Dance School and fits her henna work around her busy schedule.

“Henna started as a hobby, but is slowly growing into a small business,” she explained. “It is currently my main income. It’s great because it allows me to have quite a loose schedule as I regularly commute to London for dance.

“It’s very therapeutic for me and so relaxing to do. It’s also addictive. I can sit for hours practicing and never get bored. There’s always something new to learn.”

For more information on Designs on You visit facebook.com/hennabychandraandivy or email designsonyouhenna@gmail.com. For more information about Henna by Kellie visit facebook.com/kelliejoneshenna or email kellie.jones@lcds.ac.uk