Lalle or laali also known as Henna or mehndi is traditionally used for special occasions. Its beauty lies in its intricacy, it is used to beautify the hausa or fulani bride on her wedding day. It takes patience and very steady hands to apply the henna tattoos correctly. The dye mixture is used to design the brides’ hands, palms and legs. Before the advent of technology, the henna paste was applied to the skin with a matchstick for precision. These days, henna can be purchased in the form of a cone and a small opening can be made at the point of the cone so that intricate designs can be created on the desired part of the body. However, removing lalle or henna can be a challenge especially after the occasion for which it was created has passed. The good news is that there are simple ways you can remove lalle from your skin these includes:
Soaking In Salt water
You may want to start the lalle tattoo process by soaking your body in water with an exfoliating agent, like sea salt. Epsom salt, or even table salt, works too. Pour about half a cup of salt into the warm water of a half-full bathtub and soak for twenty minutes. The sodium chloride in salt can help nourish your living skin cells and get rid of dead ones.
Exfoliating scrub
Scrubbing is only useful prior to developing lalle allergy. Scrubbing your skin with an exfoliating face or body wash may help remove lalle quickly. Using one that contains a natural exfoliating agent, like apricot or brown sugar, minimizes the irritation to your skin.
Olive oil and salt
Mixing one cup of olive oil with three or four tablespoons of sea salt. Use a cotton swab to fully coat your skin and let the olive oil soak in before gently rubbing off the salt with a wet washcloth this will loosen the lalle tattoo dye from your skin while exfoliating the fading tattoo.
Antibacterial soap
The high alcohol content and exfoliating scrubbing beads in antibacterial soap can help get rid of lalle dye. Apply a moisturizing cream to your body after using antibacterial soap to get rid of lalle. Scrub your hands a few times a day with your favorite antibacterial soap, but be careful about drying out your skin
Baking soda and lemon juice
Lemon juice is a proven Trusted Source skin lightening agent. Use half a cup of warm water, a full tablespoon of baking soda, and two teaspoons of lemon juice. Apply this mixture with a cotton swab and let it soak into your skin before removing it. Keep repeating until the lalle can’t be seen. Baking soda and lemon juice can work together to lighten the lalle dye and make it disappear faster. However, never apply baking soda and lemon juice to your face.
Makeup remover
Any silicone-based makeup remover can work as a gentle way to get rid of henna dye. Use a cotton swab or Q-tip to fully saturate your henna tattoo and then remove the makeup remover with a dry cloth. You may need to repeat this a couple of times.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can lighten the appearance of your skin, but this method may take several applications to remove lalle. Use diluted hydrogen peroxide meant for cosmetic use, and apply it generously to the area of your henna tattoo.
Whitening toothpaste
Put the whitening ingredients of your toothpaste to good use by applying a generous amount to your lalle tattoo and rubbing it in. Let the toothpaste dry before using an old toothbrush to gently scrub the toothpaste off.
Hair conditioner
A hair conditioner product meant to moisturize your hair can also remove henna. Apply the conditioner to the tattoo and make sure your skin has time to absorb it fully. Rinse off with warm water.
Coconut oil and raw sugar
A mixture of room-temperature (melted) coconut oil and raw cane sugar makes a powerful exfoliation agent. Rub the coconut oil on your henna tattoo and let your skin absorb it before layering the raw sugar on top. Rub the sugar over your tattoo before applying pressure with a loofah or washcloth to remove the oil and sugar from your skin. ALSO SEE : How To Treat Lalle Allergy
