Clean Slate: Here’s How You Can Remove Residual Mehendi, QUICKLY!

Let us say it as it is – mehendi looks nice only for the first couple of days. After that, it starts to slowly fade away. That’s when things get messy. Even though we like getting henna on my hands and feet, scraping it off once the occasion is over is a headache by itself. Since most of us prefer western clothes to ethnic wear, faded mehendi looks rather odd than flattering. If you know where we’re coming from, then you’ll totally appreciate these 15 ways answers to ‘how to remove mehendi from hands quickly’. Good luck!

12 Simple Ways To Remove Mehndi Colour From Hands

Whether you have an upcoming vacation or just like your hands clean once the festivities are over, here’s our guide on how to remove mehendi from hands quickly!

How To Remove Mehendi With Baking Soda & Lemon Juice Solution

Hello? Did you know that baking soda and lime are both natural bleaching agents? Making a paste using these two ingredients will help you remove mehendi stains like a pro!

Step 1: Mix half a cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and a few drops water.

Step 2: Mix well and apply the paste on your hands.

Step 3: Leave it on for 10 minutes and continue to exfoliate your skin in circular motions.

Caution: Since baking soda can be too harsh on the skin, you might want to moisturise your hands later.

How to remove mehendi in 5 minutes with bleach!

One reason to love bleach is that it contains abrasives that help to remove mehendi stains from the hands. What kind of bleach to use, you ask? The same one that you use on your face of course!

Just follow the instructions on the packaging and first apply the mix on a patch of skin first. If it agrees with you by causing no skin reaction, then good ahead and apply them to your hands.

POPxo Recommends:  VLCC Insta Glow Herbal Bleach (Rs 80)

How To Remove Henna From Skin With Sea Salt

When it comes to natural skincare ingredients, we think sea salt deserves more credit than its due for. It contains chlorine that helps wipe off old mehendi stains. The process is simple:

Step 1: Prepare a bath for your hands by mixing two to four tablespoons of sea salt in a bowl big enough to dip your hands in

Step 2: Dip your hands in the bath for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Moisturise with lotion after drying your hands.

POPxo Recommends: Nyassa Dead Sea Salt (Rs 400)

How To Remove Mehndi From Hands With Toothpaste!

Remember how your mom would instantly apply plain, white toothpaste on any burn or cut you would get as a child? This is because it helps with faster healing. Toothpaste also does a magnificent job at removing mehendi stains. Packed with abrasives and detergents, it becomes an effective remedy in quick mehendi removal

Step 1: Apply some toothpaste on your hands.

Step 2: Use your fingers to blend and spread the paste on your hands.

Step 3: Leave it to dry and once you’re done,

Step 4: Wash them with cold water.  

Also Read mehendi design for bride

How To Remove Henna Paste With Face Exfoliator

If you’re running short of time, try scrubbing your hands using a face exfoliator. Pick a scrub with microbeads. This helps to remove the stain molecules and causes the mehendi to fade off on its own. You’ll not only remove the colour, but the dead skin cells will come off as well.

POPxo Recommends: Clean & Clear Morning Energy Face Wash Purifying Apple (Rs 130)

How To Remove Henna Tattoo From Skin With Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most gentle ways in which you can remove henna stains. It acts as an emulsifier and does not cause any side effects.

Step 1: Start by applying some olive oil to your hands.

Step 2: Massage well and add some salt to the mix.

Step 3: Leave the oil to penetrate and get absorbed into the skin.

Step 4: Wash your hands and pat dry using a towel after.

Olive Oil And Salt Work Just As Well

If you’re in some more hurry to get rid of your mehendi, then simply add some three to four tablespoons of organic sea salt to your oil and get rid of your mehendi even faster. The combination would loosen the henna particles from your skin while exfoliating it as well!

Step 1: Mix one tablespoon of sea salt in half a tablespoon of olive oil.
Step 2: Fully coat your skin with the mixture using a cotton swab.
Step 3: Allow the oil to soak into your skin before scrubbing the salt.

Have You Tried Hydrogen Peroxide Yet?

Hydrogen peroxide is available at almost every drugstore. It’s non-toxic in nature and is packed with bleaching agents. This makes it a perfect answer to the question of ‘how to remove mehndi colour from hands instantly at home.’ These properties contribute to removing nasty mehendi stains.

Step 1: Apply some hydrogen peroxide on your hand using a cotton ball.

Step 2: After 15 minutes, rinse your hands with warm water.

Step 3: Follow up with a moisturiser

Cold Cream Has Super Powers!

The more nourished and moist your skin is, the better the chance at keeping mehendi stains away.

Step 1: Dip your fingers into a cold cream container.

Step 2: Scoop the cream out and apply it all over your arms and fingers.

Step 3: After half an hour, use a cotton ball to wipe your hands.

POPxo Recommends: Pond’s Moisturizing Cold Cream (Rs 50)

Nail Polish Removers Are The Bomb

If you thought that nail polish removers were only meant for your nails, you thought wrong! They can be used to remove mehendi stains as well. Wipe your hands with nail polish remover solution and scrub till you notice positive results.

Since polish removers contain harsh chemicals, the solution could dry your skin out and damage it in the long run. If the solution is too strong, mix it with water.  

POPxo Recommends: Lakme Nail Color Remover (Rs 90)

Antibacterial Soap

Yes, you read it right! Antibacterial soap can also help you get rid of mehendi since its high alcohol content actively works against the henna particles on your hands. Simply scrub your hands with antibacterial soap about five to six times a day and your mehendi will undergo a noticeable difference! However, do take care that you do not dry your skin so make sure you moisturise your hands well!

POPxo Recommends: Biotrex Dermal Antibacterial Soap (Rs 270)

Micellar Water To The Rescue

The micellar water you so lovingly use to wipe off makeup can also help you in getting rid of henna. Not only is it super gentle on your skin, but it also makes it glow.

Step 1: Soak your hands in micellar water and allow skin to absorb it

Step 2: Rub your skin dry while applying pressure

Step 3: Follow up with moisturiser

Raw Sugar And Coconut Oil

While we all use sugar to darken the colour of mehendi, did you know you can also use it to lighten it earlier than usual? Mixing sugar with coconut oil gives you a powerful exfoliator that can be used to get rid of henna!

Step 1: Rub coconut oil on your hands and let the skin absorb it.

Step 2: Apply a thin layer of sugar on top of the oil.

Step 3: Rub this sugar over your henna while applying with a loofah.

Step 4: Wash off with lukewarm water after 10-15 minutes.

Lava Soap

Have you heard about Lava Soap? The lava soap is a heavy-duty hand cleaner that does an excellent job to remove obstinate stains, ink and paints from hands much faster and with fewer washes.

Step 1: Lather the soap on your hands.

Step 2: Keep scrubbing the hands against each other thoroughly.

Step 3: Rinse hands with warm water.

Step 4: Repeat these steps several times to see better results.

Moisturise with lotion after drying your hands.

Chlorine Treatment

Chlorine water is a bleach which might come as a saviour in this case, although longer exposure is not good but it is skin friendly enough for you to get rid of your mehendi stains.

Step 1: Make a solution of chlorine and hot water. 

Step 2: Soak your hands in it for 5-10 minutes.

Step 3: Repeat the steps mentioned above several times as necessary for better results.

Lastly do not forget to moisturize your hands as you may feel dryness on your hands afterwards.

Conditioner

Did you know that you can also use conditioner to get rid of henna ? Simply apply it over your henna and allow your skin the time to absorb it before you rinse it all off with warm water. It’s that simple!

You Can Also Conceal Mehendi With Makeup

Just before we sign off, we have another tip to share with you. According to celebrity makeup artist, Clint Fernandes, you can use a concealer on the back of your hands and wrist area. However, it’s not advisable to use it on your palms because they tend to get sweaty. Also, choosing makeup to conceal mehendi stains largely depends on the climate. If it’s too hot and humid, your makeup will melt – you constantly need to keep touching it up. It’s also a safer option to let a makeup artist do the job than a person who’s new to makeup.  

Who says you have to go about your days with fading mehendi? Our quick hacks will definitely help you in getting rid of your mehendi in no time!

FAQs

Q: How can I remove mehndi fast?

Using the vinegar method, you can get rid of mehendi quickly. Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and rub it on the mehendi for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Q: How long does it take for mehendi to fade?

On showering daily, it will take up to 3 weeks to completely fade off.

Q: How to remove mehndi from your hand in 5 minutes?

Lemon juice and baking soda powder should be combined in equal proportions to create a thick paste. Use this to get rid of the mehndi colour off your hands. Five minutes after applying it, wash it off.

Images: Shutterstock

This story was updated in March 2019.