Rupal C. Pinto

For those who are concerned about the finality of a permanent tattoo, there is a temporary alternative. The henna tattoo, which derives from the ancient art of mehndi, can be applied and worn for a few weeks with no long—term effects. Henna tattoos have been donned by modern popular icons such as Madonna and Prince, and the art has become a rising trend in mainstream culture. In the following viewpoint, henna artist Rupal C. Pinto traces the traditional roots of mehndi, explains the preparation, application, and removal of the dye, and discusses possible drawbacks of the body art form.