How Henna Crowns Empower People Around The World

Henna has so many uses that it is hard to list them all. Some of them are surprisingly inventive, but not many are as heart-warming as the creations of Henna Heals team from Toronto, Canada. Henna crowns were made what they are today by Frances Darwin, a photographer from Toronto. Frances and her team of five started Henna Heals in 2011, after Frances had been away photographing a breast cancer patient whose scalp had been adorned with a stunning henna tattoo.

The patient was so enamored with her henna tattoo that she claimed to feel more beautiful than ever before. This inspired Frances to follow suit when she returned to Toronto, and Henna Heals was born. Frances says that her beautiful henna designs take up to an hour and a half to create, and each one is unique and tailored to the requirements of each person who comes to her. She sometimes extends the designs down the neck and over the forehead if this is desired.

Henna crowns are happening all around the world

Today there are almost one hundred and fifty Henna Heals artists around the world, from the US to Asia and Australia, all of whom paint beautiful henna creations onto the scalps of those with hair loss. You probably know that hair loss can happen for many reasons, but two of the most common causes are alopecia and chemotherapy. Naturally the loss of their hair is a big change for most women, and you can understand how it would knock their confidence somewhat. Men also go in for henna crowns on occasion too.

Regardless of gender, a henna tattoo on the scalp is an amazing, novel way for people to embrace their baldness. They give those that don’t feel comfortable being public with their baldness another option; now wigs, scarves and hats are not the only way. Isn’t it amazing that what the henna crown does is the opposite? It accentuates rather than conceals.

Henna artists who wish to follow in the footsteps of the caring ladies at Henna Heals will undoubtedly have their blessings. Their intention is to build morale, helping people with hair loss to feel empowered rather than self-conscious. Rather than standing out from the crowd due to an apparent sickness, they stand out for having the confidence to embrace that publicly; it is quite something to enhance through stunning artwork rather than disguising with a wig or hat.

Henna crowns inspire liberation

Drawing attention to the situation in this way is surely liberating, and would inspire others in similar situations to be confident rather than hiding away. We are sure you’ll agree that there is no reason baldness can’t be beautiful; and if wearing a henna crown helps society to accept and embrace what is different rather than impulsively extending pity, this is likely to work wonders for the confidence of those suffering from the conditions behind their baldness.

By doing something to shift the focus away from the ‘negative’ (illness) and onto the ‘positive’ (beauty), the wearer is able to experience far more positive emotions, which can only be healthy!

 A henna crown is not only a great conversation starter, but also a very modern fashion statement. Onlookers are immediately put at ease and often admire the confidence that someone wearing a henna crown exudes. One of Frances Darwin’s patients said of her henna crown, “Having the henna crown seems to have made me approachable to others who’ve been exposed to cancer in one way or another, and they’ve been more willing to share their stories with me.”

Henna crowns led to even more creative ideas

If you’re a henna artist, you may have already explored a diverse array of skills and techniques. Maybe you’re already running with the idea of using henna to enhance and empower, but there are always more things you can do. For instance, another option that the Henna Heals team offers is henna designs over scars for those who wish to reframe their ideas about the damaged skin. In time, perhaps this will be something that men and children benefit more from too.

In the modern world, it would be great if we could broaden our ideas on what is categorized as beautiful. Henna is a fantastic tool for doing this. It is always important to use 100% natural henna anyway, but this is especially so with those with lowered immune systems, and of course it goes without saying that it’s important not to use any inks or dyes on broken skin.

Henna artists out there who love this idea: it’s a great way to expand your repertoire and there are several tutorials available to give you some inspiration. Henna Heals have done this one, but there are many more tutorials and designs showcased on YouTube. You know that henna work is already rewarding, but empowering others in this way is its own reward. We wish you the best of luck in extending your henna skills and techniques!