Henna is traditionally done on the palms and feet for religious or ceremonial purposes.

A full day of beauty at Hair Formations in Sacramento includes much more than getting your hair and nails done. Here, salon owner Renu Lal brings the ancient Hindu ritual of Mehndi to the Western World.

Mehndi, known in the U.S. as Henna body art looks like a tattoo, only it's temporary, lasting anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks.

Rose Zahn / Sacramento Resident: "When I turn 60, I don't want to have that Tweety bird on my rear end or something. So nothing is permanent. I'm afraid I might change my mind, so this is perfect because it's like 2 or 3 weeks and it's kind of neat and it's kind of special and then before you get tired of it, it wears off."

Henna is traditionally done on the palms and feet for religious or ceremonial purposes, but these days Renu is painting intricate designs on backs, pregnant bellies and baldheads.

Renu Lal / Henna Artist: "Henna is like a paste that's made from the leaves of the plant, Henna plant. You make the paste and you mix it with a lot of tea and juices and oils and you apply it, so it's like a temporary dye."

The designs are then sealed with honey and lemon.

The longer this paste stays on, the darker the stain will be. But don't expect it to dry in your choice of colors because there's no such thing as colored henna. Depending on skin pigmentation, the result is usually brown or orange in color and while it does make a fashion statement, it's true intent is of a spiritual nature.

Rose Zahn / Sacramento Resident: "It's like wearing a prayer and so when you think about it, when you're not feeling good or feeling down, it will make you feel better." Renu Lal calls Henna the unspoken language between women and the universe.

Renu Lal / Henna Artist: "Henna is very spiritual, very spiritual for women and you paint your hands and the more detail the patterns are, they say the goddesses dwell in those patterns."

And so, these days Renu is painting intricate designs on everyone from cancer patients to people who just want a little protection.

Pam Herrera / Sacramento Resident: "I'm going on a little mini vacation this weekend, so I wanted to have it done, so I'd have safe trip."

Many, like Pam Herrera, say it's like wearing a prayer.

Pam Herrera / Sacramento Resident: "The last few times that I've had it done, it almost gives you a sense of peace."

	These days Renu is painting intricate designs on everyone from cancer patients to people who just want a little protection.

Renu Lal / Henna Artist: "A lot of women get so emotional when I do Henna, they just cry. So many times. They say that it brings them spiritually so high up there. It's like a form of connection."

Whether they do it for spiritual reasons or simply for fashion, Henna's popularity is growing, creating an aura of mystery and glamour that lasts 2 to 3 weeks at a time.

Marcy Valenzuela, KOVR 13 News