Black Henna | Henna Tattoos | Mehndi | Body Art

BLACK HENNA

First of all, there is no such thing.

When people advertise using "black henna," it is usually made from a synthetic chemical called para-phenylenediamine or PPD, which is found in hair dye. This chemical is very toxic to the skin and can cause blisters and chemical burns. The result can be a permanent scar in the shape of your tattoo. An adverse reaction to PPD can also cause one to become extremely sensitive to certain chemicals for the rest of one's life. There is a reason why hair dye manufacturers recommend that you avoid getting the dye on your scalp and hands!

Henna only comes in one color and that is a shade of brown to reddish brown. If someone is using "black henna" and tells you to only leave the paste on for an hour or less, beware! Real henna stains take a good 4-6 hours or more to develop. When you remove real henna paste, the design will initially look bright orange for the first half day, then slowly darken to brown during the next 48 hours.

If you see someone offering "black henna," it is best to avoid it unless you know for certain that it is safe. I have heard of many instances where the "black henna" artist will claim their product is safe when it's not. After all, they WANT YOUR BUSINESS. Some don't even know the ingredients of their own product. Don't be afraid to ask what is in the paste. If the artist cannot or will not give you an answer, stay away! It's not worth the risk.

There ARE safe versions of "black henna", but they are more than likely Indigo and not henna. Indigo is a safe, naturally occurring dye that will stain the skin blue, but it will only last for a day or two at most.

For more on the dangers of "black henna," click here for a great deal of useful information from Henna Tribe.