Crescent Moon Henna

Why is "Black Henna"dangerous?

This information is from my colleague Wardah at hennatrendz.com in San Diego



Henna is not Black

If you have ever seen the boxes of black hair dye...check the ingredients. One main ingredient would be PPD. This chemical is what is used in the name of 'black henna'. So why is it supposed to be so dangerous, you ask?

PPD is a toxin. It is present in instant hair dyes in the concentration of 6%. Every box of hair dye comes with a pair of plastic gloves, because you have to protect direct contact to skin. Hair dye boxes come with precautions and warnings, not to apply directly to the scalp and to wash off the dye after 5-10 minutes.

Black "henna" contains this toxin called para-phenylenediamine or PPD (coal tar) and benzene (an ingredient found in gasoline and paint solvents) which seep into your bloodstream. Imagine mixing gasoline, black dye, and coal tar and applying it to your skin to get your black "henna" tattoo. Sounds appealing, huh?

You have every right to know what is being put on your skin lest you are allergic to an ingredient... and this is exactly the reason why every skin-care product in the market has the ingredients listed on its label.

While in hair dyes, PPD is at 6%, when used as "henna" it is at a whopping concentration of 50-70% or more! Food for thought: 6% is not seeping into your skin, while u are leaving heavily concentrated PPD on your skin to be absorbed into your bloodstream for an HOUR. Scared yet?

Here's more...

The allergic reaction that PPD can cause is similar that of an allergy to bee stings. A PPD allergy can develop at ANY time once you are sensitized to para-phenylenediamine, but may not show up for weeks, months, or even years. Every time you come into contact with PPD, the allergy will worsen. You will be sensitized to PPD for the rest of your life. You will never be able to use a hair dye or other commercial products containing PPD ever again.

A reaction to para-phenylenediamine can include itching, a rash, full body hives, severe blistering, permanent scarring, liver damage, and life-threatening breathing problems.

If you have had a black henna tattoo, do NOT dye your hair with a synthetic hair dye without getting checked for an allergy to PPD.

Once sensitized, you can become cross-sensitive to other PPD-like additives that include…

~ Black clothing dye (imagine not being able to wear black for the rest of your life!)

~ Black rubber

~ Pen ink

~ Some food colorings and preservatives

~ Some prescription and over-the counter medications

~ Sunscreen (PABA)

How do know if henna is safe for use?

If you are getting henna put on you at a festival, fair, amusement park, vacation destination, or henna party, ask the artist the following questions:

What color will my henna be?

If the answer is black, the henna contains PPD. Walk away!!

What is your henna paste made of?

Check for any chemicals or any other ingredients that may trigger an allergy. Mixing henna is not a secret. Any good henna artist will be willing to tell you what is in their henna paste. If your henna artist is unable to provide you with a list of ingredients, it is wise to stay away from such henna.

How long will the henna need to be on my skin?

Natural henna needs time to produce good long-lasting color. If the answer is less than a couple of hours, there is likely something else mixed in with their henna which is not natural.

So, always make sure that whenever you get henna body art done, your artist can provide you with the ingredients in their henna paste... natural henna is beautiful, safe, and temporary, and can be a great experience when you get it done by a reputable henna artist!