Henna tattoo is a temporary tattoo which is generally applied on the hands and legs. This is also known as Mehndi and is practiced in many countries but mostly in India, North Africa, and the Middle East. Henna tattoo is gaining popularity in the West and many are opting for it in festivals, carnivals and tours.
While people may feel it is harmless as it is temporary, it can be dangerous. When the chemical para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is used in henna, it can cause contact dermatitis which results in skin reddening, blisters and scars.
Natural henna is made from the henna plant leaves and is red in color. To add to the color and to make the henna tattoo last longer, a chemical PPD is used. PPD may cause an allergic reaction in the form of dermatitis when henna is applied. You can get blisters at the place of the tattoo, which may in turn result in scarring.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of USA has not approved the application of henna to the skin because of the allergic reaction it causes. PPD is approved to be used in hair dyes by the FDA as it is considered to be safe when applied indirectly.
The black henna has the additive PPD. The black henna has 10 times more PPD than that in hair dyes. Black henna tattoo lasts longer and dries quicker than the natural henna. So, if the henna applier promises you that the henna tattoo will last longer, you need to be careful.
If a person gets an allergic reaction to henna, he/she might gain sensitivity to the PPD containing products such as hair dyes, ink, and also PPD containing medicines for hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.
Ways to be careful to get natural henna tattoo:
Here are the ways to be careful to get natural henna tattoo:
- The color of natural henna is brown and not black
- Find out about the ingredients used in henna
- Natural henna tattoo does not last long and fades away after few days
- Professional salons are reliable for natural henna tattoos, avoid streets-side shops for tattooing
Teenagers and young women are interested in henna tattoos as they are popular these days. However, you need to be careful about the ingredients contained in henna and also from where you’re purchasing it.
