BLACK HENNA IS TOXIC

Black henna is a chemical dye also known as PPD (para-phenylenediamine). PPD is considered to be very toxic and can cause some serious short and long term health problems. PPD black henna is usually found in ink form and sometimes it is added to henna paste to produce a jet black colour, as opposed to natural henna which is reddish brown. Some hair dyes also contain PPD. PPD black henna is still offered in touristic destinations around the world, including Morocco, Mexico, USA and even in Canada despite its use being forbidden by Health Canada since 2003.

HEALTH RISKS

The risk of developing an allergic reactions after being exposed to a PPD black henna tattoo are high. Several medical studies have found that being exposed to PPD can cause hypersensitization of the immune system, severe inflammation, redness of the skin and skin rashes, blistering and permanent scarring.
In more severe cases, PPD was found to cause liver and kidney damage, asthma, respiratory problems, anaphylactic reactions as well as certain type of cancers. AVOID PPD BLACK HENNA TATTOOS.

PPD VERSUS NATURAL HENNA

Telling the difference between natural henna and PPD is easy. PPD black henna is applied as an liquid ink or sometimes is added to henna paste. It stains the skin in jet black very quickly, often just in one or two hours. PPD can cause an allergic reaction within minutes or sometimes after several weeks around the area of the skin where it was applied.
NATURAL HENNA needs to remain several hours on the skin before its final colour of a reddish brown appears, about 48 hours following removal of the paste. Natural henna is never black.

PROTECT YOUR HEALTH AGAINST PPD

Before getting a temporary tattoo, here are a few questions you can ask the artist in order to avoid being exposed to PPD black henna:
• Is the henna paste prepared by the henna-artist?
• What are the ingredients used to make the paste?
• Is there any PPD or other chemicals found in the paste?
• What colour will the henna design be?

Pay attention to terms such as "mehndi oil" or "black clove oil" which can be clues that the product being used to create temporary tattoos is not safe for the skin.

Ingredients such as natural henna powder, lemon juice, sugar, tea or coffee, as well as various essential oils (eucalyptus, lavender, cajeput, geranium, etc.) are most often used to make a henna paste that is safe to use on the skin and creates no risk for your health.

MORE INFO ON PPD BLACK HENNA

• Health Canada Notice

Health Canada has issued a notice regarding the dangers linked to PPD black henna and subsequent health risks. The use and selling of products containing PPD are forbidden in Canada.

• Facebook Page : Henné noir = danger

Facebook page containing articles and information on the dangers of PPD black henna (in French and English).

• What You Need To Know on Para-phenylenediamine (PPD)

Instructive information on the dangers of PPD.

MEDICAL ARTICLES ON BLACK HENNA

• CMAJ

Article published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal on allergic reactions caused by PPD.

• Medical articles regarding risks related to PPD

List of numerous medical articles concerning health risks related to using PPD black henna and PPD based hair dyes.

• PubMed

Article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information concerning temporary tattoos containing PPD.

• DermNet NZ

Information from the New Zealand Dermatological Society on the dangers of para-phenylenediamine.

CASES OF SEVERE REACTIONS TO BLACK HENNA

• Julie McCabe

Article on the BBC News site concerning the dangers of black henna and hair dyes containing PPD.

• Case of severe skin reaction

Article on the Standard Digital News site concerning the dangers of black henna for the skin.

• Krystle's Story

Story of a young woman who developed serious health problems a few days after having gotten a black henna tattoo.

Do You Have More Questions?

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