Henna tattoos are a popular body decoration for
children and adults alike. Artists often host booths at fairs where children can step in and get anything from a
butterfly to Chinese symbols emblazoned on their body parts. Kits for home use are available at specialty stores and
are fairly simple to use. The advantage of henna tattoos is that they offer a temporary bit of tattoo glamor, are
painless and wash off within two weeks. The main ingredient in henna is hydroxynaphthaquinone which is obtained from
leaves of the Lawsonia tree. Hydroxynaphthaquinone alone is not carcinogenic, but when combined with
para-phenylenediamine (PPD) the mixture has been documented as causing problems. PPD is a synthetic dye used to
accelerate the drying time of the henna mixture, darkens the overall tattoo and allows for more precise, detailed
images.The chemical has been documented to cause severe blisters, skin rashes and scars. In 1979 the US National Cancer
Institute labeled PPD as a possible carcinogen due to a high incidence of liver cancer in workers at PPD production
plants. Not all henna artists or henna kits use dye with PPD, if the resulting tattoo is an intense dark black and
lasts for more than several weeks, it likely contains the undesired ingredient.Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Henna ingredients may cause cancer
Henna tattoos are a popular body decoration for
children and adults alike. Artists often host booths at fairs where children can step in and get anything from a
butterfly to Chinese symbols emblazoned on their body parts. Kits for home use are available at specialty stores and
are fairly simple to use. The advantage of henna tattoos is that they offer a temporary bit of tattoo glamor, are
painless and wash off within two weeks. The main ingredient in henna is hydroxynaphthaquinone which is obtained from
leaves of the Lawsonia tree. Hydroxynaphthaquinone alone is not carcinogenic, but when combined with
para-phenylenediamine (PPD) the mixture has been documented as causing problems. PPD is a synthetic dye used to
accelerate the drying time of the henna mixture, darkens the overall tattoo and allows for more precise, detailed
images.The chemical has been documented to cause severe blisters, skin rashes and scars. In 1979 the US National Cancer
Institute labeled PPD as a possible carcinogen due to a high incidence of liver cancer in workers at PPD production
plants. Not all henna artists or henna kits use dye with PPD, if the resulting tattoo is an intense dark black and
lasts for more than several weeks, it likely contains the undesired ingredient.Reader Comments
(Page 2)22. I wanted to add to the above sensible comments that stress that it is the PPD, not the henna itself that is the culprit.
And, importantly, PPD is not a "henna ingredient" any more than firey chili peppers are a "pizza sauce ingredient." My fiancee may add them to his sauce, but certainly no one should ever expect it to be there, and he is responsible for telling them what dangers may come from his addition to the otherwise safe standard everyone loves.
Any reputable henna artists, and certainly all certified ones, will only use 100% natural and pure henna.
It's easy to find out whether or not a particular artist is using pure henna or has added PPD to the mix. Just ask them what they put in their mix, and ask them what color it will turn out. If they say it will be black, run away - they're using PPD. If they list unadulterated henna powder, essential oils, lemon juice, and tea, they're using the good stuff. Never trust pre-mixed henna, as the ingredients lists are not well regulated everywhere. Only trust artisan-mixed henna or henna that you yourself have mixed with what you know to be unadulterated henna.
-Heather (who, obviously, only uses real and unadulterated henna)
www.hennabyheather.com
23. Erm, hello! Everyone's like missing the point. So what if the title isn't 'black'henna as someone suggested it should be. And what does indian history have to do wih it? The point is that PPD is not good, so don't use it and foolstop. So shut up with the useless arguing!
21. I believe that it should have been worded differently. Henna does not cause nor is their any link to cancer. It is misleading to say otherwise.
Some shady people or ignornant people use PPD, a proven carcinogen, on skin art and call it black henna. I could spit on the ground and call it art, but that doesn't menat it is!!
IT is not just used by Indians. It is been used for thousands of years in Africa and the Middle East as well.
I think an article about PPD should be the focus and it's use in many countries (including the US) in hair dye and its link to liver and bladder cancers should be discussed.
In countries such as India, you can buy what is labeled as black henna, but does not even contain henna at all for just pennies to color your hair black. Imagine how many men and women in these countries have died their grey hair black with this horrid substance!
Posted at 12:27PM on Apr 5th 2006 by Holly Al-Abad