Beware of Black Henna!

Henna artisans are popping up everywhere, local beaches, festivals, salons, even street corners with its popularity growing; black henna has grown with it. a majority of the artists that use this product don’t even fully understand the dangers that this product brings to themselves or the people that  receive their  beautiful artwork.  Some artists don’t realize that the product they promote as safe is indeed PPD and have sometimes been lied to themselves.  
World, meet Black henna! it is a chemical specifically known as para-Phenylenediamine also known as PPD. Basically if it stains black in minimal time its PPD there are no safe additives that can change traditional henna to become a true black. No mud from the Nile River, or crushed stones or what ever hullabaloo storey of herbs or such used to create it. To simplify it all there is no such thing as safe black henna. It is actually a synthetic black hair dye it is easily available at most stores providing hair coloring products.  Some users will mix with water or henna paste and call it black henna. It is cheap and to excited clients who are wishing to adorn themselves are unknowingly leaving the fate of their own demise not all these clients are adults but young children as well.
PPD is allowed to be added cosmetically to hair dye here in Canada, although under strict regulations. It has to have a warning label as per section 22 of the cosmetic regulations (food and drug act. as crazy as this sounds, the reasoning for this is that the directions for using this product as a hair dye is that you do not was your hair prior to its use, allowing your scalps natural oils and elements (dirt and residue) to remain on the scalp, thus creating a natural skin barrier to protect your skin and only minimal absorption of PPD into the blood line.  When being applied directly to the skin, there is no barrier of oils, the product is applied directly to the skin, and usually at a higher potency than as being used as hair dye on hair.  And as the chemical penetrates the skin, it remains in the skin and stays for weeks.. Where as any chemical that does contact with the scalp has a great chance of being washed off with the oils and built up residue on the scalp.
How does black henna effect us?  If applied topically to the skin it acts as a sensitizer in some individuals.  Research shows this risk for sensitization and various other dermatitis reactions occurs with the exposure and re-exposure of PPD.   a minor reaction may cause mild to severe swelling , hives nausea and dizziness more commonly a dermatitis reaction emerges, raised itchy bumps  blistering and then scabbing eventually healing leaving behind a scar of the tattoo you received. Worst case reaction renal failure, liver or kidney impairment and if you survive there are several months to years to recover with a life time of medication.
Once sensitized to this chemical it prevents future use of various hair dyes, textile dyes, Para-amino benzoic acid (PABA)-based sunscreens, anesthetics, sulfa-based antimicrobial drugs and photo-developing chemicals.  Exposure to any of the above will cause serious dermatitis reactions, thereby affecting you for the remainder of your life.

The only safe henna is traditional Natural henna and its published and permitted by Health Canada  and they urge everyone who is interested in receiving a henna temporary tattoo to ask questions and observe the product the vender is offering,
Here are some things they suggest to look for if you suspect the use of PPD being used.

  • If the PPD in "black henna" is used for its long-lasting properties and intense black color. If the formula and resulting tattoo are jet black, the ink or paste may contain PPD;
  • If the tattoo is to be removed within an hour, the ink or paste may contain PPD;
  • PPD stains typically last one to three weeks, without fading; and,
  • PPD-black henna mixes usually have very little or no scent.

Any other uses of PPD in any other cosmetic product is banned here in Canada, and if any suspected uses of it in any other product other than for use on hair, people are urged to report any misuse of the product to Health Canada. 

For More Information Or To Book Your Appointment

Call: Christine Fenzl at (905)999-9305 or send your emails to cfenzl@gmail.com

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