The Evils of Black Henna or "Bali Tattoo"

NEVER EVER USE BLACK HENNA!!! First of all, there is no true henna that leaves a black stain on the skin. Any product advertising itself as black henna is using an ingredient other than henna to achieve the black color. What is that ingredient? It is PPD (p-Phenylenediamine).

PPD is found in many black hair dyes, and the compound is known to cause severe allergic reactions with symptoms of muscle weakness, headaches, sore throat, stomach ache and light headeness. It may cause terrible blisters that are painful, ooze, itch like mad, and leave scars. "Even if you don't get a visible skin reaction to PPD, it can still be harmful. PPD penetrates deep into the skin, reaching the dermis (living cells) and passing into the blood stream. This is in contrast to henna, which only penetrates as far as the dead skin cells of the epidermis. Once in the blood stream, PPD may have effects on the kidneys, resulting in kidney impairment. Repeated or prolonged inhalation exposure may cause asthma, so those who prepare PPD-based black henna are at risk as well." (The Henna Page)

For More information about the dangers of black henna (and some graphics that will be sure to scare you away from the nasty stuff) please visit the following sites:

• The Henna Page--"Warnings and Safety Issues"
• The Reverend Bunny's Secret Henna Diary

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