Henna is fun, but let's be careful

This article is so important, and I cannot express enough the safety of using henna on the body. As with any product there is risk for allergic reaction. If you have not heard of it already, please familiarize yourself with the dangers of black henna.

Black henna is black hair dye containing para-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD. When applied to the skin, it can cause burning/blistering, sores, and life long scars. Not everyone reacts to black henna. But that does not mean there is no damage done. Every time you use black henna, you can become desensitized to PPD, and can develop life threatening health problems.

Black henna often stinks and has a chemical smell. It is thinner than natural henna paste, and applies and dries very quickly. Be careful, black henna can also be mixed with natural henna, and it can be hard to tell the difference. When mixed with water, black dye will release from the mixture, this is not so with natural henna.

"As a teen, I was visiting Seattle's lovely Pike Market. I wandered into a shop that sold spices and herbs. Henna was one of the products they offered. Because I was intrigued by the beautiful dark henna stains I saw on Indian Brides, I thought the right thing to do was ask for black henna. I thought that was what they were using on their skin.

The young girl in the shop pulled a glass canister from behind the counter (it was hidden), and scooped out a pound of black henna powder. I never got around to using it. It sat in that bag, and I ended up tossing it a few months later. Thank goodness. I was being watched over and protected from using this horrible mixture."

Another risk in applying henna, is Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency also known as G6PD. People who are affected by this deficiency should not have henna applied to their skin. If you would like to learn more about G6PD, please click here for a detailed article.

Henna should not be applied to children under ages 7-10 years old. The opinion will vary depending on the artist. This is for the safety of the child, and has nothing to do with them moving around too much, etc. While allergic reactions can vary from a rash, to blisters, and other irritants in an adult or teen. Henna can cause serious health problems for a child, who's immune system is not mature.

Be cautious when applying henna to pregnant women. Henna should only be applied to healthy pregnant women. The safest terp is Lavender Essential Oil.

Never use products marked as henna hair dye, or henna for hair on your skin. Only use body art quality henna, on your skin. When in doubt, use Jamila Henna Powder. Jamila is trusted and used by professional artists.

Watch the following videos-Are you seeing a black henna tattoo in action?
It is not known for sure, if in fact black henna is being used in these videos. But this is how easy it is to come into contact with it. These videos are titled as "henna tattoo" videos, henna can be painted on and stamped on. But never dries immediately (as with the stamp video), and is not a thin black paint (as displayed in the first video)