As an aspiring Henna artist it saddens me to see all the photos of people with these so called "Black" Henna tattoos. Firstly because there is no such thing as Henna that is black. Secondly because many people who receive these so called Henna's get very sick, sometimes for life, and Thirdly because many, if not all of these scam artists are getting away with disfiguring these people who just want a pretty temporary design.

"Black" Henna contains a chemical called Para-Phenylenediamine or PPD. This chemical is used in hair dyes under strict guidelines and all hair dyes with PPD in them must label "DO NOT APPLY TO SCALP".

That’s the warning in a 6% solution with PPD and in many cases "Black" Henna contains between 30% and 60% PPD and sometimes more! This is a solution that is being applied DIRECTLY TO YOUR SKIN!

I have personally met people, whom have had "Black" Henna tattoos and are fine, then there are people who have small allergic reactions, for example I go to college with a girl who breaks out in hives from some types of soap due to a PPD related allergy from hair dye. Other people have more serious reactions, for example a young girl named Krystle Wilson whom will require medications for the rest of her life to keep her allergic reactions in check from a "Black" Henna tattoo.

My point is, the dangers of so called "Black" Henna are so apparent I don't seem to understand why and how these rip off 'artists' are getting away with doing these things to people!

Real henna stains the skin in shades of orange, red and sometimes almost a milk chocolate. If you want Black Body Art look for a local Harquu artist, or ask your local REAL Henna Artist about Harquu. Harquu is a safe black resin that is used in movies to give actors tattoos for their roles. It is also the only safe Black Body Art*.

My article cites its sources as follows:
Krystal Wilson's story:
[link]

The Henna Wiki:
[link]

Warnings about PPD:
[link]

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*Harquu is the only safe black body art that is safe to the knowledge of the writer of this article (SerenityFallen). Writer would like to acknowledge that washable black body art, I.E. face paint, is also safe.