What is BLACK Henna?


Henna is NOT black. If someone offers you something called "Black Henna", it is NOT Henna. If someone has something that stains skin black, it is NOT henna. The black dye is probably para-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD, and that can hurt you.

Another question I am asked frequently is, "Does it come in black?" No, Henna does not come in any other color than it naturally dyes your skin. You might have seen advertisements on the beach or at a theme park for "Black Henna", so what is that? Black Henna is most often what natural henna artist refer to as PPD or para-phenylenediamine.

PPD is a chemical used for hair dye among other things, it is dangerous to use on the skin and can result in scarring, blistering, and sensitivity to household chemicals. Please be careful what you put on your skin.


IS IT "PPD BLACK HENNA"?


If unsure, always read the ingredients first before applying Henna on your body. Pure Henna is 100% safe and has been used for thousands of years in ancient India, parts of Middle East and Northern Africa..

The following are some of the tips that may help you to recognize Black Henna:

• If the paste is greenish, and smells like spinach or a hay bale, it is probably natural henna. Sometimes reputable henna artists add natural oils or herbs that can spice up the fragrance and darken the color.
• If the paste is deep black or grayish, it is probably NOT natural henna and should be avoided. PPD paste is jet black.
• Ask how long it takes to stain and how long it lasts. If the answers are "just an hour or two" and "a week or more", it's PPD. If the henna artist tells you that you only need to leave the paste on for an hour or two, their henna probably contains PPD and should be avoided! Real traditional henna must stay on your skin longer to make a stain - usually 6-12 hours. The resulting color will be a reddish brown, not black.
• Ask how long it lasts. If the answer is "a week or more" then it most likely contains PPD.
• Ask what color it will give. If the answer is "pure black", it's PPD. Real henna does NOT stain black. PPD does stain black! If the artist is offering "colored henna" ask to see a list of ingredients, and decide for yourself if the product is safe for you.
• Ask to see an ingredients list. If the artist can't supply one, or you don't like what you see, walk away.