What is black henna?
“Black Henna” is partly fermented, dried indigo plant dye and called “black henna” because it can be used in combination with henna to dye hair black. The indigo plant itself will not cause any staining.
What is the history of black henna?
Black henna is a plant product that has been used as a hair dye mainly in some African and Asian countries. Traditionally it has been used for special anniversaries such as weddings. The dye is placed on various parts of the body in intricate hand made designs. With a large influx of Asian migrants into North America this dye has become very popular in North America. Most tattoo parlors in North America offer the service. The black henna is used to create tattoos in all ethnic cultures.
What's the difference between black and the natural brown henna?
The natural henna used by Asians is brownish/red in color and usually stains best on the hands and legs. It also fades rapidly. Black henna stains intensely and can be applied anywhere on the body except the face. Black henna also has several chemicals added to it to generate the intense black color. Kits available over the internet generally offer a poor quality product which does not last long nor does it produce an intense stain.
What other additives are found in black henna?
In the 1990s, henna artists in the Orient and Africa began to experiment with para-phenylenediamine (PPD) to the indigo plant. This was an attempt to increase the intensity of the stain.
How is PPD use for dye?
PPD is added to the indigo plant to intensify the dye color. When used in hair dye, the PPD concentration must be less than 6%. The warnings on the labels do warn that a combination of PPD and the dye should not touch the face area and any exposure to the eye must be rinsed right away. Depending the tattoo parlor, the combination of the dye and PPD concentrations may vary from 6-10%. Once PPD is added, the mixture is left on the skin for about 10-30 minutes.
Does application of black henna hurt?
No needles are involved in the applications of the dye. It is painted on the skin with a tooth pick or Q tip. Only the outer layer of the skin is painted. This dye is never meant for injection anywhere in the body.
How is the dye applied?
The black henna has a consistency of toothpaste and is applied with a toothpick. Once painted on the skin, it is left to dry, which may take about 30-60 minutes. As the paste dries, a crust is formed which falls off on its own. One can even remove the dry crust by washing in water. Depending on the complexity and size, most black henna tattoo take about 30-60 minutes to apply. Because the black henna dye can stain clothes, one has to be careful when applying the dye.
How long does the black henna tattoo last?
The black henna tattoo usually lasts from 7-21 days depending on the skin. Everyone's skin exfoliates differently. The majority of people start fading the dye in 2 weeks and the tattoo usually is gone by the third week. Only rarely is the tattoo present after the 4th week. Showering and bathing does not affect the duration of the tattoo. Unfortunately once the tattoo is applied, it can’t be removed. You just have to let it fade way. Washing the area multiple times a day may help expedite the removal.
Can the black henna be applied anywhere on the body?
Black henna tattoo is not supposed to be applied in the mouth, eyes, nose or face area. The tattoo should not be used in children or in pregnant females.
What are side effects of black henna?
Unlike the natural henna, a number of individuals may have allergy to this product because of the number of additives. If the individual has any history of allergies, this product should be avoided.
PPD can cause severe allergic reactions, with blistering, itching, permanent scarring and sensitivity. Estimates of allergic reactions range between 3% and 15%. Henna does not cause these injuries. Para-phenylenediamine is illegal for use on skin in western countries, though enforcement is lax.
