Henna Tattoos Harmful For Skin

The fashionable henna tattoos which are in vogue these days can actually cause skin problems, dermatologists have warned. In order to extend the longevity of the tattoo, some tattoo artists are adding a harmful chemical known as para-phenylenediamine (PPD).

The ill-effects of black henna tattoos were discussed at the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy Meeting 2008 in Chicago. Sharon E. Jacob, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of paediatrics and medicine (dermatology) at the University of California, San Diego said that the number of skin allergy cases due to henna are increasing.

The most dangerous trend that has come into picture is that very young children are a part of the patients getting treated for allergic reactions to PPD. Children as young as four years of age are experiencing skin reactions.

“Each exposure to PPD re-challenges the immune systemdefine, so each time you get a black henna tattoo or use a hair dye that contains PPD, there is an increased risk of having a reaction,” said Dr. Jacob. “Many people are sensitized to PPD, but don’t have a reaction to it. However, each time you are exposed to black henna, you increase your risk of developing a lifelong allergy to it.”

Natural henna is derived from leaves of the lawsonia inermis plant and is used for making temporary tattoos. The colouring that comes from natural henna is harmless in all aspects and does not last for a much longer period of time.

But now the henna artists are adding PPD or black hair dye in order to make the tattoo stay longer on the skin. PDP makes the tattoo turn black and it can stay on the skin for weeks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibits the direct application of PPD to the skin because of its known health risks. But because the tattoo industry is still not regulated so the people are exposing themselves to serious skin problems.

Most of the parents are unaware of the damage caused by henna tattoos which are being sold everywhere, from summer carnivals to open-air malls. They think the tattoos are safe because of their temporary nature and the easy availability at popular family venues.