Beware of Black Henna Tattoos Most of us have seen the reddish-orange henna tattoos adorned by beach vacationers and spring breakers. Now a new black henna is being used that can cause permanent damage to the skin - sending barbed-wire body branding to the dark side. This black henna is made with a coal tar product called PPD that is approved in hair dye but can cause serious skin reactions for some people when applied as a tattoo. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want something on my skin that was also used to seal pavement! The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned the public that these tattoos can cause severe scarring due to the redness, blistering, loss of pigmentation, and sun sensitivity they may cause in some individuals. These reactions may not be immediate – they may happen days, even weeks after the tattoo is applied. So, think before you get the name of your current love interest etched on your skin – it may in fact be there forever. If you must get a temporary tattoo, opt for the traditional greenish-brown or khaki colored henna that turns to red-brown when dry or stick on tattoos. But steer clear of the black PPD henna which may smell like bleach or ammonia – and be just as corrosive to your skin. Remember, your skin is the largest organ, so be good to it! By Amy Leitermann
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 23:43:21 +0000
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