[Aria]

Taken from WebMD:

"The Food and Drug Administration has received complaints from people who have received products marketed as henna temporary tattoos, especially so-called "black henna," at places such as salons and kiosks at beaches and fairs. There have been reports of allergic reactions, skin irritations, infections, and even scarring. "Black henna" may contain the added "coal tar" color, p-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. Henna itself is made from a plant and typically produces a brown, orange-brown, or reddish-brown tint. Other ingredients must be added to produce other colors. Even brown shades of products marketed as henna may contain other ingredients intended to make them darker or make the stain last longer. While the FDA has approved henna for coloring hair, and PPD is used in cosmetics as a hair dye, neither of these color additives is approved for direct application to the skin."

From http://hennabyjessica.health.officel...ackHenna.aspx:

"Henna is not Black:

Natural henna takes a while to prepare because you have to soak it in essential oils and lemon juice. It takes about six to 10 hours to develop the stain compared to the black henna that you instantly mix and it's ready in 10 minutes." Black henna stains the skin jet black. Natural henna is an orange color and darkens as it develops.The designs stay on for about two weeks, but (is good for) people against tattooing while in vacation spots. "Street artists -- they do this with black henna, black dye. It's easy money. It's fast to do. You're never going to see them again. It's a quick buck for them." PPD is similar to bee venom or poison ivy, which some people are more sensitive to than others. A reaction to a black henna tattoo may not appear for three to 10 days after being applied."

From http://shophenna.com/safety.htm:

Para-phenylenediamine (coal tar) is most often found in hair dyes. It is legal in hair dye in the USA at 6% or less. It is illegal in many European countries. When it used as henna, it is typically in concentrations of 50-70% or more.

The allergic reaction that PPD can cause is similar that of an allergy to bee stings. You may know someone who has to carry around a life-saving syringe in case they are stung by a bee? A PPD allergy can develop at any time once you are sensitized to para-phenylenediamine, but may not show up for weeks, months, or even years. Every time you come into contact with PPD, the allergy will worsen.

You will be sensitized to PPD for the rest of your life. Once sensitized to PPD you will be cross sensitized to many other chemicals. Once sensitized to PPD you will never be able to dye your hair again.

A reaction to para-phenylenediamine can include itching, a rash, full body hives, severe blistering, sever swelling, permanent scarring, liver damage, and life-threatening breathing problems. Progressive exposure to PPD and benzene has been linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.
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This is probably also why there have been so many reactions to the chemical hair-dyes.

Many of these cases are children. An infant should never be hennaed and a child should be 8 before they get one. (this is for regular henna, black henna should not be used on anyone).

Remember that the natural brown/red/orange henna is fine and that it is only when PPD and other harmful chemicals are added that it becomes dangerous.

[Deathofjocelynn]

"She now has a scar in the shape of a Playboy bunny"

Actually, I like those Henna things more when they have an allergic reaction. They're more beautiful in 3D.

[*Ragdoll_Cutie*]

OUCHIE!!!

[suicidepudding]

hey at least it leaves a cool scar.

[emeraldlizards]

Yuck!

[Blu]

I was thinking that some of these people just paid like 1/10th-1/15th for a henna application that they would of for a scarification session, some of them look like they will heal up nicely, the guy with those tribals on his arm, I am betting he's really thinking "Oh my god, kickass!!!"

lol, did this thread make anyone else actually consider maybe trying this on purpose now? xD

[SeaGrave]

Henna is such a stupid fad.
Easy way to do some home scarification though

[Dynamo47]

Thanks for posting that. My son is 10 and since I am inked up he has been asking for one. I let him do the temp tats that you wet to transfer the image but there is no way in hell he is getting one of these now.

I never would have known the possible allergic reactions

[PoetsOfTheFall]

Nice memories from vacations

[corpsehands]

ive got some prank ideas now