If you like to adorn your body every summer with temporary henna tattoos, you need to be careful. Black hennacontains dyes prohibited for use on the skinsince they can trigger various allergies, according to the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (Ministry of Health). Natural henna, on the other hand, has no adverse health effects.
With the arrival of summer, the offer of temporary tattoos with henna proliferates on beaches, beach bars and street markets. Health authorities warn of the health risks of black henna, a product obtained by adding some dyes to natural henna that give it a more attractive dark black hue and increase its duration. These substances include several prohibited toxic compounds, such as p-phenylenediamine, which can trigger various skin allergies.
On the contrary, natural henna, which is obtained from the dried and powdered leaves of a shrub called henna or arjeña (Lawsonia inermis) and does not receive any further treatment, it is harmless to health. It differs from black henna becauseit is greenish brown and the tattoo color is chestnut red instead of black. The natural henna tattoo lasts only three or four days, while the black one remains on the skin for up to a week. Another way to distinguish them is the application time: the natural one has to be in contact with the skin as long as possible, while with the other one hour of waiting is enough.
Symptoms of allergic reactions range from red or itchy skin to blistering, permanent discoloration, and even scarring. Experts recommend that you see a doctor urgently in case you experience any of these effects.
