Could Henna Tattoos Permanently Scar your Skin?

By: May Rostom

Getting a tattoo is every girls dream but very few get over cultural and religious ties and actually get one. Those who don't get permanent tattoos often turn to temporary henna designs that usually fade off after a week or two. Whether it was at your best friend’s bachelorette or your own bridal party, your temp tattoo can permanently scar your skin. "Just because a tattoo is temporary it doesn't mean that it is risk free," Dr. Linda Katz, director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, said in a statement.

The FDA are starting to warn people to watch out for possible skin damage from Henna containing PPD (Para-phenylenediamine), a coal tar product that is approved for hair dyes but has shown adverse skin reactions in some people.

This warning does NOT apply to the traditional Indian, red-brown henna but rather the dark jet- black one usually made of hair dye. Reported adverse reactions include: skin swelling, redness, blisters, loss of skin pigmentation, increase sensitivity to light, and even permanent skin scarring. According to the FDA’s website:

"By law, all color additives used in cosmetics must be approved by FDA for their intended uses, with the exception of coal tar colors intended for use in hair dyes. Some states have laws and regulations for temporary tattooing, while others don't. So, depending on where you are, it's possible no one is checking to make sure the artist is following safe practices or even knows what may be harmful to consumers."

Always perform a patch test on your inner arm 48 hours before you decide to get a temp henna tattoo. PPD henna usually stain skin immediately or within an hour of application while “safe henna” take a day.

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