The Evils of Black Henna or "Bali Tattoo"

What Is Black Henna and Why You Should NEVER USE IT
Why Is Black Henna So Popular if It Is So Bad?
How Do I Know if a Henna Artist Is Using Black Henna?
Black Henna in Beauty Salons, Street Fairs/Festivals, the Beach, and in the Middle East
Spread the Word
More About Black Henna

Images from The Reverend Bunny's Secret Henna Diary. These two pictures are the progressive results of a PPD black henna tattoo.

What Is Black Henna and Why You Should NEVER USE IT

NEVER EVER USE BLACK HENNA!!! First of all, there is no true henna that leaves a black stain on the skin! Any product advertising itself as black henna is using an ingredient other than henna to achieve the black color. What is that ingredient? It is PPD (p-Phenylenediamine).

PPD is found in many black hair dyes, and the compound is known to cause severe allergic reactions with symptoms of muscle weakness, headaches, sore throat, stomach ache and light headeness. It may cause terrible blisters that are painful, ooze, itch like mad, and leave scars. "Even if you don't get a visible skin reaction to PPD, it can still be harmful. PPD penetrates deep into the skin, reaching the dermis (living cells) and passing into the blood stream. This is in contrast to henna, which only penetrates as far as the dead skin cells of the epidermis. Once in the blood stream, PPD may have effects on the kidneys, resulting in kidney impairment. Repeated or prolonged inhalation exposure may cause asthma, so those who prepare PPD-based black henna are at risk as well." (The Henna Page)

Why Is Black Henna So Popular if It Is So Bad?

Good question! There are two basic reasons:

Due to human nature, people like to get long lasting dramatic results quickly and easily. There is no question that Black Henna gives a nice dark stain in a short time, and the designs often last far longer than natural henna (by weeks). However, the vast majority of people getting black henna done on themselves are NOT INFORMED about the dangers of the substance. Would you choose to put a harmful chemical on your skin (or the skin of a loved one or child) knowing that you could be permanently scarred or have your internal organs suffer damage? Most people who care about their health would not.
On the part of artists using Black Henna, it is either a matter of IGNORANCE or simple GREED. Some henna artists neither know that what they are putting on people’s skins is harmful to their clients, nor realize that making and working with the substance is harmful to their own health. The continual exposure to black henna (both during preparation and use) can cause the henna artist severe lung and other health problems.
Many Black Henna artists however do know about the risks, and choose to use it anyway. Unfortunatly, some artists are greedy and want to cash in on the public’s uneducated demand for quick-dark-long lasting designs. Other artists don’t have the patience or fortitude to explain how care for natural henna to get the best results, and fear that clients won’t want to deal with caring for their natural henna design, thus loosing the client.

How Do I Know if a Henna Artist Is Using Black Henna?

Often Black Henna artists will advertise their work as “Black Henna.” In such cases you have an obvious answer.

If the type of henna is not listed, first and foremost ASK!!!! “Is this black henna?” If the artist says yes, ask if they have red henna they can use on you. [NOTE: if a Black Henna artist has red henna, the red henna, more often than not, is still loaded with bad chemicals to create a quick and dark stain. USE YOUR DISGRESSION.]

Beware however, there are unscrupulous individuals out there who will lie just to get your money. They will tell you it is not Black Henna, or that it is Black Henna, but it is a “safe” Black Henna. Do not be deceived!!! They are LYING!!! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NATURAL OR SAFE BLACK HENNA!!!

So how do you know if an artist is lying about their use of Black Henna? These are some telltale signs that Black Henna is being used:

Look for any pictures they have of their designs. If a FINISHED STAIN (not the paste) is black, obviously Black Henna has been used. Even if the photos are black and white, a Black Henna stain will look VERY DARK and uniform. Natural henna may get dark, but not that dark (especially anywhere other than the palms of your hands or soles of your feet).
Look to see if the artist has any henna on him/herself. If so, than you can see upfront what kind of henna they use. If not be speculative. True henna artists usually love to adorn themselves with henna (having designs on themselves is a great way to advertise their work--not to mention it is beautiful). Black Henna artists who know about the dangers will avoid touching the stuff. Not only will they not have designs on themselves, but some also go as far as using protective latex gloves when handling their henna.

Black Henna in Beauty Salons, Street Fairs/Festivlas, the Beach, and in the Middle East

Here are a few places where you should be cautious when looking to get a henna design:

Beauty Salons--Internationally, body and hand/nail salons are starting to offer henna to their clients. Some salons do use legitimate henna artists with natural henna. Many salons however use low paid artist and Black or chemically treated red henna. Ask what they use.
Street Fairs/Festivals--It is becoming more frequent to find henna artist at street fairs and festivals. Many artists are very good henna artists who use natural henna. Often street fairs and festivals are ways for henna artists to supplement and bolster their business. However, Black Henna artists are everywhere, so, again, ask what they use if you are not sure.
The Beach--What better place to get henna than a warm sunny beach where you are showing off plenty of skin? Black Henna artists flock to beaches and seaside towns so they can capitalize on the tourist trade. Be extra cautious when getting henna done at the seaside!
The Middle East--It is unfortunate that the home land of henna has commercially turned to Black Henna or chemically treated red henna. I have traveled extensively through and lived in the Middle East, and almost everywhere that I have been it is more common than not to find henna artists using Black Henna or chemicalized red henna. Why would middle easterners use bad henna? Most don’t know about the dangers, and thus, being as human as everyone else, they go for “henna” that stains quickly and darkly. If you want to get natural henna while you are in the Middle East, my suggestion is to avoid henna at hotels, salons, hammams, tourist areas, and street vendors. If you can, make friends with the locals and ask if they know someone (family member or friend) who would do henna on you in the old traditional way. You will usually have to make an appointment with the person at least one day in advance so they can make the henna.

Spread the Word

The best way to combat the popular use of Black henna is by SPREADING THE WORD about its dangers. Tell your family. Tell your friends. Tell strangers that you meet on the street who you see with a black henna design. Tell the people that you have told to tell their friends and family.

It is tempting to talk to Black Henna artists directly, but this might lead to a heated situation. If you feel so moved, it is by far better to contact the local authorities (police, tourist police, or health officials). Inform the authorities about the dangers of Black Henna. Make the case that Black Henna artists are putting tourists at a severe health risk. Touristy areas want to insure the health and happiness of their customers (so they come back and spend more money), thus there is a good chance that the authorities will listen to you and take the appropriate action.

More About Black Henna

For More information about the dangers of black henna (and some graphics that will be sure to scare you away from the nasty stuff) please visit the following sites: