With the summer holidays well underway, you may think ‘black henna’ tattoos can be a fun way to decorate your skin while on holiday or at a festival or fair. However, you may not realise that having a so-called 'black henna' temporary tattoo, or treating children to one, could result in a severe skin reaction.
What is in ‘black henna’
Henna extract is orange-red in colour. So-called ‘black henna’ tattoos are not henna at all, but are mixed with a substance called PPD (paraphenylenediamine). This use of PPD in temporary tattoos is illegal in the UK and EU, however illegal use still continues, especially at holiday resorts and festivals.
PPD - what does it do?
PPD is used safely and legally as an ingredient in hair dyes, but when applied directly to the skin in a temporary tattoo it can cause blistering, painful skin burns and may even lead to scarring. It can also sensitise you to PPD and cause a painful allergic reaction called 'contact dermatitis.'
If you have been sensitised to PPD through a 'black henna' temporary tattoo, you are very likely to have an allergic reaction to PPD elsewhere in future, such as when you use hair dyes. Hair dyes themselves are regulated under the stringent UK and EU cosmetic safety regulations and are safe to use when the instructions are followed carefully, which includes doing an Allergy Alert Test 48 hours in advance every time you colour your hair. If you have reacted to a ‘black henna’ temporary tattoo, and because an allergy is for life, you may never be able to use permanent hair colours in the future without risking a bad reaction.
What should I do if I react to a 'black henna' temporary tattoo?
If you do suffer a reaction from a temporary tattoo, consult your doctor who may refer you to a dermatologist to carry out a patch test. This will identify what ingredient has caused the problem so you can avoid it in the future. It is also absolutely essential to do an Allergy Alert Test 48 hours before colouring the hair.
Dr Emma Meredith, Director-General CTPA: "I would really advise children and adults to avoid having a so-called 'black henna' temporary tattoo. They present a significant risk of a very nasty adverse reaction and increase the risk of either not being able to use most hair dyes in the future or having a bad reaction to them if the warnings are ignored.”
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Avoid 'black henna' temporary tattoos
