Black Henna Warnings
The PPD chemical (Para-phenylenediamine) or Black henna phenomenon has harmed people for
years now all around the world. This is a problem that plagues reputable henna artists
everywhere.
If you are a beginning artist, or a consumer, don't let the reports scare you. An educated consumer is a smart consumer, and no one likes to be a sucker! Ask what is in the paste they are using! It's your right to know! Some vendors will put gasoline or turpentine in the paste as well as other toxins in an effort to make it darker. These are VERY harmful to the skin and you should think about smelling the paste before application as well if you're suspicious. PPD is the largest danger, but not the only one.
The use of this substance is now banned in Canada but other parts of the world are not so lucky.
Be careful of this hidden danger while traveling and don't become a victim. The USA and Mexico
as well as many countries overseas are still abusing this chemical and their clients. Many studies
have been done and I won't retype them here. You will find several links below. One is to The
Hennapage.com. The latest information can be found there. Please be warned some pictures are
very graphic. The other link regards the Canadian health warning and the list of numbers and
email addresses to report someone using 'black henna'.
Remember, henna is never black, has no smell or is chemical smelling. It SHOULD smell like a
combination of cut grass or hay and essential oils like lavendar and eucalyptus.
This substance has been spotted at certain festivals even here in Winnipeg, and they have
attempted to get around the law and confrontation by making unfortunate people sign a waiver.
These waivers are meaningless and are not legal. They are trying to convince you that you have
signed away any recourse if/when your health or skin is damaged. Please report any festival or
vendor using this toxic substance to Health Canada at the link below!
reports of a vendor using BROWN PPD in Winnipeg. Henna is never brown immediately after
paste removal!!
Often I am asked WHY someone would use the chemical when they know it can hurt someone.
Because it is cheap and easy. Real henna must be kept carefully and can be pricier in comparison
to the chemical which is cheap and easy to use requiring no skill. Sometimes they just don't know
any better and someone told them it was harmless.
