Stay away from the black henna!

[kerewin21 2]

I read this article in one of the medical journals this week and the New York Times picked it up:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/12/health/1...tml?ref=science

[Ban Hammer 13,498]

:blink: :blink: blisters from this stuff!

[Nasturtium 500]

Yes, I had heard black henna was very harmful abd dangerous and sometimes contains no actual henna at all! My dh abhors henna, so it's not a problem for me as I just never get it in any color!

[Imua 0]

Isn't black henna meant specifically for hair? I could see how it could burn skin if you leave it on for hours seeing that it has artificial chemicals in it - I don't think there is such a thing as 100% natural black henna.

[polarbear 0]

Isn't black henna meant specifically for hair? I could see how it could burn skin if you leave it on for hours seeing that it has artificial chemicals in it - I don't think there is such a thing as 100% natural black henna.

I've had black henna done before - actually in Mexico I was a stupid 19yr old..... it didn't have any bad side effects but stayed on about 3 days while on the beach and in the ocean... now I know why

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I had it done too in Egypt and it faded pretty fast. I didn't know what it was at the time because I'd done the other henna's that are more natural. Waleed was upset that it didn't stay on longer and said that he is glad her bargained to get it down to the local price from the tourist price because it would have been such a rip off.

[Badrs Love 0]

I've had black henna done and it lasted the same amount of time my henna done in Morocco lasts.

I did just notice on that picture Charles, look at her thumb nail. It looks like it's stained from henna and the growth is long but yet her blisters look so new. Unless it's from a previous henna application and the person that recently did her henna job was careful and kept her nails clean. Just an observation.

[Henia 11]

But these days the all natural hennas are now mixed with other chemicals and the black henna ... so I would be cautious with them all!

[*JG* 2]

I was wondering about the hair henna too.

[Linguere 0]

I have used henna for years on a consistent basis and never had any problems. I use only the red henna that is in powder form from Africa that I buy and mix myself. My husband is now here and doesn't love it, so I have not done it since May. I read a long time ago that black henna could be harmful and so I never used it. If you just do two applications of the red henna it does turn black anyway. Those blisters looked so painful!!

[Henia 11]

But how can one tell which is 100% natural red henna and which has additives? I know the real red henna is good - just the additives which are bad! I even read somewhere it causes cancer. True or not I am not sure but eye opening! http://www.thecancerblog.com/2006/04/03/he...y-cause-cancer/

[kerewin21 2]

The red henna is fine, it's a natural dye. The article in the medical journal reported several cases like this, all from black henna that has chemical additives (called PPD). The cancer connection is based on increased incidence of cancer in people who work manufacturing this chemical... I wouldn't draw a conclusion that the black henna itself causes cancer.

[Nasturtium 500]

Interesting! I hadn't heard much about adding stuff to red henna but it isn't surprising. I guess te only way to be sure would be to know your source completely.. or grow and manufacture your own henna. Like i said, though, DH hates it so not an issue with me!