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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Henna Tattoo Safety: No Black Henna!

It's summer time and that means henna tattoos! ...at the beach, on vacation, at festivals, everywhere!

Let's talk about henna safety. You may have heard about people with allergic reactions, burns, and/or scars from a henna tattoo. Those are not from pure natural henna. Those misfortunes come from so-called "black henna". Allergies to natural henna are EXTREMELY rare.

Henna is not black!

Do not allow anyone to put henna on you if the stain is going to be black!

The color of natural henna varies and can be a deep burgundy brown, coffee brown, rich maroon-ish, or any shade of orange or brown. The color of your actual henna tattoo will depend on a number of factors including, how fresh the henna is and what it is mixed with, how the skin was prepared before applying the henna, how long the moist henna was in contact with the skin, what part of the body was hennaed, and how the dried henna was removed.

Henna needs to stay on a good while (much longer than an hour) for a deep long lasting stain. The length the stain will stay depends on your body chemistry, how long the henna is left on, if a sealant was used, your body temperature, and how well the henna tattoo is cared for. A typical natural henna tattoo will last 5 days to 3 weeks.

To protect yourself from fake, black "henna" ask your henna artist these questions...
  • What color will the henna stain be?
    If the answer is black or anything other than what is described above, do not allow that substance to be applied to your body and seep into your bloodsteam.
  • May I see a list of your ingredients?
    Check the list for additives you either don't recognize or that you may be allergic to.
  • How long does the paste need to stay on the skin.
    If the answer is less than an hour, there is likely and additive in the henna that shouldn't be there.
There are many real henna artists around. Find a reputable artist that mixes their own henna and get a henna tattoo from them. You will be safe, you will get a better quality henna tattoo, and you will enjoy it more!

If you are local to Orlando check out list of local Orlando Henna Artists here.

You can also do your own henna using a complete henna starter kit geared towards beginners.  If you just want henna to do a couple of times try a fun & easy henna kit for less than $15.  Heck even with shipping it's less than $20!

Have fun this summer! Get many henna tattoos! Be SAFE!
Jody

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