What is Black Henna?
Black Henna is not henna at all but rather a paste containing potentially deadly chemicals and dyes. The main “bad” ingredient is PPD (Para-phenylenediamine). Please read more on Black Henna and the potential dangers by clicking on link to the left. Here in Canada, our government has passed legislation to make PPD black henna illegal, due to the dangers and have defined natural, safe henna as legal. Yay Canada! If you are unsure of the contents of the henna paste to be applied, ask the artist if they do not know what is in it Run Away!
There is no such thing as Black Henna. Henna is a natural dye that stains the skin various shades of oranges, through browns & burgundies. There are traditional darkening methods used in North Africa and the Middle East to turn henna black. These methods usually include ammonia, which will darken the shade of henna, sometimes a black colour can even be achieved, but the techniques only have an effect on henna stains on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. However it is not recommended as it isn’t a very nice substance to go putting on your skin, it smells awful and its results are limited (i.e. only parts of the hands & feet) and unreliable at best.
