Think that temporary tattoos are safe? Think again. Every year there are cases, usually underage minors who cannot be legally tattooed, who get the shock of their young lives. Not to mention skin damage that Ajax won’t take off.
Now I’m not talking about the cute stick on tattoos for kids here, neither am I speaking of the painted on tattoos such as the Temptu brand of semi permanent body paints that Hollywood uses on actors. Believe it, or not, I’m talking about Henna tattoos.
Let me be clear here, this is not natural henna, but a harmful product called Black Henna. Black Henna is a powder that is laced with PPD, a very toxic chemical known to cause allergic reactions. This product is not supposed to be used for anything but hair dye according to the Food and Drug Administration. This hasn’t stopped vendors in several Malls and vacation spots from deliberately harming kids by offering it as a way to make the temp tattoo look like the real thing.
The reason is that Black Henna leaves a deep black stain instead of the usual orange/brown colored stain derived from natural henna.
Henna paste, in its natural state, is made from a natural substance derived from a plant. there is nothing in henna powder that can cause irritation or allergic reactions. Black Henna is made by adding paraphenylenediamine, or PPD to the henna powder. This is a chemical that contains a compound that is derived from phenylenediamine, which is a toxic substance. It was never meant to come in contact with skin for long periods of time and even the hair dye can be dangerous to those with an allergy to PPD.
In January of 2007, two lawsuits were filed against a distributor of black henna after children were scarred by receiving Black Henna tattoos while on vacation. The PPD burned and blistered their skin so badly that the children have been permanently scarred. Black Henna is simply not a safe substitute for tattooing.
Now I know that Temptu and similar body paints don’t last as long as a henna tattoo does, but if you are dead set on having a “real” looking tattoo, please do not allow anyone to talk you into a Black Henna.
Even better, wait until you are old enough, or you have parental permission to be legaly tattooed. The sad truth is, only a real tattoo looks like a real tattoo.