Henna Tattoos More Dangerous than Most People Realize. It contains chemicals that are unsafe for your skin.
Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved only for use as a hair dye, not for direct application to the skin, as in the body-decorating process known as mehndi. This unapproved use of a color additive makes these products adulterated and therefore illegal. An import alert is in effect for henna intended for use on the skin. FDA has received reports of injuries to the skin from products marketed as henna. Since henna typically produces a brown, orange-brown, or reddish-brown tint, other ingredients must be added to produce other colors, such as those marketed as 'black henna' and 'blue henna.' So-called 'black henna' may contain the 'coal tar' color p-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD. This ingredient may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Hair dye health risks aren’t limited to skin reactions and self-image issues–some very real dangers exist, including the chance of developing cancer.
