Henna—called “Mehndi” in India—holds a special place in bridal hands. Henna is a powder made from a leaf called “Lawsonia Inermis.” It is traditionally used for body art/tattoos and hair dye due to its staining/dyeing properties.
Besides its place in wedding ceremonies, natural henna has also been used as herbal medicine for a long time due to its antifungal, antipyretic, and antibacterial properties.
But henna also has side effects varying from cutaneous to systemic effects, depending on the type of henna used.
Based on the color obtained after staining, it’s sold as two types in the market: ‘red henna’ and ‘black henna.’
RED HENNA
- available in a grey-green color and stains to a rusty-red color.
- takes longer to dry and stain [2-12 hrs]
- generally safer
- Serious risk in children with G6PD deficiency—leading to Hemolysis
BLACK HENNA
- Red henna is adulterated with an ingredient called PPD [p-Phenylenediamine].
- It stains black after drying.
- It dries and stains faster in less than 30 mins, making it a trendy choice.
- PPD present in it has long-term side effects.
The most commonly reported side effects of black henna include:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Type-1 Hypersensitivity reaction
- permanent scarring
- chemical burns
- permanent allergy to PPD
- systemic toxicity
Although black henna tattoos are trending aomng youngsters, due to their quick drying and staining, they come with serious health consequences and are also banned in some countries.
So, use henna with caution; a patch test is recommended, and don’t fall for trends.
MBH/PS