Beware of Black Henna Tattoos. There’s a sting in the tail for hair dye users.

There a sting in the tail of black henna tattoos and hair dye allergy.

Don’t forget to educate your clients on the dangers of black henna this summer.

If there’s one piece of advice you can give to your colour clients, it’s to avoid black henna tattoos at all costs, they carry a sting in their tail 🦂.

The topic of black henna tattoos might not be top of your list when talking to your clients about their holiday, but anyone having their hair dyed following a black henna tattoo could pose a higher risk to having an allergic reaction to their colour.

Black henna is illegal in the UK, the reason being because it often contains exceptionally high levels of PPD. Whilst PPD is also a key component in hair dyes, this is completely legal and it is strictly regulated to a safe level. Watch this BBC programme.

Consultant toxicologist David Basketter is one of the UK’s leading voices of authority in toxicology. “In the UK we still follow EU Legislation which states that the maximum concentration of PPD in hair colour must not exceed 2%. These levels are safe and approved for their intended purpose,” he says.

However, black henna tattoos are another matter altogether, with the biggest concern being the levels of PPD that they contain.

For Professional Information only: Black Henna was cited in a ‘Prevention of future deaths report’ from a Coroner’s inquest into a tragic hair colour allergy death.

The key information to share with your client is:

⚠ In the UK black henna tattoos are illegal, and outside the UK there’s confusion about what legislation they fall under.

⚠ The excessively high levels of PPD in black henna is dangerous. Often, they are applied on the street or beach, and you will have no idea of the levels of PPD being used.

⚠ As with all toxicology, the higher the concentration, the greater the risk. As hairdressers are well aware, there is a strong link between over-exposing the body to PPD and allergic reactions.

⚠ Most people who have these black henna tattoos will have no idea of the PPD levels they’ve encountered.

⚠ Whilst some people may have a reaction immediately, or after a few days or weeks. Black henna tattoos are designed to last a few weeks or months, but your client might not have a reaction for 10 years or more.