Temporary Black Henna Tattoos Linked to Adverse Skin Allergies: FDA

Many people consider henna tattoos that are temporary and natural as a safe way to experience the thrill of getting a tattoo without worrying about pain. But the latest finding will make you ponder twice before exploring this temporary form of body art.

The latest warning from the Food and Drug Administration states that many temporary tattoos, including black henna tattoos, are not necessarily safe, as they cause adverse skin allergies.

"Just because a tattoo is temporary it doesn't mean that it is risk free," Linda Katz, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, said in a press statement.

Cases of serious and long-lasting reactions have been reported by consumers to MedWatch, the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting program. The adverse skin reactions they suffered ranged from redness to blisters, loss of pigmentation, raised red weeping lesions, increased sensitivity to sunlight and permanent scarring. Reactions occurred either immediately after getting the tattoo done, or 2-3 weeks after getting the tattoo.  

Henna is a reddish-brown coloring that is made from a flowering plant that is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. It was used since the Bronze period to dye skin, hair, leather silk and wool. It is used as mehendi to decorate the skin. In the present time, "black henna" has replaced the traditional henna.

Black henna is harmful because of the extra ingredient, a coal-tar hair dye containing p-phenylenediamine that is added to give it a dark color.

A 5-year-old girl developed skin allergies two weeks after getting a black henna tattoo done. Her parents said in a press statement, "What we thought would be a little harmless fun ended up becoming more like a nightmare for us," the father says. "My hope is that by telling people about our experience, I can help prevent this from happening to some other unsuspecting kids and parents."