Tattoo Inks: Temporary Tattoo May Turn Into Scar

Posted on October 13, 2008
Filed Under Before You Decide, Curious Tattoo Facts, Extreme Tattoos

The real tattoos are the privilege of the grown-ups, but the kids desperately want some too. And I think the best existing solution is a henna tattoo. It looks great, lasts for about a week and rather easy to remove. But is it safe? Here is what I have found out about henna tattoos:

Henna is a green powdered extract from the leaves of Law sonia alba. The plant is indigenous to North Africa, the Middle East, and India. In many Eastern and Middle Eastern countries, henna has long been used as a cosmetic dye on the skin, hair, and nails. Some cultures utilize henna as a folk remedy as well.

Henna skin painting plays an important role in various religious and cultural ceremonies. Its use can be traced back at least 5000 years. Natural henna imparts a brownish-orange pigment to the skin when applied. A variety of oils, powders, and dyes are often added to henna to obtain various colors. Pure henna alone is a relatively safe product, and reported allergic reactions are rare. Natural henna can take several hours to dry and fix to the skin and the pigmentation is not permanent.

Looks like it’s pretty safe, but here are some facts:

A 6-year-old boy developed a skin eruption 10 days after application of a temporary tattoo. The eruption was a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to the tattoo ink.

Vinnie England, three, was holidaying in Benidorm with his family when he got the two-and-a-half inch image of the spiky-haired cartoon character on his right arm at a henna tattoo shack. Just days after returning home, Vinnie, from Southmead, Bristol, complained that his arm was hurting and the temporary image soon began to redden and blister.

It turned out that both kids had so-called “black henna” applied on their skin. Black henna is a mixture of para-phenylenediamine (PPD) based black hair dye and henna. It is originally done in an effort to get something that would quickly make jet black temporary body art. PPD can cause severe allergic reactions, with blistering, intense itching, permanent scarring, and permanent chemical sensitivities. Estimates of allergic reactions range between 3% and 15%. Henna does not cause these injuries. The scientists say henna boosted with PPD can cause lifelong health damage.

You should always remember that henna is never black! And if someone proposes your child a black henna tattoo he must be immediately reported, because according to the United States Food and Drug Administration PPD is strictly forbidden! And always remember:

if a paste stains torso skin black in less than half an hour, it has PPD in it, and little or no henna.
if the paste is mixed with peroxide, or if peroxide is wiped over the design to bring out the color, it has PPD in it, and little or no henna.

Protect your children from pain and scars simply by making sure they do not have black henna applied on their skin.

Comments

4 Responses to “Tattoo Inks: Temporary Tattoo May Turn Into Scar”

Wei Liang on October 14th, 2008 3:34 am

It looks cool to put on the tattoo but it pays to remove the “cool” on your body. I wouldn’t remove the tattoo if I ever put one on my body. Thanks for the share.

Wei Liang
Jerry @ Hostmonster Secret Revealed on October 14th, 2008 5:57 am

I’m not sure if the tatoo guy I met in Phuket is using black henna or not. But the last time I had this type of temporary tatoo, it left a severe burn mark on my neck (the place where tatoo is drew) for months.

It’s probably the last time I ever try these.
henna tattoos on November 7th, 2008 6:47 am

i dont think so it causes any kinda scars
admin on November 10th, 2008 9:15 am

if you use BLACK henna it actually CAN cause scarring..