Eid-ul-Fitr is near, and its preparations are also going on vigorously. Along with clothes and jewelry, bangles and henna are also an integral part of women’s preparations.
Mehndi application is regularly organized especially on moon night. Women may have already booked appointments to decorate their skin with henna.
Mehndi is an art form based on beautiful patterns and designs, which has been a part of this joyous celebration for centuries.
However, dermatologists warn that the synthetic chemicals found in modern henna styles, especially black and white henna, can pose serious risks to your skin.
What is white and black henna?
Real henna is orange or brown, not black or white.
Most black henna is made with a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which can be found in hair dyes.
PPD is a common chemical in hair dyes, but its concentration is usually less than 3% and warnings are given not to allow it to touch the scalp.
However, the PPD content in some black and white henna depends on the brand and can range between 10 and 40 percent.
According to Khaleej Times, doctors say that PPD in high concentrations when applied to the skin can cause redness, swelling, cracking, painful chemical burns and even scarring.
Dermatologists caution that some reactions may take months to heal, while the tattoo’s shape may never completely disappear from a person’s skin.
In contrast, natural henna is extracted from a plant called Lawsonia inermus. When it is applied to the skin, it gives a red color, which lasts for four or five days, with no harmful effects.
However, artificial henna lasts for more than a week.
Meanwhile, white henna has gained popularity among women, but it is not completely risk-free.
Although white henna does not stain the skin and is considered safer than black henna due to the absence of PPD, dermatologists warn that white henna is not natural.
White henna is made using synthetic chemicals, which may not be as safe as natural henna.
Natural henna has always been a safe method and does not harm the skin.