Black henna tattoos on holiday: what to know first.

Henna and “black henna”

Henna is a plant dye. On its own it stains the skin brown, orange-brown or reddish-brown, so a paste that turns the skin very dark or black has had something added. According to the US FDA, that extra ingredient is often a hair dye containing PPD. But brown is no guarantee either: the FDA notes that even brown shades sold as henna may contain other ingredients to make them darker or make the stain last longer.

Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is clear that henna “tattoos” are not tattoos at all but a form of body painting: the colour is painted on and reacts only in the upper layer of the skin. They also fall under different rules from tattoo ink.

Why PPD is the problem

PPD is a known contact allergen that can trigger strong allergic reactions. In the EU, its use in henna tattoos is banned under the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, and PPD may be used only in hair-dye products. In the US, the FDA does not permit PPD in cosmetics intended for the skin, and it has received reports of skin injuries from products sold as henna and as “black henna”.

And as the BfR points out, you can't tell by looking whether a body paint contains PPD.

What a reaction looks like, and when

A reaction does not always show straight away: strong reactions often appear only days later. Photos published by the FDA show redness and bumps that follow the lines of the design. If your skin reacts to a henna painting, see a doctor and tell them about the henna.

After a reaction: hair dye and PPD

The NHS says that having had a black henna tattoo can make you more likely to react to hair dye, and advises avoiding products that contain PPD, especially if you have ever reacted to hair dye or black henna. Germany's BfR warns that people who have become sensitised to PPD can stay allergic to it for life, which also matters for some dark textiles and leather goods.

If you have reacted, your doctor can refer you to a dermatologist for patch testing, which shows which substances you are allergic to.

Children and family holidays

At festivals and street markets, there is hardly any way to check what is in a paste. The Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office puts it simply: if you have any doubt that the colours are free of PPD, it is better to do without. Austria's public health portal advises avoiding henna tattoos, because on holiday you are rarely told whether PPD has been added. It also suggests talking to children about the risks and setting an example yourself — there are other holiday souvenirs that are just as much fun.

Henna is not a trial run for a real tattoo

Henna paint colours only the surface of the skin, so it is no preview of how a permanent tattoo will look — and with black henna, the trial itself carries a risk. If you want to see a design on your body before you commit, start with a consultation: where appropriate, the studio can prepare a placement preview.

Tattoo Ink Side is a tattoo and piercing studio. If you have ever reacted to black henna, hair dye or anything else on your skin, tell the studio before you plan your tattoo. For the questions worth asking about permanent ink and hygiene, see tattoo ink safety and how to choose a safe tattoo studio.

General information, not medical advice. Your artist's instructions come first; for anything worrying, see a doctor.