Are Henna Tattoos Really Safe for Your Skin?

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Medical Video: Black Henna Tattoos Can Cause Allergic Reaction

For people who want to decorate their skin with beautiful pictures but are still hesitant or don't want to get a permanent tattoo, henna tattoos can be the solution. Henna is often used as a way to paint the bride's body in a variety of traditional ceremonies for thousands of years. Henna tattoos are so far considered safe because they are temporary. However, is it really safe when viewed from the medical side?

Is it safe for henna tattoos for your skin?

Henna tattoos are made from Henna leaves which are dried and crushed into dry powder. When it will be used as an "ink" to paint the body, the henna powder must be diluted first with a little water until it becomes a paste. The natural color produced by henna is brown, brownish orange, or reddish brown. There are also some henna products that are marketed in green, yellow, black, or blue.

But even though the use of henna is very popular for skin tattoos, henna can actually only be used as a hair dye. Not to be applied directly to the skin of the body. This is because henna risks causing an allergic reaction to the skin. The FDA, the National Food and Drug Administration in the United States reported that some people experienced serious skin allergic reactions after using henna. They complain of reddish blisters to injury, fading skin color, scarring, and becoming more sensitive to the sun.

The FDA suspects that this is due to the fact that most henna products may be added to other chemicals during the production process so that the resulting color becomes more intense and long-lasting on the skin. Chemical substances commonly added to henna are coal-tar dyes containing p-phenylenediamine (PPD). This PPD can cause dangerous skin reactions in some people.

Safe tips before using a henna tattoo

So far, the safety of using henna as a temporary skin tattoo is still confusing. Both the FDA in the United States and BPOM in Indonesia themselves do not strictly regulate the distribution of henna because they are classified as cosmetics and supplementation, not medical drugs.

So it's best before you plan to paint skin with a henna tattoo, try testing a little on the skin first. This suggestion was also agreed upon by Dr. Laksmi Duarsa, SpKK, when talking with Detik Health.

The trick, apply a little henna paste in the area of ​​the skin that is closed, for example the inner arm, then wait for 2-3 hours to dry. If there isn't the slightest reaction on the skin, such as itching or redness, then you can continue to use the henna tattoo extensively on the skin.

Conversely, if there are unusual sensations after 3 hours of testing, that means you don't fit using henna. Stop using immediately and rinse thoroughly with running water and soap.

It's safe, choose henna products that are truly guaranteed natural and quality. Don't be easily tempted by cheap product prices and cheap tattoo artist services. Even though everything that's cheap isn't always bad, you still have to be careful.

People with G6PD deficiency, don't use henna tattoos

Henna tattoos can be dangerous for people who have G6PD deficiency. This is a condition where the body does not have enough of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme, which helps the function of red blood cells. G6PD deficiency is a genetic condition that is inherited from one or both parents. This condition is most common in men.

Often, people with G6PD deficiency do not know if they have it because this condition does not cause any symptoms until red blood cells are exposed to certain triggers. For some people, the use of henna tattoos can be the trigger, resulting in various medical complications.

Are Henna Tattoos Really Safe for Your Skin?
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