Before you use that henna, read this

Hennas are popular in the northern part of the country, and they are mostly seen on brides during marriage ceremonies. It is also becoming popular among Muslim brides in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, some women just like it for beautification purposes.

However, a doctor is warning against the use of black hennas, as they contain para-phenylenediamine. While many women are not aware of this, @aproko_doctor gives us an insight into the difference between the harmful and the harmless hennas.

Natural henna will give a brownish-orange color to the skin when applied (red henna), but the colour usually darkens to brown eventually The longer henna is in contact with your skin, the darker the color will be, other things can be added to give different shades like lemon oil

Pure Henna in itself will cause weak allergic reactions in a small number of people. But when you add PPD, PPD is so powerful and toxic that it is illegal to use it on the skin. PPD is used in hair dyes also. But when you add it directly to the skin, it can cause burns

Not everybody will have this reaction to black henna, but if you do, it can be really painful! The reactions can start as soon as 2 days but the effects are lasting for life. Some may not have this reaction at all. But that’s not where it stops

You run the risk of getting sensitized to the black Henna, what does it mean? It means that if you ever get exposed again, you may develop a life threatening reaction to it. There is the case of a woman who died from a reaction to hair dye she had used before

What do you do? Natural Henna is never black If it’s black, please avoid. If you have ever had a reaction to black Henna, no matter how little, avoid using hair dyes that contain p-Phenylenediamine or Toluene-2,5-diamine. If you have a reaction, see a doctor immediately