The following information is just to make you aware of things you need to bear in mind when assessing products, and not to scare you off.

PREPARING THE SKIN : -

Pure mehndi / henna powder has been in use for thousands of years and is hardly ever known to cause allergic reactions. However, as with all products, which are, applied to the skin, if you are uncertain, or know that you have very sensitive skin, you should perform a skin test.

It is important to be aware that pure mehndi / henna can only produce an orange / red / brown sort of color. To avoid confusion, please note that the dry mehndi / henna powder is usually greenish in color.

There are reports that sifting mehndi / henna regularly over a long period of time can lead to health problems due to ingesting the henna powder. To be on the safe side, wear a mask if you sift a lot of mehndi / henna.

COLORED MEHNDI / HENNA : -

Today, so-called colored mehndi / hennas rely on ingredients other than mehndi / henna to achieve their color. This is not to say that they don't contain mehndi / henna. Indeed, often mehndi / henna is the primary ingredient. However, in order to achieve their particular color, additional colored ingredient must be present and it is which are usually responsible for the bulk of the color effect. It is for this reason that some people object to the use of the word mehndi / henna in relation to such products.

There is ample evidence that some of these ingredients can cause allergic reaction in some people. This is not that surprising. Some of these ingredients are the same as those used in hair dyes. The crucial point here is that people are different. It is no good one person saying that they didn't get a reaction, therefore a product is safe for everyone. Conversely, if one person gets a reaction, it doesn't necessarily mean that the product in question should be banned.

So, if you are not sure about a particular product, ask the supplier for more information. And do be aware that, like any dye, both natural mehndi / henna, and the various colored products can be a very effective job of staining your clothing, furniture or whatever else they come into contact with whilst damp.

KNOWN BLACK HENNA PROBLEMS: -

The very first thing is that there is no such thing as black henna. Mehndi / henna is crushed leaves of the henna plant and gives an orange through brown stain. Any product that calls itself black henna is using an ingredient other than henna to achieve its color.

If you have just suffered a black henna burn, please take yourself straight to a doctor. Don't just hope it will go away.

Some known black henna products do contain PPD, or p-Phenylenediamine to give it its full name. Found in many black hair dyes, this compound is known to cause chemical burns in some cases. PPD is not the only ingredient used to make cases. PPD is not the only ingredient used to make black henna. Some preparations are based in indigo, a plant material.

The message here is not "Don't ever use Black Henna", but don't expect to be able to use any old black henna product without risking running into serious problems. Do a bit of research, understand what it is you are getting into, and do the skin test.

ESSENTIAL OILS: -

Another aspect of mehndi / henna application to be aware of is the frequent use of essential oils for skin preparation - they help to open up the skin, improving the color and longevity. All essential oils are supplied with a warning saying they should not be applied to the skin undiluted. Now, it is true that some people ignore this warning and experience no ill effects, but others do get unpleasant skin reactions. So, if you are going to use an essential oil, do be sure to dilute it with carrier oil. Carrier oils can be obtained from anywhere that sells massage oils. Or just use olive oil. Dilution should be a drop or two of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.

OTHER INGREDIENTS: -

Some recipes recommend the use of nailpolish remover, turpentine, lighter fluid, acetone, etc. in the mehndi / henna mix, again as a means of opening up the skin. Please bear in mind that all of these substances carry warning labels saying they should be washed off your skin immediately in case of accidental contact, so deliberately applying these substances to your skin in the mehndi / henna mix is clearly a bad move.

SKIN TESTS: -

Use the mix you actually intend to apply.Put a small amount on a sensitive area that is out of sight, such as behind the knee or the ear, or on your inner arm above the sleeve line. Leave on for the time you intend to leave the real thing on, unless you experience itching in which case remove immediately. Then monitor the region over the next 2 to 3 days, checking for a reaction. If in doubt, consult your physician before doing the skin test, particularly if you know that you are more than usually susceptible to allergic reactions. After all, It's your body - treat it with care!