So let's talk about henna safety. This is one of the most important questions you can ask your henna artist BEFORE you get your design. I suggest asking regardless of where you are getting henna done; be it a local festival, an event, and even in a shop. If they don't (or won't) tell you what is in it, I would not get a design from them.
"Well I asked one time, but they told me it was a secret."
That was a response I received from a client at a festival I was working. If you get that type of answer they likely do not know what is in it, and do not want to tell you that. Or worse, they do know they are using a chemical product, and do not want to tell you.
Unfortunately, the premade, mass-produced "henna" cones available through many online retailers, and on shelves in stores, are not real henna, may not even contain any real henna, and certainly contain a variety of chemicals, and/or dyes to make it stain. Some of the possible additives in the chemical henna cones include: gasoline, kerosene and PPD (p-phenylenediamine or paraphenylenediamine). Henna is also NEVER black!
How do I know that those aren't real henna cones? Henna is not a shelf stable product; it cannot sit out for weeks, months, or longer and still stain; yet those cones do just that. They sit in trucks, in warehouses, and on shelves for extended periods of time, until someone brings it home.
What to look for:
Chemical "henna" cones smell... well like chemicals. Natural henna smells earthy and like the essential oils used for the batch.
Chemical "henna' cones look like they were made in a factory. Natural henna is typically put into hand rolled cellophane cones. *Note: Not all henna artists use henna cones, some use bottle applicators.
Using these types of cones could result in a lot of nasty issues, ranging from allergic reactions, blisters, permanent scarring, even organ damage, or cancer. Click here if you want to see some reaction examples. Even if you "didn't have a reaction" last time, that does not mean that it is not doing damage you cannot see, and repeated exposure can make it worse.
Henna is a natural product and will degrade over time, most artists keep the cones in the freezer after it is made, and between uses, to ensure a quality stain.
Real henna paste ingredients are not a secret:
Henna powder - Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a plant whose leaves are harvested, dried and powdered.
a liquid - water, lemon juice, apple juice, tea, or coffee are possible options
essential oil(s) - Lavender & cajaput may be used the most frequently, but are not the only options.
a sugar - white sugar, brown sugar, sugar in the raw, fructose, & molasses are just a few examples
If you want to order trusted, premade cones, order directly from an artist who will be able to tell you what is in the paste, when they were made, and if you are not local, will typically ship overnight, and/or ship frozen to your door to ensure the paste is fresh when you receive it.
I mix, cone, and test every batch of henna; which means I know every ingredient I am putting on your body, and mine.
If I can answer any additional questions you may have, please reach out to me.
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