Where to find Henna.

Aug 14, 2015

Aliyah A.

I live in Mississauga Canada (30 minutes away from Toronto) Do you know any stores where I could find Henna.

Aug 14, 2015

Qwaserght T.

I know lush has henna for you hair but I dunno about henna for your skin.

Aug 14, 2015

Sadie G.

I'm not sure about Canada, but in the states you can but Henna tattoo kits at the local craft store or Walmart even

Aug 14, 2015

Melissa K.

micheals

Aug 14, 2015

ramie x.

Look for indian or pakistani stores. Most halal meat and grocery stores have them!

Aug 15, 2015

Alyx T.

Michael's or any other craft store.
I wouldn't go to an Indian store just because you have to find safe henna and at least in Alberta there's quite a long list of Indian and pakistani stores selling black henna, which is dangerous to the skin and overall health. The kits at michaels will be medically safe.

Aug 15, 2015

Haley R.

Bruh I went to Hershey park this weekend and they had henna everywhere.

Aug 15, 2015

Natalie A.

Alyx is correct- get something FDA approved and make sure that is is Brown Henna. Black henna, or black jenga actually burns the skin and leaves a scar where the tattoo was. Think of it like putting your henna design in Nair and leaving it on for two days. Burns galore. It's not fun and doesn't look cute after its done.

Aug 15, 2015

Alyx T.

So basically any black henna is dangerous, it usually contains PPD, which is a black pigment they used to use in hair dye, and can cause burns and permanent health issues. It has been linked to damage skin, kidneys and livers, and cause birth defects. They don't use it in hair dye anymore, and salons that do (because it's blackest of black) must go through looong and specific training to use it, and if they get any on the scalp or skin of the mannequin, they cannot use it. PPD is not always the only bad thing about non fda approved henna though, so I thought I'd include this page's advice, they also have incredibly gross and graphic images of what peoples reactions were to many of these ingredients. But if you Google black henna the first few links are a Canadian health and safety warning, a states one and a bunch of "look at these graphic pictures of wounds from black henna" pages.



"Henna is NOT black. If someone offers you something called "Black Henna", it is NOT henna. If someone has something that stains skin black, it is NOT henna. The black dye is probably para-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD, and that can hurt you.

PPD, or para-phenylenediamine is a snythetic coal tar dye, and causes severe reactions in some people. Want to see pictures of how miserable this is?
See: http://www.hennapage.com/henna/ppd/ppdburngallery.html

Sensitization to PPD is life-long and has ruined some people's health. See: http://www.hennapage.com/henna/ppd/wilson.html

The International Chemical Safety Card for PPD gives a clear indication of how dangerous it can be and how utterly inappropriate it is for skin application.

If your "Black Henna" tattoo is starting to itch and blister GO TO A DOCTOR! NOW!
See: http://www.hennapage.com/henna/ppd/gotodoctor.html

How do you know if what you see is "PPD Black Henna"?

PPD paste is jet black.
Ask how long it takes to stain and how long it lasts. If the answers are "just an hour or two" and "a week or more", it's PPD.
Ask what colour it will give. If the answer is "pure black", it's PPD.
Ask to see an ingredients list. If the artist can't supply one, or you don't like what you see, walk away.
PPD is not the only ingredient used to make black henna. There are also other chemical dyes in use, but none of them stains as fast or as black, or lasts as long as PPD. Some of these dyes may be safe, some may not. Ask to see an ingredient list. If you're not comfortable with what you see, don't use it.
Don't do a skin test with PPD "black henna". Your skin might not react to PPD the first time you use it. Since the reaction can take three weeks or more to show, or in some cases appears only after a second exposure, it is not safe to assume that a 24 hour skin test is going to tell you if you are sensitive. It will only make you more likely to develop a sensitivity. Just don't use it at all!

The International Chemical Safety Card recommends the wearing of protective gloves and protective clothing when handling PPD and warns "Exposure may result in death". Do you really want to put this stuff on your skin?

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If you've never used henna before, you may want to do a skin test to be sure you're not allergic. The allergy is called a "napthoquinone sensitivity". If you put henna on your skin, and in 1 hour have itching, a tight chest, or wheezing, you have a napthoquinone sensitivity and you should not ever use henna.

"Colored Henna":
Henna is NEVER blue, yellow, green, purple or black. If a product stains skin those colors, it is NOT henna. Those stains come from other dyes. Ask what dyes those are. If the supplier can't or won't tell you what dyes those are, and prove it, or you don't like the sound of what they tell you, don't put the stuff on your skin. Smell the product. If it smells scary, don't put it on your skin.

Essential Oils:
Artists often add essential oils such as Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Cajeput and others to henna paste to "terp" them, and make the stain quicker and darker. If these are from aromatherapy grade essential oils containing monoterpene alcohols, this is a safe and effective way to make henna very dark. Many of these give wonderful results, are fragrant and harmless. Some may cause minor skin irritation. See: http://www.hennapage.com/journal/issue_III/article_3/page1.html and http://www.mehandi.com/how/howmix/howmixi7.html for complete details on safe and effective use of essential oils that have high levels of monoterpene alcohols.

Gasoline, Kerosene, Lighter Fluid:
Some henna artists in India, Africa and Arabia use acetone, lighter fluid, turpentine, gasoline and dry cleaning fluid in their henna mixes to get near black stains. This is DANGEROUS! If you smell these solvents in henna paste, do not put it on your skin. If it's already on your skin, wash it off as quickly as you can.

Camphor:
Some Indian henna artists use camphor, or white flower oil (which includes camphor) in their henna to make very dark stains. Camphor may make both the artist and client nauseous, dizzy, intoxicated or very ill. Do not put camphor or products that include camphor in henna paste.

Citrus Oils:
Citrus oils can darken henna, but they can also leave itchy welts on the skin, or increase sun sensitivity. If henna paste smells like lemon peel or citronella, it may make you itchy.

Walnut powder:
Some people include walnut powder in their henna mix to help darken the stain. Many people are allergic to walnut and this may cause a rash on their skin. If they are very sensitive, there is a risk of inducing anaphalactic shock!. Always ask clients if they have a nut allergy before applying walnut powder paste to their skin. Or play safe and leave it out of the mix.

Black Kattam:
This is not henna. However, it is dark brown dye which contains ingredients that may cause skin irritation.

Black Rocks from the Nile and "Henna Stone":
Someone, somewhere, in the supply chain in the Middle East is selling a solid form of industrial grade PPD and is lying about what it is. There is no such thing as a black rock that will make henna black. There is no such thing as a "henna stone". These are lies told to gullible people by someone who wants to make a huge profit on PPD. If it's black, stains quickly and stays black for more than 4-5 days, its PPD, and it can hurt you!" - http://www.hennapage.com/henna/warnings.html