Can henna tattoos give you skin cancer?

The main ingredient in henna is hydroxynaphthaquinone which is obtained from leaves of the Lawsonia tree. Hydroxynaphthaquinone alone is not carcinogenic, but when combined with para-phenylenediamine (PPD) the mixture has been documented as causing problems. PPD is a synthetic dye used to accelerate the drying time of the henna mixture, darkens the overall tattoo and allows for more precise, detailed images.The chemical has been documented to cause severe blisters, skin rashes and scars. In 1979 the US National Cancer Institute labeled PPD as a possible carcinogen due to a high incidence of liver cancer in workers at PPD production plants. Not all henna artists or henna kits use dye with PPD, if the resulting tattoo is an intense dark black and lasts for more than several weeks, it likely contains the undesired ingredient. In other words, check if the henna contains this ingredient, and if it doesn't you are good to go! ;)

There has never been any proven documentation of Henna with or without PPD to cause cancer. Yes, there is high risk of allergic reactions to the henna extract. And if you have ever tested positive for TB you will have a VERY bad Henna experience. When you get a TB test what they inject under your skin is a very small amount of PPD and if there is an adverse reaction it is a sign of TB being present. Therefore someone that has tested positive for TB anytime in the past should not get any Henna work.

Is there a chance of Henna inks causing cancer? I am sure there is. Heck, they now say you can get cancer from eating apples. So anything is possible when cancer is concerned.

I'd like to add to what Orchid said that combining PPD with henna is ILLEGAL in the US and the henna you buy from reputable sources should be just fine. Don't trust it if it comes in a suspicious package (like, a bag of stuff not professionally sealed) labeled "black henna", and don't have it done on vacation in other countries where it may be legal.

I don't think so.

I had one and never got it

= )

Not that I have ever heard.

i highly doubt it.

yes,i think all tatoos give you cancer

no