DANGER !!!!!!!! The Seaweed Shack in Seaside Florida used a Toxic chemical for my daughters henna tattoo. 3 of my girls now have massive scars. Hennas are supposed to be red / brown, not black! The Black dye has a chemical known as PPD.
Now that my kids have had this allergic reaction to PPD I need to have allergy test to see if theywill have a reaction from having their hair dyed, or using PABA based sunscreens, using "Sulfa"antibiotics or use most cosmetics, they may also not have perscriptions ending in "-caine". Tough consequenses for getting a vacation tattoo!
Replies
16Beach Lover
The hennas they paint in PCBeach are black also. Not seen any red/or brown ones.
But i did have a problem with one particular jerk that painted my daughter and she was allergic also. her skin burned like it was on fire. I am not sure if your child was just allergic to the dye or they did something wrong. My case was i didnt think my child would be allergic and allowed her to be tatoo'd with the Henna. One of my girls did fine, while the other went nuts with stinging and burning IMMEDIATELY.
I hope you child is ok.
But i did have a problem with one particular jerk that painted my daughter and she was allergic also. her skin burned like it was on fire. I am not sure if your child was just allergic to the dye or they did something wrong. My case was i didnt think my child would be allergic and allowed her to be tatoo'd with the Henna. One of my girls did fine, while the other went nuts with stinging and burning IMMEDIATELY.
I hope you child is ok.
Beach Fanatic
Thanks for posting that warning.
Never would have thought of that, and I am sure my kids will ask while there. Hope all goes well for your three.
Beach Fanatic
Yes, thanks for posting the warning. Is the henna tattoo just painted on or is it a real tattoo (with needles) that is supposed to be permanent?
Beach Fanatic
Health Department urges caution with black henna tattoos
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007
PINELLAS COUNTY ? The health department urges residents and visitors to be aware of the risks involved with temporary black henna tattoos.
There have been reports of allergic reactions and injuries, including permanent scarring of the skin, from these tattoos that are popular with children, teens and vacationers who want to enjoy a ?temporary? tattoo. So far, there have been no reports of tattoo-related injuries or allergic reactions in Pinellas.
Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved for use as a hair dye only ? not for direct application to the skin. Since henna typically produces a brown, orange-brown or reddish-brown tint, other ingredients must be added to produce other colors ? such as those marketed as black henna.
So-called ?black henna? may contain the coal tar p-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD. The only legal use of PPD in cosmetics is as a hair dye.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, henna is not approved for direct application to the skin, and the unapproved use of the color additive makes this product adulterated ? and therefore illegal. This ingredient may cause mild to serious allergic reactions in some individuals who have a temporary ?black henna? tattoo applied to the skin.
For more information, contact the health department?s Environmental Health Division at 507-4336.
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007
Copyright ? Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved.
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007
PINELLAS COUNTY ? The health department urges residents and visitors to be aware of the risks involved with temporary black henna tattoos.
There have been reports of allergic reactions and injuries, including permanent scarring of the skin, from these tattoos that are popular with children, teens and vacationers who want to enjoy a ?temporary? tattoo. So far, there have been no reports of tattoo-related injuries or allergic reactions in Pinellas.
Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved for use as a hair dye only ? not for direct application to the skin. Since henna typically produces a brown, orange-brown or reddish-brown tint, other ingredients must be added to produce other colors ? such as those marketed as black henna.
So-called ?black henna? may contain the coal tar p-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD. The only legal use of PPD in cosmetics is as a hair dye.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, henna is not approved for direct application to the skin, and the unapproved use of the color additive makes this product adulterated ? and therefore illegal. This ingredient may cause mild to serious allergic reactions in some individuals who have a temporary ?black henna? tattoo applied to the skin.
For more information, contact the health department?s Environmental Health Division at 507-4336.
Article published on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007
Copyright ? Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved.
Beach Fanatic
For Immediate Release CONTACT: Lindsay Hodges
August 18, 2003 850-245-4111
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WARNS PUBLIC OF POTENTIAL FOR SKIN DAMAGE CAUSED BY IMPROPER USE OF HENNA IN TEMPORARY TATTOOS
TALLAHASSEE -- Hoping to prevent additional cases of skin-damaging reactions to henna tattoos, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) is advising Florida residents and visitors of risks associated with having them applied.
Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved for use as a hair dye only and not for direct application to the skin, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
DOH?s warning is further substantiated by an import alert issued by the FDA for several foreign-made temporary tattoos that contain unapproved color additives. This alert is currently being enforced at ports of entry throughout the United States.
?We want to ensure that Floridians are aware of the potential dangers associated with this type of tattoo and can make informed decisions for themselves and for their families,? said DOH Secretary John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A.
Some henna tattoos that are being marketed in the US contain a product called p-phenylenediamine (PPD). A petroleum derivative, this dye can be added to the paste used in temporary tattoos to produce a darker shaded image known as a ?black henna tattoo?. When applied to the skin, this ingredient may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, such as intense itching, redness of the skin, swelling and scarring at the tattoo site.
All cosmetics, including skin-staining products that are sold in the retail market must have their ingredients listed on the label, based upon guidelines under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.
Floridians and visitors to Florida are urged to consider potential risks before having any type of tattoo applied to their skin. Persons who experience any adverse skin reactions to a tattoo should seek immediate medical attention. Incidences should also be reported to the local health department to assist state officials in tracking unanticipated problems from tattoos.
This alert is not associated with ?decal? type tattoos that are applied to the skin with a moistened cotton ball. This type of tattoo fades several days after application.
Additional information on tattoos may be obtained at DOH?s website at www.doh.state.fl.us. FDA?s website is located at www.fda.gov. Consumers can also contact FDA?s Office of Cosmetics and Colors at 1-202-401-9725.
August 18, 2003 850-245-4111
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WARNS PUBLIC OF POTENTIAL FOR SKIN DAMAGE CAUSED BY IMPROPER USE OF HENNA IN TEMPORARY TATTOOS
TALLAHASSEE -- Hoping to prevent additional cases of skin-damaging reactions to henna tattoos, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) is advising Florida residents and visitors of risks associated with having them applied.
Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved for use as a hair dye only and not for direct application to the skin, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
DOH?s warning is further substantiated by an import alert issued by the FDA for several foreign-made temporary tattoos that contain unapproved color additives. This alert is currently being enforced at ports of entry throughout the United States.
?We want to ensure that Floridians are aware of the potential dangers associated with this type of tattoo and can make informed decisions for themselves and for their families,? said DOH Secretary John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A.
Some henna tattoos that are being marketed in the US contain a product called p-phenylenediamine (PPD). A petroleum derivative, this dye can be added to the paste used in temporary tattoos to produce a darker shaded image known as a ?black henna tattoo?. When applied to the skin, this ingredient may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, such as intense itching, redness of the skin, swelling and scarring at the tattoo site.
All cosmetics, including skin-staining products that are sold in the retail market must have their ingredients listed on the label, based upon guidelines under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.
Floridians and visitors to Florida are urged to consider potential risks before having any type of tattoo applied to their skin. Persons who experience any adverse skin reactions to a tattoo should seek immediate medical attention. Incidences should also be reported to the local health department to assist state officials in tracking unanticipated problems from tattoos.
This alert is not associated with ?decal? type tattoos that are applied to the skin with a moistened cotton ball. This type of tattoo fades several days after application.
Additional information on tattoos may be obtained at DOH?s website at www.doh.state.fl.us. FDA?s website is located at www.fda.gov. Consumers can also contact FDA?s Office of Cosmetics and Colors at 1-202-401-9725.
beats on hood
Boo! I was thinking about getting a SoWal tattoo.
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
Boo! I was thinking about getting a SoWal tattoo.
Because of this, you might want to get a "real" one BR.
3girls...I hope your girls will be ok!!!!!
Edited
SoWal Expert
Thanks for the posts, BeachBimmer. Wow! Why do you suppose there so many places to get black henna tatts, if the black henna is illegal? Are there just not enough reported incidents? Maybe in the cases with the Seaweed Shack, being that the incidents are reported on this message board, we are just more aware of the allergic reactions, and the cases of allergic reactions from other businesses doing black hennas are just not making it to the news. 
I'm really kind of bummed out about the black henna allergic reactions, because I thought this seemed like a cool thing to do for everyone who wanted one. As I mentioned, the Seaweed Shack owners told me that they were no longer doing the black henna. It sounds as though the only allergic reactions are produced from the black dye, but has anyone else heard of allergic reactions from the brown/red henna?

I'm really kind of bummed out about the black henna allergic reactions, because I thought this seemed like a cool thing to do for everyone who wanted one. As I mentioned, the Seaweed Shack owners told me that they were no longer doing the black henna. It sounds as though the only allergic reactions are produced from the black dye, but has anyone else heard of allergic reactions from the brown/red henna?
beats on hood
Because of this, you might want to get a "real" one BR.No, I don't think so. The only permanent tattoo I would consider would be the cursive Gators logo.
3girls...I hope your girls will be ok!!!!!
It looks like if it's pure henna, reactions are rare, according to http://dermatology.cdlib.org/91/original/henna/wolf.html. The problem is, as a couple of websites say, how do you know what is in the dye being applied by the person doing your tattoo? Apparently there's no FDA stamp of approval on these products.
Beach Fanatic
Thanks for the posts, BeachBimmer. Wow! Why do you suppose there so many places to get black henna tatts, if the black henna is illegal?
SJ, I don't know the answer. In nearby Bay County where Panama City Beach is located, the Health Department sent a letter earlier this year to business owners that do henna tattoos strongly urging them to refrain from using Black Henna entirely.
Many have complied, but I hear there are still a few holdouts up there...
I don't believe Walton County has issued any such warning...
SoWal Expert
With the Black Henna in the recent "news," my friend showed me her hand last night, which had bubbled up like many small fireant bites. She had been stamped at Club La Vela in PCB for entry into the club. She didn't know what brand or type of ink had been used. It was black ink of some sort, though, and she obviously had an allergic reaction to it. Makes me wonder about Sharpie brand black markers, and other inks. It isn't just black henna which seems to be causing reactions.
Beach Fanatic
With the Black Henna in the recent "news," my friend showed me her hand last night, which had bubbled up like many small fireant bites. She had been stamped at Club La Vela in PCB for entry into the club. She didn't know what brand or type of ink had been used. It was black ink of some sort, though, and she obviously had an allergic reaction to it. Makes me wonder about Sharpie brand black markers, and other inks. It isn't just black henna which seems to be causing reactions.
Or she could have touched something inside the club... Sorry couldn't resist :leaving:
Beach Fanatic
I got an allergic reaction at the RedBar but I keep going back. Can I sue for a too strong of a margarita!!!!View attachment 5632
SoWal Expert
Or she could have touched something inside the club... Sorry couldn't resist :leaving:
I did tell her that her first problem was that she went to Club La Vela.Beach Crab
I want to let everyone know that I use to do henna tattoos on Clearwater Beach. They are red or dark brown. They do NOT cause reactions to you're skin! "Black" henna tattoos are not real henna. It's permanent black hair color. Self employed beach tattoo artists use black hair because it last longer, abd creates the illusion of real henna. HENNA also cost $65 for real RED or BROWN henna. If they bought this then they wouldn't be able to sell many because of the price. Real henna is safe. People who live in Indiana have been practicing this for generations. They use henna for celebrating births, marriages, and other events. There is nothing in henna that will cause a reaction . The health department clearly allows this for hair color which we all know hair color gets onto the scalp and hands. The basis for the "henna is bad" is because of the added black hair dye. I hate to say this but unless you're allergic to the planet, and henna is a plant, the health department and the USDA are ignorant in this. If an entire culture and myself use this and nothing has happened, then clearly someone didn't really do their job.
As a reminder I am speaking about RED or BROWN real henna not BLACK HENNA
As a reminder I am speaking about RED or BROWN real henna not BLACK HENNA
SWGB
Congrats on settling an argument over 7 years old.
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