ISLAMABAD - A number of mehndi (henna) brands being sold in markets contain toxic substances that can cause instant allergic reactions to the skin, The Nation has learnt.
With the forthcoming Eid festival, the sale of black and other mehndi brands has increased manifolds. An analysis of various popular mehndi brands revealed that the black and chemical mehndi contains p-phenylenediamine (PPD) substance, which can colour the skin quickly but can cause allergic reactions and scarring. Health practitioners consider the chemical mehndi harmful for the skin. Physicians advise people to use natural mehndi to protect the skin.
Dermatologist Dr Ikram Khan talking to The Nation said, "With the use of chemically prepared black mehndi, a person's skin can have severe reaction which can lead to permanent allergy. The person can have future allergic reactions to perfumes, sunscreen and some other medications."
"Over the years, skin infections due to chemical mehndi have increased. Artificial mehndi can leave permanent marks on the skin. It is better to use natural or plain mehndi to avoid any skin infection," said Dr Ahsaan.
The shopkeepers and stall owners selling black chemical mehndi express their satisfaction over the product and say it is simply a way to get quick results.
"This new mehndi is an extension of the old mehndi and these cone sticks have colour darkeners in them and nothing else," said a busy stall keeper in a Rawalpindi market.
The art of temporary tattooing hands and feet is not new but traces back to the ancient times. Artificially prepared mehndi continues to be sold in different parts of the garrison city.
"Whether it is Eid or some wedding ceremony, I use quick colouring cone stick because its results are very good," said Aimen, a shopper.
"The colour of simple mehndi differs. Sometimes the colour is dark and sometimes the colour doesn't appear at all. So I use the black mehndi because its colour appears very dark," said Maria, another shopper.
Black mehndi is also being used by beauty parlours to get quick results. This mehndi is applied directly on hands and there is no need of removing or washing hands after it.
Aqeel, a mehndi designer in a parlour in Rawalpindi, said, "it is a special mehndi in which some chemical is mixed that sticks with the skin and gives dark black look."