Abstract
Henna is very popular in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); it is part of the culture and traditions. Allergy to natural henna is not usual; however the addition of para-phenylenediamine (PPD) to the natural henna increases the risk of allergic contact dermatitis. The objectives of the study were to identify the presence and concentration of PPD in henna available in UAE. Fifteen henna salons were selected randomly from three cities in UAE. Twenty five henna samples were acquired from these selected salons. The presence of PPD in henna samples was determined qualitatively and quantitatively using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The study showed that PPD was present in all of the black henna samples at concentrations ranging between 0.4% and 29.5% and higher than that recommended for hair dyes in most of the black henna samples. The presence of PPD in the black henna increases the risk of allergic contact dermatitis among users of black henna and a number of cases have already been reported in UAE.
Highlights
Henna or hina (Lawsonia inermis, family Lythraceae) is a flowering plant or shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, and Southern Asia
Henna paste is prepared by drying the henna leaves and grinding them to powder, and this powder is mixed with oil or water to form the paste
The study shows that the samples of black henna bought from the henna salons included in this study contained high concentration of para-phenylenediamine, and this increases the risk of sensitization among those using black henna
Summary
Henna or hina (Lawsonia inermis, family Lythraceae) is a flowering plant or shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, and Southern Asia. Henna contains a burgundy dye molecule, lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone). This dye molecule has the ability to bond with proteins, and has been widely used in body art to dye skin, hair and fingernails, and to dye silk, leather, and wool. Henna paste is prepared by drying the henna leaves and grinding them to powder, and this powder is mixed with oil or water to form the paste When this henna paste is applied to the skin the dye (lawsone) migrates from the paste to the outermost layer of the skin; more lawsone will migrate if the paste is left on the skin for a longer time, creating a red-brown stain [1]
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