As mentioned in previous blogs, henna has spread and become a practice in many parts of the world. The interesting thing about this is the development of different henna designs as they spread through different cultures. Middle Eastern henna designs differ from South Asian designs, and then there are differences between types of henna that are used, for example the use of black or red henna.
So, let's begin by clearing some stuff up. Black henna is not actually related to the lawsonia inermis plant, from which organic natural henna is derived. Instead, black henna is often created using black hair dye, historically the kind that contains a damaging chemical known as PPD or para-Phenylenediamene. This chemical can cause burns when coming into contact with some people's skin.
There are a lot of issues with this.
First of all, black henna is the route that many people with darker skin take when they want to decorate their bodies with henna designs that are more clearly able to be seen.
Secondly, the cost of purchasing organic henna compared to that of chemical henna is quite a steep difference.
Although potentially unintentional, it is curious that the type of "henna" that allows people with darker skin to participate in beautifying themselves through henna has very harmful chemicals.
However, one could also argue that nobody is making people choose black henna over natural henna. Many henna artists argue that natural henna can and will show on darker skin.
I feel that there is an alternative that would work for everybody:
Jagua.
The Jagua fruit releases an extract that dyes the skin nearly black with a dark blue tint. Many henna artists combine Jagua extract with their natural henna to achieve darker stains in their work.
My issue with this is how expensive Jagua extract can be to purchase. However, I still need to learn more about why this extract costs so much to purchase before I will be able to fully understand the situation behind it.
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