Did you know this about henna?

[teachinmamaof4]

I'm getting ready to add a page to my doula site about belly henna. I came across this at Wikipedia.

source

Quote:

The United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved henna for direct application to the skin. It is unconditionally approved as a hair dye, and can only be imported for that purpose. [10] Henna imported into the USA which appears to be for use as body art is subject to seizure, and at present it is illegal to use henna for body art in the U.S.,[11] though prosecution is rare.

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-tatt.html

http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia5319.html

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Elrd/cf732190.html

Quote:

(c) Uses and restrictions. The color additive henna may be safely used for coloring hair only. It may not be used for coloring the eyelashes or eyebrows, or generally in the area of the eye.

Watch out for the laaawwwwww......

[1stimestar]

Uh yes I did know that. Anyone doing henna for profit or doing pregnant clients should know the rules, regulations, chemistry, contraindications, etc. about henna.

[ScootchsMom]

I knew it, I only henna my self right now, so I don't worry about it.

[missilla]

where can I find all the rules and regulations. i would like to add it one day to my services but I want to know all the rules

[1stimestar]

http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/index.html

[teachinmamaof4]

So how do people get away doing henna at festivals, selling it online, etc.?

[jesscardona]

Hmmm.. that's funny.. b/c when I was in Miami last month, they were doing a lot of henna's and temp tattoo's like outside the mall, and inside the mall.. very nice too.. and I didn't see that going on before, and I go to miami a lot..

[DoulaKaren]

You know, I'm glad to know this! It's been on my list to research learning about henna but I don't know if it would occur to me to research this aspect of it!

[1stimestar]

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/cos-tatt.html


In the USA, the FDA currently does not approve henna for use as body art, though it has unrestricted use for hair. Thus far, this has only been enforced through customs seizures of henna that has unlisted ingredients, henna that appears to be for body art, and pre-made pastes. Pure henna labeled "henna for hair" is rarely, if ever, seized in customs.

[1stimestar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesscardona Hmmm.. that's funny.. b/c when I was in Miami last month, they were doing a lot of henna's and temp tattoo's like outside the mall, and inside the mall.. very nice too.. and I didn't see that going on before, and I go to miami a lot..

The problems come from places like this that often use black henna. Before using any henna from places like these, or anywhere, ask for an ingredient list, talk to the "artist" and see if it is someone who is educated in henna, use, chemistry, contraindications, etc.

[Flavia]

I am so happy to see this discussion.
We are constantly educating people about the dangers of using strange chemicals and fake dangerous illegal black stuff as henna.
We also only use Bulgarian wild crafted lavender oil on sensitive, or pregnant customers and in our pregnancy kits.
I can't imagine why anyone would use dangerous products on a woman who is pregnant.

[b'earth angel]

I find this most amusing considering that tatoo ink, the permanent kind, is not regulated by the FDA and most ingredients are kept secret. Among those ingredients that you'll find w/a quick search are some pretty disgusting and genuinely toxic things that should never be placed under someone's skin, IMO. The gov't should be worried about black henna for sure, but if they are going to crack down on regular henna, they should start taking a look at the tatoo industry first!

[earthgirl]

Well, how about the cosmetics industry! Let's just put toxins in baby shampoo...the gov't doesn't regulate.

[b'earth angel]

I couldn't agree more Stacie! No J&J stuff in this house at all!