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[Updated November 2025] Recent findings confirm these warnings remain critically important. Scientific reviews in 2024 found PPD concentrations in black henna tattoos reaching up to 30%—five times the legal limit for hair dyes—and the FDA renewed its consumer warnings in October 2024 after continued reports of allergic reactions and chemical burns.
Late Summer is a season of carnivals, festivals, and open-air malls — all venues where thousands of young people receive popular black henna tattoos each year. While popular opinion holds that the brushed-on tattoos must be safer than traditional needle-and-ink versions, that isn’t necessarily the case. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) receives many reports each year of adverse reactions to henna tattoos, many of which are attributed to exposure to p-phenylenediamine (also known as PPD), a dangerous black dye used to produce henna ink.
According to experts, each exposure to PPD re-challenges the immune system, so each time a person gets a black henna tattoo, there is an increased risk of having an adverse reaction. Many people are sensitized to PPD, but don’t have a reaction to it. However, each time a person is exposed to black henna, his or her risk of developing a lifelong allergy to PPD increases.
Some people become sensitized to PPD from just one exposure and can even develop an allergy that can cause lifelong reactions to certain medications.
Recent research has identified an alarming concern: PPD concentrations in black henna products have been found at levels up to 30%, significantly higher than the 6% maximum permitted in hair dyes. One study found a black henna mixture containing 15.7% PPD, more than twice the legal hair-dye limit. These high concentrations pose serious health hazards and increase the risk of severe allergic reactions, including permanent scarring.
“What about ‘decal’-type temporary tattoos?
Temporary tattoos, such as those applied with a moistened cotton pad, fade several days after application. Many contain color additives approved for cosmetic use on the skin. However, the FDA has received reports of allergic reactions to some temporary tattoos.
An import alert is in effect for several foreign-made temporary tattoos. According to the Office of Cosmetics and Colors, the temporary tattoos subject to the import alert are not allowed into the United States because they don’t have the required ingredient declaration on the label or they contain colors not permitted for use in cosmetics applied to the skin.
What about henna, or mehndi?
Henna, a plant-based coloring, is approved only for use as a hair dye, not for direct application to the skin, as in the body-decorating process known as mehndi. This unapproved use of a color additive makes these products adulterated and therefore illegal. An import alert is in effect for henna intended for use on the skin. The FDA has received reports of skin injuries from products marketed as henna.
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’ and ‘blue henna.’ So-called ‘black henna’ may contain the ‘coal tar’ color p-phenylenediamine, also known as PPD. This ingredient may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. The only legal use of PPD in cosmetics is as a hair dye. It is not approved for direct application to the skin. Even brown shades of products marketed as henna may contain other ingredients intended to make them darker or make the stain last longer.
In addition to color additives, these skin-decorating products may contain other ingredients, such as solvents.
How do I know what’s in a temporary tattoo or henna/mehndi product?
Cosmetics, including temporary skin-staining products that are sold on a retail basis to consumers, must have their ingredients listed on the label. Without such an ingredient declaration, they are considered misbranded and are illegal in interstate commerce. FDA requires the ingredient declaration under the authority of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA).
Because the FPLA does not apply to cosmetic samples and products used exclusively by professionals–for example, for application at a salon, or a booth at a fair or boardwalk–the requirement for an ingredient declaration does not apply to these products.
Does the FDA approve color additives?
By law, except for coal tar colors used in hair dyes, color additives used in cosmetics must be approved by the FDA for their intended uses. Some may not be used unless the FDA has certified in its own labs that the composition of each batch meets the regulatory requirements. Cosmetics–including temporary tattoo products–that do not comply with restrictions on color additives are considered adulterated and are illegal in interstate commerce.
Does the FDA approve other cosmetic ingredients?
Except for color additives, the FDA does not have the authority to approve cosmetic products or ingredients. However, the use of several substances in cosmetics is prohibited or restricted due to safety concerns. However, if the safety of the product or its ingredients has not been substantiated, the product is misbranded–and therefore illegal in interstate commerce–if it does not have this warning on the label:
‘Warning-The safety of this product has not been determined.’
How do I report an adverse reaction to a temporary tattoo or other cosmetic?
FDA encourages consumers to report any adverse reactions to cosmetics either to their nearest FDA district office or to FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors. Here’s how:
Despite FDA warnings dating back to 1938 prohibiting PPD in skin products, most U.S. states still have no regulations governing temporary tattoo artists at festivals, boardwalks, and resort venues. In December 2024, a cosmetic ingredient review panel formally concluded that PPD is unsafe for temporary tattoos, yet no national age restrictions or vendor licensing requirements exist to protect consumers, particularly children who are frequent recipients of these tattoos during summer vacations.
Black henna tattoo injuries may give rise to legal claims against tattoo vendors, festival operators, or product manufacturers. If you or your child has suffered an allergic reaction, scarring, or other injury from a temporary tattoo containing PPD, our product liability lawyers can help you understand your rights and potential compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and permanent scarring.
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