title: Identification and quantification of para-phenylenediamine in a temporary black henna tattoo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Temporary black henna tattoos are very popular as body adornment. Although contact allergy to natural henna is unusual, the inclusion of hair dye, p-phenylenediamine (PPD), increases the risk of contact sensitization.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to identify the presence and concentration of PPD in a black henna tattoo mixture to which our patient developed contact allergy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence of PPD in a black henna tattoo mixture, various samples of commercially available henna powders, and several hair dye products was qualitatively and quantitatively detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrated that PPD was present in the black henna tattoo mixture at a concentration of 15.7%, which is significantly higher than commercial hair dye preparations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of PPD in black henna tattoo mixtures in high concentration poses a health hazard and a risk of allergic contact sensitization with potential long-term consequences.
authors.affiliation: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Brancaccio
authors.forename: Lance H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Young Tae
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Joshua P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fogelman
authors.forename: Erick A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mafong
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D001415:Back; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010328:Patch Tests; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D010655:Phenylenediamines; C005090:lawsone; C029728:4-phenylenediamine