title: Quantification of p-phenylenediamine and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone in henna tattoos.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Very few studies are available in which the components of henna products used by tattoo artists have been analysed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to quantify the amounts of lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, the active ingredient in henna) and p-phenylenediamine (PPD) in products used by tattoo artists and in commercial henna preparations used as hair dyes or to create temporary tattoos.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used high-performance liquid chromatography to detect and quantify lawsone and PPD concentrations in three products used by henna tattoo artists, 11 commercially available henna preparations, and a batch of henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The henna leaves contained 1.85-1.87% lawsone. Only one of the three preparations used by tattoo artists contained lawsone (0.21-0.35%), and all three were adulterated with PPD (1-64%). Of the 11 commercial henna preparations analysed, nine contained lawsone (1-2%) and two contained PPD (2% and 12%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Products purporting to be henna, but that in fact contain no henna, are being offered. Moreover, these products may contain PPD, which is associated with health risks, especially severe allergic reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 35016, Spain. pjalmmar75@gmail.com
authors.forename: Pablo J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Leopoldo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borrego
authors.forename: Elisenda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pulido-Melián
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: González-Díaz
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D006202:Hair Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D031564:Lawsonia Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000032:analysis*; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000032:analysis*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D013030:Spain; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013909:Thorax
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D006202:Hair Dyes; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D010655:Phenylenediamines; C005090:lawsone; C029728:4-phenylenediamine