As Eid, the joyous festival marking the end of Ramadan, approaches, henna artists are raising concerns about the safety of imported henna products, urging for increased scrutiny.
The alarm follows a recent warning from Health Canada regarding a specific brand, Shakeel Bhai Mehndi Waley, distributed in red and yellow cone-shaped tubes reminiscent of the size of an iPhone. The public advisory, issued on March 28, urged consumers to immediately cease using the product and dispose of it in household garbage due to reported skin irritations caused by an undisclosed ingredient – phenol – prohibited in Canada.
“Products containing phenol pose a significant risk upon skin contact, potentially causing chemical burns, redness, blistering, and burning or stinging pain,” cautioned Health Canada.
This isn’t the first time the Shakeel Bhai Mehndi Waley brand has faced scrutiny, with previous recall notices dating back to 2017.
Tooba Sheikh, a henna artist based in Edmonton, welcomed the warning, highlighting the persistent issue of adverse reactions reported by users over the years. Sheikh emphasized the need for stricter regulation within the henna industry to prevent the importation of such hazardous products.
Meanwhile, as festival season approaches, where henna application is a cherished tradition, Sheikh stressed the importance of consumer awareness. “It is really important that you be asking these questions, ‘Is it natural?’ ‘What did you put in it?’ and ‘Did you make it yourself?'” she emphasized.
Sheikh, drawing on her seven years of professional experience, extolled the virtues of natural henna, created by crushing dried henna leaves into a powder and concocting a paste, typically olive green in hue. She explained that the intensity of the henna’s color depends on the duration it remains on the skin, likening it to the steeping process of tea.
In contrast, black henna, often termed instant henna, contains dyes and chemicals like phenol, leaving a dark stain immediately upon application, akin to regular dye. “That’s one thing that you should be asking whenever you’re getting henna done: ‘Did you make it yourself?'” Sheikh advised.
While some artists opt for trusted organic brands, like Ishita Sharma, who relies on a specific brand she used in India and now sources online in Canada, others continue to encounter chemical-laden alternatives, often leading to adverse reactions.
With Muslims in Edmonton gearing up to celebrate Eid on Tuesday, the cautionary tale surrounding henna product safety serves as a timely reminder for vigilance amidst the festivities.( Courtesy CBC)