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Henna tattoos could increase leukaemia risk
Fans of natural skin care should consider avoiding henna temporary tattoos after the Daily Telegraph reported a link between henna and the incidence of leukaemia.
Scientists suspect it is not actually the henna causing the problem but the chemicals used as a solvent for the henna powder. Benzene, which is known to cause cancer, is banned for use in cosmetics but it is still widely employed overseas.
Ironically henna has become popular because it is seen as a natural product but by the time the solvents and other chemicals have been added to enhance the effect it can be quite dangerous.
Henna is most popular in the Middle East and also world wide on the backpacker trail. The study found that acute myeloid leukaemia was 93 per cent more common in Emirati women than Emirati men, and 63 per cent higher than in expatriate women. Normally, its incidence is higher in men.
A spokesman for the UK Department of Business said the use of benzene as a solvent was banned for all consumer products in Britain, and in particular for use in cosmetics, under European directives.
Posted by Sarah Smith
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