The ICNHA staff receives many emails asking “Why should I be certified as a natural henna artist?” Even though it is not a Federal, State, or even Local law in the USA or another country, to be a certified henna artist doesn’t mean there is no benefit to you or your customers. Being certified shows that you have taken the time to learn your craft and the potential dangers involved. And we’re not just talking about PPD (Para-phenylenediamine) or so-called Black Henna. The dangers can extend to small children, pregnant women, and those with citrus allergies as well. Our members have taken the time to familiarize themselves with these dangers as well as the cultural significance of henna in other parts of the world.
If you were at a fair wanting to get a kosher hot dog you would expect the vendor to not only have their food service permit but know that ‘kosher’ means that the food has been prepared and cooked satisfying the requirements of Jewish law. Consequently, a henna booth claiming to sell black henna or natural henna but not able to name their ingredients is less desirable than a booth that can both name ALL the ingredients of their paste and show that they have studied hard to understand why it is safer not to use black henna.
