Henna Tattoos at Epcot

[Toystoryfan32]

I have heard that Epcot has Henna type tattoos and my DD11 would like to have one. We told her it would be fine until we saw a local news report last night. We live near Branson, MO a big travel destination in our area. A young girl who was visiting with her family got one of these tattoos. According to the news report the chemicals used caused permanent scarring. The poor thing had a crab on her arm and the scarring looked awful. They said the darker henna has a chemical called PPD that can cause severe allergic reactions that can lead to scarring. Has anyone else heard of this? Has anyone gotten a henna tattoo at Disney World, do they list the chemical ingredients they use?

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[Deb loves Disney]

My daughter got a Henna tatoo at Epcot (it's in the Morrocco section, small shop near the lagoon).
She has very sensitive skin and had no trouble with the tatoo. I don't know the ingredients in their Henna but it can't have anything too harsh because even face painting causes an allergic reaction to her skin.
The tatoo lasted a few weeks and she really loved it
Hope this helps!!!!

 

[lunalibre]

My local news did a report on a similar situation. Apparently there's the "authentic" henna tatoos, which are brown. A lot of people have problems with something that's typically called "black henna" tatoos. That means they've added some extra chemicals to the henna to darken it, and it was those chemicals that caused the scarring. The report made it sound like a traditional (brown) henna tatoo was probably fine, but you should avoid the ones that are black. I'm not sure I would even patronize a place that tried to sell black henna tatoos.

Disclaimer: I've never had a henna tatoo. I've thought about, though.

 

[Deb loves Disney]

I'm glad you mentioned the brown color!!!!
My daughter's henna tatoo she got at Epcot was Brown in color. It must be the authentic kind.

Plus, they have been offering these Henna tatoo's for years and if they were dangerous I don't think it would still be offered for purchase

It was a good experience and my daughter felt special after

 

[disnut8]

I've thought about getting a henna tattoo to (that sounds weird) but I think my husbadn would have a heart attack if I did. He doesn't even one of those stick on tattoos is a good idea. Just the world "tattoo" has him saying "no". But that's him.

Anyway, while I do't have 100% proof that the hennas Disney does are 100% safe, tehy wouldn't have an almost permanent tattoo artist set up in Morocco for most of the afternoon (I think the hours are 1-6?). That artist is always there every time we've been there. I'm sure they have a list of ingredients they use and are more than willing to talk about their craft and the safety factor.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I'm pretty sure the henna used in WDW is "authentic" henna. I get one every time we go, and my DD has gotten one the last two times with no problems. Our local amusement park does "henna" tattoos and they do not seem the same. They are darker brown and smell different, plus at the local place you need to come back and have them coat it with olive oil to preserve the color. The henna used at WDW doesn't need that. In fact, I still have mine on my ankle from WDW, and we got home 20 days ago. I wouldn't worry about it. The woman at WDW is a Moroccan woman (there are at least 2 different ladies I've had do mine there) and she wears the henna tattoos too. I'm pretty sure they are authentic.

FWIW, those "news" reports often use scare tactics and are usually aired when it's a slow news day. They are very sensational. Just because one person had an allergic reaction they should not cause a panic and make it seem like it's deadly. JMHO.

 

[PatsMom]

DD and I have gotten henna tatoos at Morocco. I don't recall seeing a list of ingredients but they were definitely light brown. It was lots of fun and we enjoyed them.

 

[brenda1966]

How much do the henna tatoos in Epcot cost? I didn't know they did this. Sounds fun.

 

[lyzziesmom]

How much do the henna tatoos in Epcot cost? I didn't know they did this. Sounds fun.

Anywhere from $10 or $15 up to about $35 or $40. Depends on the size and intricacy of the design. It's become a tradition for us to get one every time, it's so much fun! The lady is very quick, last time she had my DD's done before I was even finished paying. She will also touch it up for free if it gets smudged, smeared or faded during your stay.

 

[bulah1]

I'm sure the blend that Disney uses for their tattoos is completely safe. You are right that the black tattoos can cause damage, so be careful there. This is especially true if you are allergic to things like bee stings or such. Both the bee sting and black henna contain Para-phenylenediamine, which some people are just more sensitive to than others. On some black henna won't hurt you, but others it can be very dangerous. As long as you stick with the red powder henna or brown, you should be fine. It is a very mild plant and is used in many things you might not even realize. Most people have no reactions to it whatsoever. A very helpful link that you can learn just about anything you want to know on Henna http://www.hennapage.com/henna/

Here is a specific link to help you figure out what the artist is using:
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/ppd/whoisppd.html

There's also a non-traditional (at least for Morocco - it's more of a celtic background) henna type plant that creates an indigo dye. It's so beautiful, I've been able to do some work with it - but it's not typically found in most artists arsenals. Probably wouldn't be used at the Morocco pavillion.

Again, it's Disney... I'm sure their workers have the right information and knowledge to use safe materials. I would get one and enjoy it!! A well done henna tatt can last all the way up to two weeks. I'm not one for traditional tatts so I love using henna as my tastes change frequently. Plus - being a belly dancer I have learned the trade from some serious artists. If anyone has any questions about henna I'd love to help! It's so great, love it!!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

This sounds awesome, does anyone have any pics?

 

[Magickndm]

My daughter had this done in Morocco, I think it cost $35. It lasted 2 weeks at the most.

 

[DanMedix]

I got my tattoo in henna before I got it permanent. Any reputable henna artist in this country will use the safe stuff.

 

[I_Believe_In_Faries]

I had the black henna done on my when the "henna craze" had started. The first time i had gotten it doe, it just became red and bumpy. I got it done again and the entire tattoo was raised and i had a tribal sun scar on the back of my shoulder for a good year and a half. Went to disney and saw the brown henna and tried that. no scarring or anything. It is now a tradition to go get henna tattoos in Morocco everytime we go to disney

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Howdy, neighbor!

I saw the commercial for that news segment, but didn't end up watching it.

Some kinds of henna are safer for the skin than others- I'm sure Disney only uses the high quality, though.

 

[fairycat]

I am so glad that people are finally talking about this! I cringe everytime I see "black henna" being sold at fairs and events.

As it was already mentioned henna is from a plant source has been used for thousands of years to stain skin, nails and hair. It is considered safe and is approved for use on skin.

Black henna is not a set mixture and can have small amounts of actual henna or none at all. But what makes it black tends to be PPD from black hair dye. This is not safe for the skin and is just a bad idea. Many people have an allergy to this that causes reactions like red raised skin, welts, burns or scars.

The other scary thing is that even if you don't have a reaction at the time, exposure can make you sensitive and have future reactions to black dyes used for hair or clothing and other things.

The color is the difference and smell, if it smells earthy and has a greenish brown color that stains the skin anything from a darker brown to orange its real henna, if it looks black and smells chemically and leaves a dark black color on the skin, it is PPD.

blulah1 gave a great link with lots of good information. I am very happy to see that Disney is smart and is using the traditional Henna. It greats a a beautiful look that is so much fun. I love my henna designs and can't wait to get one when I am at the park!

 

[Mish19]

I love getting henna tattoos at Disney World. I even let the artist pick whatever design she wanted last time I went and I think I will let her pick next week too!

 

[Colleen27]

I doubt Disney henna would cause any problems, because they aren't the kind of company to fudge the formula or use anything that is likely to be problematic, even if only for the most sensitive. They're too image-aware a company for that, I think. And IIRC, the black henna isn't authentic/traditional, so it wouldn't fit in with Epcot's theme of cultural accuracy.

We get henna tattoos every year at the Renaissance Festival, and the kids like them so much that I bought a do-it-yourself henna kit that I use sometimes too. In about 20 years of getting them myself, I've never had any sort of reaction, and felt perfectly comfortable letting my kids get their first henna tattoos as soon as they were old enough to want to (DS was 3.5 for his first, DD was barely 2 because she saw DS getting his).

I didn't know they do them in Epcot, but now that I do, I've just added it as another "can't miss" for our trip! A good henna artist can do really beautiful things, and unlike the face painting that I also shell out for at Ren Fest and Disney, it lasts long enough for them to show it off to their friends!

 

[Toystoryfan32]

Howdy, neighbor!

I saw the commercial for that news segment, but didn't end up watching it.

Some kinds of henna are safer for the skin than others- I'm sure Disney only uses the high quality, though.

Howdy back neighbor! Its nice to see another Disney fan so close to us. The news segment made them seem pretty dangerous, but they did get the type that used the black colored Henna. Thanks for all the great info on the Henna everyone. I feel much more comfortable letting my daughter get one now.

Me DH DD11 DD5

 

[Tigger i luv DISNEY]

I would love to get one of these on my trip next July...

I would also love to see some more pictures... if you have them.

Do you have to treat it specially once you have it... or can you just shower and everything normally???

LISA