Lifestyle Desk – Applying Mehndi is an important part of Indian culture and festivals. Be it a wedding, festival or any special occasion, applying mehndi on hands is liked by many people including women. While different designs of mehndi are made to make hands beautiful, some people also apply mehndi on the nails. Due to this, the color of the nails also changes and they look attractive. But the question is, is it safe to apply mehndi on nails? Can this cause any harm to the nails? Let us know about it in detail.
What happens when you apply henna on nails?
Natural henna i.e. pure henna is generally not considered harmful for nails. Nails are made of keratin and the color of henna gets applied to their upper surface. Therefore, after applying henna, the color of the nails may appear orange, red or brown. This color gradually comes forward as the nail grows and after some time goes away with cutting or growing.
However, it would not be right to claim that applying henna makes the nails stronger or healthier. That is, if someone thinks that applying henna will increase the growth of nails or make them stronger, then there is not enough scientific evidence for this.
The real danger is from the chemicals mixed in mehndi.
The biggest concern of dermatologists is not about natural henna, but about the chemicals added to it. Some so-called 'black henna' available in the market may contain chemicals like paraphenylenediamine (PPD). It can cause problems like allergy, irritation, redness, itching or swelling in some people. If this henna is applied on the nails and the skin around it, then the risk of reaction can increase in sensitive people. Therefore, the quality of mehendi should not be judged just by looking at its color.
Should mehndi be applied on nails or not?
If the henna is completely natural and of good quality, applying it occasionally on the nails is usually not considered a problem. But if the nails are already weak, broken or there is any kind of problem in the surrounding skin, then it is better to avoid applying henna. Before applying henna, also ensure that there are no cuts or wounds around the nails. If you feel any kind of irritation, itching or redness, clean the henna immediately.
Pay special attention to these things
Always use reliable and natural henna for applying mehendi on nails. Be wary of 'black henna' or henna whose ingredients are not clearly stated. If you are using it for the first time, it is better to do a patch test on a small part of the skin.
