Henna in its pure form is greenish in color and when applied to the skin it leaves a stain; sometimes light brown sometimes reddish brown. In an effort to make realistic looking, modern day, temporary tattoo, the manufactures of heena powder and paste add black colors, thus creating black henna. Black henna is henna with a black dye added and is widely used for tattoo and hair coloring.

Black heena is advertised as a fun, temporary decoration that, because of its dark stain, looks like a real tattoo. It is supposed to last for one to three weeks and are widely used by people who are a regular visitors to swanky fairs, festivals, beaches, concerts and clubs. Apart from tattoo, black henna that are free from chemical ingredients, gives natural shining to the hairs. It dispels heat, cures neurosis and has a soothing effect, giving coppery, carrot-red shade to the hair.

Black henna made of p-phenylenediamine (PPD), may cause serious skin inflammation. Thus, before having a black henna tattoo, its content must be thoroughly checked. Some black henna uses food coloring that does not pose a risk to skin.