A mother has issued a strong caution to vacationers and parents following her daughter’s burn injuries from a holiday, which may result in permanent scars. The Australian woman shared a warning about temporary henna tattoos while vacationing in Bali, Indonesia, after her daughter had a negative reaction post a mini-break on the popular tourist island. She posted images of her daughter’s temporary henna tattoo before and after, mentioning that it was done at a beach.
“My daughter returned with what she believed was a henna tattoo,” the mother shared on the Australian Bali Info for Traveling Facebook page. “Around one week later, the dye had almost completely faded.”
She disclosed photos of her daughter’s henna tattoo, showing a shiny, black, intricate design initially. Seven days later, the pictures revealed faded skin with stinging, itchy sensations and pink welts.
“She is now undergoing a steroid cream treatment on the fourth day and is gradually recovering,” the mother stated, expressing concerns from doctors that the temporary tattoo could result in a permanent scar on her hand. She reflected on advising against purchasing counterfeit perfumes and makeup due to unknown ingredients but regretted not including temporary tattoos and henna on the list.
In contrast to natural henna, which is orange or brown and meant not to stain the skin, black henna includes a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD). PPD is a harmful chemical added to darken temporary tattoos, expedite drying, and prolong their longevity. Black henna with PPD can trigger severe allergic reactions, permanent scarring, blistering, and long-term sensitization to hair dyes and other substances, as shared by concerned members in the group recounting their distressing experiences.
Approximately 300,000 British tourists visit Bali annually, with the UK ranking among the top source markets for the Indonesian island. In 2024, the UK was listed among the top five countries for visitors, recording around 295,326 arrivals.
Opt for Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for immediate access to the news that matters to you.