Holidaymakers Warned About the Dangers of Black Henna Tattoos

Teenage holidaymakers are being urged to take care after a young woman was left badly burned by a temporary black henna tattoo.

Mary Bates, 16, of St Albans, Hertfordshire, had a 'black henna' tattoo of a dream catcher on her ankle whilst on holiday in Turkey but what she didn't know was that the ink contained a chemical called paraphenylenediamine, or PPD for short. When she went to get a touch up, the affected area began to seep and swell.

Miss Bates, who was referred to the specialist burns service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, said:

"Bits of my skin were coming off, it was just disgusting as it looked like open flesh.

"The burns doctors said it was the worst 'black henna' injury they had ever seen."

Mary, who was an aspiring model, has been told that she cannot dye her hair due to the risk of a severe allergic reaction from the chemicals she was exposed to in the ink and must use sun protection for at least two years.

If you've been injured after receiving a beauty treatment or tattoo, both temporary and permanent, contact our injury solicitors on 0845 603 0708 for advice.

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