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British Skin Foundation issues warning about black henna tattoos (24 August 2015)

Date: 24/08/2015
Duncan Lewis, Personal Injury Solicitors, British Skin Foundation issues warning about black henna tattoos

The British Skin Foundation has issued a warning about the dangers of henna tattoos and reactions some people may have to them.

Henna tattoos are popular among holidaymakers and also festivalgoers. However, the British Skin Foundation has reported an increase in the number of people at their clinics suffering a severe skin reaction to black henna temporary tattoos (BHTTs).

Dermotologists at the foundation say that the majority of BHTTs are not based on henna, but the chemical para-phenylenediamine (PPD) – found in hair dyes.

PPD is permitted for use in hair dye, but the European Union has banned its use for skin contact products, such as temporary tattoos.

Many holidaymakers have tattoos while travelling or holidaying in countries such as Egypt – however, the trend is becoming popular at festivals and events in the UK.

The British Skin Foundation is warning that PPD used on the skin may cause blistering and painful skin burns – and could leave a permanent scar. The chemical can also leave a person with a lifelong sensitivity to PPD, increasing the risk of a severe allergic reaction when using hair dyes.

In a survey, the British Skin Foundation found that four out of ten dermatologists had seen patients with allergic reactions to BHTTs – and one in 20 dermatologists surveyed said that more than 80% of the BHTT reactions seen were in children below the age of 16.

The survey also revealed that around 50% of patients had their black henna tattoo outside of the EU, where the legal status of PPD is not always clear.

However, 50% had had a BHTT within the EU – with 27% of these in the UK.

Around two-thirds of dermatologists surveyed also said they had seen an increase in patients with reactions to hair dyes, many of whom had previously had a BHTT.

The survey was undertaken at the annual meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists, with a total of 244 dermatologists questioned about BHTTs.

Consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesman, Dr Anjali Mahto, said:

“Black henna is well known to cause skin reactions and should be treated with caution, particularly in children.”

The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA) is backing the British Skin Foundation’s warning to consumers.

“The message is clear: having a ‘black henna’ temporary tattoo presents a significant risk of a very nasty adverse reaction to the tattoo itself – it also increases the risk of either not being able to use most hair dyes in the future or having a bad reaction to them if the warnings are ignored.

“This summer, parents will want to keep their children safe, by steering clear of so-called ‘black henna’ temporary tattoos.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Cosmetic Treatment Injury Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise on how to make a no win no fee claim in cases where consumer have suffered injury as a result of cosmetic treatments undergone in England and Wales which have gone wrong, including injuries as a result of:

• Anti-wrinkle treatments
• Cosmetic surgery
• Dental cosmetic surgery
• Electrolysis
• Fillers
• Gender re-assignment surgery
• Hair transplants
• Laser therapy
• Liposuction
• Piercings (eg infection)
• Tattoos.

Personal injury claims have to be made within three years of injury or diagnosis of injury – and children under the age of 18 can claim up to the age of 21.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Cosmetic Treatment Injury Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


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