Alert over the holiday tattoos that can burn and scar for life

 
Sophie Goodchild17 June 2013

Britons are putting themselves at risk of scarring, blistering and lifelong allergies by having so-called temporary tattoos applied while on holiday abroad, experts said today.

The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association is urging people to avoid salons or anyone else that offers “black henna” tattoos.

Research by the association reveals that one in 10 Britons has been tattooed, and that in 57 per cent of cases it was done abroad. However, the industry body, whose members include manufacturers and suppliers of ingredients used in cosmetics, said the dye used in black henna tattoos is unsafe if painted directly on to the skin.

Dr Emma Meredith, head of scientific and technical services, said true black henna does not exist. The vegetable dye is naturally red or brownish and the tattoos are likely to contain PPD, an ingredient in hair colorants.

The dye poses no risks if used safely and legally by beauty experts, said Dr Meredith, but PPD can leave people with a swollen and sore red “burn” if painted directly on to the skin.

“It’s important people understand the dangers,” she added. “The use of PPD in black henna temporary tattoos painted directly on to the skin can be dangerous and is illegal, which means millions of us at home and abroad could be putting ourselves at risk of painful blistering and permanent scarring this summer.”

The warning follows an earlier alert this year from America’s health watchdog, the US Food and Drug Administration, which received numerous complaints to its hotline.

Longer term, people can develop a permanent sensitivity to PPD. This means anyone can have a reaction to products that legally contain the chemical, including permanent hair dyes.

Hermione Lawson, from the British Skin Foundation, said: “Many people don’t know that allergies build up over time, which means you can become susceptible to a reaction in the future if you’ve used other legal, safe products that contain PPD.”

‘I thought black henna star would look attractive — but I ended up in a cyprus hospital’

A holiday tattoo left Salih Cikikcioglu, right, in hospital and needing antibiotics for infected skin that took months to heal properly.

The Topshop sales assistant, 20, from London, had a black henna star inked on his right forearm in Cyprus.

He thought the body art would look attractive but he has been left with scarring.

Only a few hours after the tattooist had finished, Mr Cikikcioglu’s arm began to itch and burn. “It got so inflamed and infected that I had to go to hospital,” he said.

“I was put on antibiotics and had to have it re-bandaged every day for two weeks. It took months to heal and left a scar which you can still see now.

“I had no idea of the risks and now actively tell my friends to avoid ‘black henna’ temporary tattoos at all costs —I’d advise everyone to resist the temptation to get one done this summer.”

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