OFFICIALS from Stratford District Council are issuing a warning about the dangers of temporary ‘black henna’ tattoos.
They say 100 per cent pure natural henna will colour the skin in shades of orange, red burgundy, brown or coffee and has been used for years for temporary tattoos.
However black henna is completely different to traditional henna and can be made using synthetic back hair dye containing para-phenylendiamine, called PPD.
This is so powerful and toxic, that it is illegal to use on skin in this way.
A ‘PPD’ reaction starts about three to then days after the PPD black henna tattoo is applied and can lead to blisters, scars, potentially life-threatening allergic reactions and increase the likelihood of becoming allergic to other dyes in the future.
The district council’s licensing team warned: “We are issuing this warning as during the summer months traders may offer black henna tattoos and customers can be mistaken into thinking these tattoos are safe. Some maybe, but some are not.”
For more information about PPD black henna temporary tattoos and the negative health effects they can cause visit www.nhs.uk/
