Wednesday 9 September 2009

The Horrors of Black Henna Tattoos

I really hope people find this page before getting a black henna tattoo, and not afterwards, as I did.

We were walking down the beach on our second-from-last day in Santorini. We spotted a young woman on the beach braiding hair, and , of course, my daughter wanted her hair braided to show her friends when she got home. Next to her stand, was another young woman doing "henna tattoos". Great! Something for my son too, so he wouldn't feel left out. I am a careful mum - OK, I am a bit over-protective. Henna is a natural substance, right?

wrong.

Black henna, as this turned out to be, is far form a natural substance.

Take a look at these pictures... these were taken several days alter, after we had returned to the UK. I took him to the doctors in the morning, about 4 days after the tattoo had been done. He was prescribed steroids and antibiotics. His arm was hurting and swelling. That night, he was very sick, and threw up several times.

from this...

to this horrible mess...




I went on line to read about henna - and realised my dreadful mistake.

Please, please, please think very hard before letting your child have a black henna tattoo - although it has now faded, there is every chance my beautiful 10 year old's arm may have permanent scarring...

You can imagine how I feel looking at these pictures. I am exposing my own ignorance in the hope it might help another child (or adult) avoid this dangerous substance.

It makes me feel sick.

Please avoid having these done...

Tuesday 8 September 2009