'Black henna' temporary tattoo warning

This article is 5 years old

Press Release

Published on 19 July 2019
Archived on 19 August 2019


Officials from Stratford-on-Avon District Council are issuing a warning about the dangers of temporary 'black henna' tattoos.

100% 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.

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 it on your skin in this way.

A 'PPD' reaction starts about 3 to 10 days after the PPD black henna tattoo is applied, it can lead to blisters, scars, potentially life-threatening allergic reactions and increase the likelihood of becoming allergic to other dyes in the future.

Stratford District Council's Licensing team warned: "Although there are no known cases within Stratford-on-Avon, 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 please visit the NHS Choices website: https://www.nhs.uk/


Contact details

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House, Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX
Tel: 01789 267575

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Last updated on 19/07/2019