A mother has issued a strong caution to vacationers and parents following her daughter’s burn incident during a holiday that might result in permanent scars. The Australian woman raised awareness about the risks of temporary henna tattoos while vacationing in Bali, Indonesia, after her daughter had a negative reaction post a short trip on the famous tourist island. She posted before and after images of her daughter’s temporary henna tattoo, mentioning that her daughter got it while at a beach.
“My daughter returned with what she believed was a henna tattoo,” the mother shared on the Australian Bali Info for Traveling Facebook page. “About a week later, the dye had almost entirely vanished.”
She revealed before and after photos of her daughter’s henna tattoo. The initial picture showcased a glossy, intricate black henna tattoo. Seven days later, the photos displayed faded skin with red welts, causing stinging and itching.
“She is presently on day four of a steroid cream treatment and slowly recuperating,” the mother stated, expressing concerns from doctors that the temporary tattoo might result in a permanent scar. Unlike natural henna, black henna contains a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which can trigger severe allergic reactions, permanent scarring, blistering, and long-term sensitivity to hair dyes and other substances. The community members shared similar distressing encounters, advising caution against using such products.
Around 300,000 British tourists visit Bali annually, with the UK being one of the top source markets for the Indonesian island. In 2024, the UK ranked among the top five countries for visitors, with approximately 295,326 recorded arrivals.