Bali: Mum issues dire warning after henna tattoo on popular Balinese beach leaves daughter scarred

An Aussie mum has issued a strong warning to travellers visiting Bali after a popular tourist act left her daughter’s skin scarred.

During a trip to the Indonesian hot spot, her daughter received a leaf-inspired henna design on her left hand and forearm.

The mother shared before and after images of her daughter’s henna tattoo — explaining the temporary art was done on a beach on the tourist island.

Sharing the nightmare on the Australian Bali Info for Travellers social media group, she revealed an allergic reaction didn’t appear for a week.

“The dye had almost completely faded when a very angry, red reaction that left stinging and itchy welts appeared,” she wrote in her warning.

Upon arriving back to Australia, the daughter sought medical treatment and was prescribed topical steroids.

Her mum said she is now “slowly recovering”, but she worries her daughter may bear a permanent reminder of the experience.

“There is a concern that this will leave a long lasting or even permanent scar on her hand,” the mother said about the ordeal.

“We talked about not buying knockoff perfumes and makeup because we don’t know what is in them but clearly I should have added temporary tattoos and henna to the list!”

The ordeal comes after a New Zealand traveller’s dire warning in October about a henna tattoo her 10-year-old son received while at the popular Kuta Beach.

The young boy similarly had a nasty reaction to the henna, with the temporary tattoo “only starting to scab” after a week of oral and topical antibiotics.

Countless Aussie tourists have joined the two mums in recounting their allergic reactions to henna art done at popular Balinese beaches.

“Happened to a friend of mine . . . took two years to fully heal,” one Aussie wrote.

“I had this as a kid, I’m still allergic to henna and dyes and I’m 32,” another said.

A third commenter said this experience is not out of the norm: “These reactions has been happening in Bali for years.”

A core factor behind the spike of tourists in Bali reacting to the temporary tattoos is related to the chemicals used in the dye — one of which is notorious for causing skin reactions.

Traditional henna is usually rusty orange in colour, however black henna is far riskier and is unfortunately more common on Balinese beaches.

Black henna is more dangerous for human skin as it contains chemicals not found in the traditional ink, including the controversial paraphenylenediamine (PPD).

PPD is an amine compound used to achieve dark colourings, with its most popular use being as a colourant in black hair dye and boot polish.

The West Australian Department of Health says it is “illegal to use (PPD) on a client’s skin in Australia, but it is more likely to be used in some overseas holiday destinations like Bali”.

Reactions from the chemical can appear on a person within 14 days of the PPD making contact with skin, causing red welts and skin irritation.

UK-based dermatologist Dr Emma Meredith warned while the initial henna reaction may subside in weeks, the side effects from a PPD reaction can last a lifetime.

“Not only can (black henna) trigger extremely painful damage to skin, they may also result in life-long allergy to hair dyes,” she told the British Skin Foundation.

“I want to warn of these dangers, as what may seem to be harmless fun could have serious long-term consequences.”

PPD is solely authorised in Australia for use in hair dyes, with strict rules regarding concentrations and packaging affixed with warnings encouraging individuals to complete a ‘”patch test” prior to application.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises travellers to avoid temporary black henna tattoos while in Indonesia.