This article was published in 'Woman' magazine (uk) in the middle of January 2002

Cherie Draper's five year old son Reece insisted on having a henna tattoo while on holiday last year in Spain But the seamingly innocent, temporary tattoo may have left him with a perminant scar. "We went to Majorca in September and Reece begged me to have a tattoo. He'd had one done at home and all the other children were having them done in Spain So he used all his spending money - £15 - to have a dragon on his stomach and tow others on the tops of his arms," says Cherie, 30, from Malden in Essex. ' He had them done the day before we came home and they seemed fine,' adds Cherie, who also has a daughter Stacy. nine 'We'd only been home for a couple of days when Reece' skin started bubbling and blistering. He complained of it itching too. After four days the whole dragon design was raised up and really red and angry. he looked like he'd fallen into stinging nettles.' Cherie took him to the doctor who told her the henna tattoo was too strong for Reeces skin, had burned him and become infected. Reece was given antibiotics and a medicated cream to take away the itchingand bring down the swelling. 'It took six weeks before it calmed down,' says Cherie. 'We can still see the whole print of the tattoo on his sromach. By the look of it I'm afraid the scar's perminent.' Cherie warns other parents to be cautious when letting thier children have henna tattoo. if anyone in the family has had a bad reaction to one or if your child has skin allergies or sensitivities, think carefully before allowing them to have a henna tattoo. Also check out exactly what sort of products will be used.

We sent the journalist Helene Ferger, a fax explaining to her that her article was incorrect and that the little boy Reece, infact suffered a 'black henna' burn and that his injury was NOT caused by natural henna .

We are still waitng a reply.