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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Henna tattoo and school?

56 replies

pastapestofor6 · 23/07/2010 10:30

My 6 year old came home from school yesterday with a henna tattoo covering most of his forearm, it is a huge tiger and it also says his name in big capital letters, now the school did not ask permission for him to have this done, we were not even told a thing about it. Am I being unreasonable in thinking they should not have done this without asking parental permission? he is a page boy on saturday and he has to wear a short sleeved shirt, any chance it will fade before then? and how about allergic reactions, I have read horro stories about henna tattoo's causing awful scars?
I am actually a bit cross about this, so AIBU?

OP posts:
needafootmassage · 23/07/2010 10:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hulababy · 23/07/2010 10:33

I would also be very cross about it. I am shocked a school would do such a thing without gaining parental permission.

Sadly I think henna takes more like 5-6 weeks to go.

I would definitely speak to school about it.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 23/07/2010 10:33

YANBU - I'd be concerned abou the potential for future allergic reactions. They should have asked.

scurryfunge · 23/07/2010 10:37

you can get allergic reactions years later. What were they thinking?

gorionine · 23/07/2010 10:37

My Dd often has henna tatoos (cultural)

At the last school fair she actully was henna tatooing her friends (had a little henna tatoo stall)

I must say I have never heard of any stories of scars caused by henna tatoo. I

It will take several days, not weeks (With the one I am familiar with but there might be different strengths?) for it to totally fade away .

I do agree the school should have asked you though.

irises · 23/07/2010 10:39

Oh no, it'll take ages to fade. Why on earth couldn't they have given him a little one on an inconspicuous place, if they had to do one at all.

They look really scruffy from a distance, imo.

gorionine · 23/07/2010 10:41

"you can get allergic reactions years later"

How do you know (genuine question) years laters that it is due to having been henna tatooed once if you have an alergic reaction?

going · 23/07/2010 10:47

The school should have asked.

Henna tatoos can be really gorgeous but only if you want them.

It will not fade by Saturday - no amount of scrubbing will get it off.

pastapestofor6 · 23/07/2010 10:47

I like the henna when done on the hands , I think it looks very pretty, but this huge snarling beast is not so pretty! am not sure about the whole allergic reaction and how long it would take to show up? anyone know more about it?

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 23/07/2010 10:49

here

seems natural 100% is ok but how do you know what was used?

gorionine · 23/07/2010 10:57

Very intersting link Scurryfunge, I had no idea that henna was not always 100% natural and had never heard of black or coloured henna.

pastapestofor6 · 23/07/2010 10:59

Thank you scurry that is perfect info, the henna used yesterday smelt kind of spicy a bit cinnamon like, hopefully this is the 'good' type

OP posts:
Faithless12 · 23/07/2010 12:10

Black henna is the stuff that scars, it's not proper henna. Wash it loads with salt water. How long did he leave the stuff on before washing it off as if he didn't leave it on for long it should be easier to remove.

pastapestofor6 · 23/07/2010 12:49

I' not sure faithless, it still had some crusty bits on when he came out, the pattern is very dark red/brown

OP posts:
seeker · 23/07/2010 12:57

You can't get allergic reactions years later- don't be silly!

2blessed2bstressed · 23/07/2010 13:01

Seeker, of course you can - it's a similar type thing to anaphylactic shock if you're stung - you can be stung once which sets the "internal alarm system" and then next time you're stung - which can be years later - you can go into anaphylactic shock. It's rare, but it does happen.

isthatporridgeinyourhair · 23/07/2010 13:13

If you dye your hair the contraindications on the instructions specify black henna as a particular issue.

scurryfunge · 23/07/2010 13:23

no, honest seeker, it's true, I read it in the Mail

littleducks · 23/07/2010 13:29

stick him in the bath for ages, take him swimming, put him in paddling pool then when it has faded scrub a bit will be gone

AMumInScotland · 23/07/2010 13:38

You can get an allergic reaction to something the second (or subsequent) time you encounter it - the first time your immune system meets anything new it will not have an allergic reaction, but the cells can "make a note of it" as something they don't like, and overreact the next time they meet the same thing.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 23/07/2010 13:50

You could try 'shaving' with a bic style razor

HowsTheSerenity · 23/07/2010 13:54

The black style henna is actually banned is most countries (apart from some African and Middle Eastern ones where the rules are a tad harder to enforce I think). It can cause scarring.
www.hennapage.com/henna/ppd/index.html

paisleyleaf · 23/07/2010 14:00

I would think it will have been the real henna that won't blister the skin. That's something else (black henna) and also when you visit some countries that offer the tourists henna tattoos, they've mixed it with other stuff to save money..
I'm quite sure that the school will have used henna.

But still, yanbu. I'd expect to be asked permission. What a PITA with the page boy thing.
The schools are quick enough to say they don't want nail varnish/must have your hair like such and such. What a stupid think for them to do.

babybarrister · 23/07/2010 14:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MayorNaze · 23/07/2010 14:18

we had henna tattoos for culture week

permission slips coming out of our ears

NO-ONE without a slip allowed to be done, tears and pleading rightly ignored

at your school

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