AN Oxfordshire Henna artist is warning people over the potential dangers of the body art as we move into the summer festival season.

Owner of the Henna Boutique in Didcot, Tanya Vyas, said many people who wish to decorate their body unknowingly use 'black henna' which may contain high levels of a chemical dye known to cause scarring.

Although body paint containing the chemical, called paraphenylenediamine (PPD), is readily available abroad, it is illegal to use in this way in the UK.

However, it has been known to be available at festivals and fairs, and Mrs Vyas has urged those at such events to be aware.

She said: "With the festival season upon us, World Yoga festival and Truck festival this week, it is becoming more common for festival-goers to apply henna as one way of adorning themselves.

"Henna should be treated as fresh food and when bought from shops where they are stored out on the shelves for months, it is evident that these cones will have added dyes and chemicals to give an 'instant' stain.

"Whilst natural henna takes two days to mature from a bright orange stain to a dark sumptuous brown stain."

"Having practised henna for around 10 years, and greatly advocating natural henna, I feel this is so important to educate people on what harm they could potentially be facing."

For more information visit Mrs Vyas blog at www.thehennaboutique.co.uk/blog/ or for medical advice www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/black-henna-neutral-henna-ppd-dangers/