06-05-2025
GP says travel insurance could be invalidated by 'health-risk' trend
You could be left ill with no way to fund your treatment or return home
Almost a quarter of people in the UK now have tattoos, and the trend has become so popular that you can even get a tattoo on a cruise holiday. Temporary tattoos, such as henna designs, have also surged in popularity, particularly among travellers seeking a souvenir without the lifelong commitment.
Traditional henna art, practised across South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, uses natural dye to create intricate patterns that fade over time.
But GP Dr Asimah Hanif, working with medical travel insurance provider Staysure, warns holidaymakers of one thing they must be aware of when getting a tattoo abroad.
Dr Asimah said: "A tattoo can be a great memento from a trip, but it's important that Brits are aware that any health complications, such as a bacterial infection, will likely not be covered by your travel insurance if it's caused by getting a tattoo."
Part of the reason tattoos can lead to complications while travelling is the strain they place on the body. "Getting a tattoo temporarily weakens the immune system," Dr Asimah said. "The immune system is activated to try and fight off what it perceives as a foreign invader: the tattoo ink."
Dr Asimah adds that a holiday setting also puts you at increased risk of an infection. "A tattoo is essentially an open wound whilst it's healing, and a foreign holiday offers plenty of opportunities for infection.
"From a dip in a chlorinated pool to applying suncream, these factors increase the chance of bacteria entering the wound and a bacterial infection developing.
"In some cases, there's also a chance you'll be eating less nutritious food than usual, which again can put the body at higher risk of an infection.
"It's also worth noting that while natural henna is generally considered safe, so-called 'black henna' – often used at tourist markets – can sometimes contain harmful additives like para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which can cause severe skin reactions and allergic responses," Dr Asimah said: "Always check what ingredients are being used if you opt for henna while abroad.
"A bacterial infection is never good news, and they can range from a mild illness to something as dangerous as sepsis, which can cause the body's vital organs to shut down.
"Most standard medical travel insurance packages won't cover an issue caused by a tattoo, and the same goes for piercings," Dr Asimah added: "So, it might be wiser to wait until you're home to get inked, where you can visit a trusted tattoo parlour and have access to medical care in the UK if an infection does occur.
"Having a tattoo isn't to be taken lightly so it's best not to rush into it. The aftercare routine is key to helping it heal properly which takes time."
