Young women are getting scars from DIY freckles after having henna or black ink injected on their cheeks in a TikTok beauty trend.
- Videos on TikTok show how people use henna to give themselves trendy freckles.
- The trend is believed to have been inspired by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
- Clinics report an increase in women seeking help after work
Experts have expressed concern over a TikTok beauty trend that has seen young women disfigured after getting freckle tattoos done by themselves.
Videos posted on the social media platform show people using needles to inject dots of henna or black ink through their noses and cheeks, which is believed to have been inspired by the Duchess of Sussex’s natural freckles.
But clinics are reporting an increase in women seeking costly tattoo removal treatments after substandard work that causes allergic reactions and risks permanent scarring.
Clinics are reporting an increase in the number of women needing costly tattoo removal treatments after a failed job.
Laura Kay, a London-based permanent makeup artist who specializes in applying eyebrows, eyeliner and lipstick, said: “I would not advise you to get a freckle tattoo. People who tattoo at home without a license are known as scratchers and are illegal.
“Tattoo artists must be licensed, and handmade tattoos pose a real risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis.”
Advertised as “Fake DIY Tattoo Freckles”, bottles of black ink are being sold online for as little as £5.70, and plant-derived henna can irritate the skin.
Australian reality TV star Tilly Whitfield went viral last year after her attempt to make fake freckles using lead-based ink copied from TikTok left her with permanent scars and temporary loss of vision in one eye. And one young British TikToker who tried to paint freckles with henna said it took hours to erase the black spot from her face.
“I used the wrong henna – it came out darker than expected,” said the girl, who asked not to be named after being insulted online when she revealed what happened.
It is believed that this was inspired by the natural freckles of the Duchess of Sussex.
Permanent makeup specialist Sian Dellar, who lives on London’s Harley Street, says most of those who wear fake freckles were between 18 and 25, adding: “There was a time when people wanted to hide their freckles, but now they really do.” they want it and it was Meghan Markle who caused the demand.”
Ms Dellard offers £295 semi-permanent ‘Markle Sparkle’ treatment that powders freckles along the nose and cheekbones. But she warned people against trying to do it themselves at home. “Do-it-yourself tattoos carry a huge risk of infection and can leave serious scarring,” she said. “We’ve seen an increase in laser tattoo removal in the clinic where these handmade tattoos went wrong.”
Freckle removal can involve multiple skin restoration sessions costing over £300 each.