Before getting a tattoo or permanent make-up, here is what you should know. A tattoo is a mark or design on the skin. A permanent tattoo is meant to last forever. It is made with a needle and colored ink. The needle puts the ink into the skin. Some of these colors are also used in printing or painting cars and have not been tested for safety. In fact, no colors are approved by FDA for injecting into the skin. Allergic reactions have been reported from individuals who have received either temporary or permanent tattoos.
There are many different kinds of
tattoos. For example:
- Permanent tattoos, a needle is used to insert colored ink into the skin.
- Permanent make-up that looks like make-up, such as eyebrow pencil, lip liner, eyeliner or blush.
- Henna (mehndi) tattoos, natural plant dye called henna. This kind of tattoo does not use needles. The color lasts 2 to 3 weeks. Henna is only approved by FDA for use as a hair dye. It is not approved for use on the skin.
- Sticker” type temporary. The tattoo design is on a piece of coated paper. It is put on the skin with water or may be rubbed off onto the skin. Temporary tattoos last only a few days. They must contain only colors permitted for use in cosmetics applied to the skin.