Temporary Tattoos May Put You at Risk

Temporary Tattoos May Put You at Risk

A temporary tattoo is a non-permanent image on the skin resembling a real tattoo. It can be drawn as a form of body painting. People wants to get a temporary tattoo for numerous purposes including self-expression, identification and to mark an occasion. Temporary tattoos typically last from three days to several weeks, depending on the product used for coloring and the condition of the skin. Unlike permanent tattoos, which are injected into the skin, temporary tattoos marketed as "henna" are applied to the skin's surface. According to Linda Katz, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, "just because a tattoo is temporary it doesn't mean that it is risk free." Reported problems include redness, blisters, raised red weeping lesions, loss of pigmentation, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and even permanent scarring. Visit http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm343932.htm for more details.