| If you're considering a tattoo but aren't quite yet | | | | consumers. The temporary tattoos available on the |
| committed enough to take the jump and go | | | | market today actually use vegetable dyes and an |
| permanent, there are a few other alternatives available | | | | adhesive that we normally find in Band-Aids. |
| to you. It is important to know, however, that when | | | | These tattoos not only look realistic but will actually |
| looking for a true "try-before-you-buy" tattoo option, | | | | stay on for up to three weeks. While it's much less |
| semi-permanent tattoos simply do not exist. | | | | expensive to purchase these tattoos in bulk, individual |
| Currently marketed on the internet as well as in hair | | | | prices vary depending on the size and design. A 5x9 |
| salons and market stalls, this product is simply a | | | | inch armband dragon tattoo in one color for example, |
| figment of someone's imagination. Although claims for | | | | can be purchased online for as little as 50 cents. |
| these tattoos suggest that they'll only last six months, | | | | Most shops will also custom design your temporary |
| the truth of the matter is that whenever you inject a | | | | tattoo; however, they usually require a minimum |
| dye under a layer of skin - it'll remain there until you | | | | purchase for custom work. |
| have it professionally removed. So if you're not sure it's | | | | An inexpensive and painless alternative to a |
| what you want, don't do it! | | | | permanent tattoo, stick-on tattoos look more realistic |
| The only real alternatives to permanent tattoos are | | | | than ever. Choosing this option gives you the option of |
| henna tattoos which usually fade in about 4 weeks or | | | | changing not only the location of the tattoo but the |
| stick on tattoos which often disappear within 7 days. If | | | | design as well in just a few minutes. |
| you're extremely creative, however, you may do a little | | | | Air Brush Tattoos |
| experimenting with permanent markers or crayons. | | | | While we've all seen the airbrushed t-shirts and |
| Henna Tattoos | | | | paintings at the booths at the fair, airbrush tattoos are |
| A great way to try out your design is with a Henna | | | | also becoming extremely popular as an alternative to |
| tattoo. Henna is a natural dye that is derived from a | | | | permanent tattoos. Using the same process as is used |
| plant. | | | | with t-shirts, a stencil is placed on the skin and an |
| The dye will typically begin to fade after about a | | | | airbrush sprayer is used to fill in the color. |
| week. In most cases, it will completely disappear within | | | | Although the design normally only lasts about a week, |
| 4 weeks. Henna stencils can be applied to any part of | | | | airbrushing is considered to be the technique that |
| the body and typically do not cause any skin irritations. | | | | produces an end product most closely resembling the |
| The only real downside to using Henna is that it is not | | | | look of an actual permanent tattoo. Airbrush tattoos |
| available in different colors. Although it is possible to | | | | are more expensive than stick-on tattoos but are |
| mix various shades of Henna, it naturally appears | | | | nowhere near the cost of a permanent design. Prices |
| orange on the skin and darkens to a reddish brown | | | | for airbrush tattoos normally range anywhere from |
| color within about 48 hours. | | | | $20 to $100. |
| There are also several companies that are currently | | | | Other options |
| marketing a "black henna" product. Warnings about this | | | | If none of the options above are quite what you're |
| product are extensive and its use could potentially | | | | looking for in a temporary tattoo, you can always |
| cause severe side effects. | | | | draw on your own. Permanent markers work great |
| The product that is currently being marketed as "Black | | | | for temporary designs that you can create yourself or |
| Henna" is actually a substance called | | | | apply using a stencil, while Crayola washable markers |
| para-phenylendiamine or PPD, which is really black hair | | | | are a simple way to try out a design or location that |
| dye. Although some of these products may contain | | | | can be removed immediately. |
| henna, most do not. | | | | When it comes to temporary tattoos and body art, the |
| This synthetic dye is not approved for use on the skin | | | | possibilities are only limited by your own imagination. |
| and has been known to cause severe reactions | | | | Adding a little body glitter or a few stick-on crystals |
| including itching, blistering and potentially scarring. | | | | can add to the originality of your artwork. One thing is |
| Whether you decide to do your Henna tattoos | | | | guaranteed - nobody else will be sporting a look-a-like! |
| yourself or have them done professionally, make sure | | | | While any one or maybe even all of these alternatives |
| that PPD is not being used. | | | | may just satisfy your urge for a little body decoration, |
| Henna kits and stencils can be purchased on the | | | | if you're still leaning towards a permanent design, it'd be |
| internet starting from about $20.00. | | | | a good idea to have it customized into one of the |
| Stick-on Temporary Tattoos | | | | temporary formats we've discussed. |
| Although most adults associate stick-on tattoos with | | | | Wearing the tattoo for a few weeks gives you the |
| the postage stamp variety that usually came with the | | | | opportunity to gauge the reactions of others, as well |
| bubble gum wrapper and washed off with water, | | | | as your own satisfaction level, and will even allow you |
| these temporary alternatives to permanent tattoos | | | | to experiment a little with the location of the design |
| have truly evolved and the variety of sizes and | | | | before you make a commitment that could possibly |
| designs available may come as a surprise to most | | | | change your life. |