Semi Permanent Tattoo Methods
Have you been wondering if it is possible to get a semi permanent tattoo? The simple answer would be “Yes”, but it is actually a little more complicated than that.
Deciding to ink yourself is a major decision. For the most part, this increasingly popular form of body art will be with you the rest of your life. For many people, the concern is being in their 70′s one day, looking down at themselves wondering “What was I thinking?”.
For others, it is pure art and expression.
What if you could actually test out a design as a semi permanent tattoo, to see if being inked is right for your lifestyle? This concept has been around for thousands of years via one method, but is a brand new concept with another.
Types of Semi Permanent Tattoos
For thousands of years, semi permanent tattoo designs have decorated the bodies of Indian women. These tattoos, also known as “Mendhi”, meaning “henna” in Hindu, are beautiful way to express life events in Indian culture. Unlike inked tattooing that is injected under the skin, Henna tattoos are applied as a paste to the skin surface and over a few hours are gently absorbed into the derma. They typically last 1-4 weeks, depending on your skin type, temperature and the types of elements they are exposed to. For example, a swimmer in Chlorine will loose this form of semi permanent tattoo much quicker than someone who cares for their skin diligently.
Another form of semi permanent tattoo is a temporary tattoo pen. These pens, or “markers”, actually look just like Crayola markers, yet allow you to be creative for just a few days at a time. Their most common use is for dramatic makeup and special events, or to just see what having a tattoo would feel like.
For those of you looking for a longer lasting tattoo, some artists offer to use a semi permanent tattoo procedure. This involves applying the ink with a tattoo gun, versus using a tattoo needle. This form of tattooing is supposed to gradually fade over a period of three to five years, leaving virtually no trace behind. There are also mixed reports about the type of ink being used for this procedure. Some claim regular tattoo ink is injected closer to the surface of the skin, whereas others claim to use a special ink, created to fade naturally.
Neither method of using a tattoo gun have been proven either effective or ineffective as a semi permanent tattoo, and since the tattoo industry is unregulated, there is no accountability for what methods and materials used. This is what prompted a group of Harvard Medical School, Brown University, and Duke University scientists to develop a real semi permanent tattoo ink, that can be easily removed with a single laser treatment, instead of the typical 6-7 treatments.
Most people who decide to undergo inked body art do not suffer from any ill effects of the tattoos. However, some do, causing a wide variety of different medical and/or health issues. These include allergic reactions, inflammation and even an increased sensitivity to light. These can be horrible side effects to something now permanently on your body!
By using inks with safe, non-toxic, biocompatible pigments, this group of scientists have recently developed time released microencapsulated inks, that are easily removed with a single laser treatment. These inks are undergoing further development and hopefully will be on the market soon. This will allow all of us the chance to experience body art and a semi permanent tattoo without the long-term risk or regret.
