The Difference Between Water Transfer and Henna Tattoos

Water transfer temporary tattoos with FDA-approved ingredients are safe enough for use on a baby!

In the news recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the safety of temporary tattoos, and the lasting effects that some can leave on your skin. We have seen the photos much like all of you that display permanent damage done to the skin from Temporary Black Henna tattoos. When it comes to choosing a temporary tattoo that is right for you, it is important to know exactly what you are putting on your skin and all of the effects that it could have. We are here to clear up some of the confusion and outline the differences between safe and unsafe tattoo types.

There are several different kinds of temporary tattoos out on the market, and it is important to know how to distinguish between them.

The most common type of temporary tattoo comes as a water transfer or decal temporary tattoo. This is a tattoo with an image printed on water-permeable paper. These are the water transfer temporary tattoos that most people are familiar with. Due to FDA standards, all water transfer tattoos use only pigments that are approved for cosmetic use.

In order to meet this standard, they must be non-toxic and hypoallergenic. There are several kinds of water transfer temporary tattoos that are produced outside of the U.S. and may not meet all FDA standards. Therefore, its is crucial to check the ingredients in temporary tattoos before purchasing them.

Airbrush temporary tattoos are another option. These temporary tattoos are often seen at festivals, and while they do not last as long as water transfer, many people enjoy them. Airbrush tattoos are applied when a tattoo design is sprayed on to the skin using a stencil. The paint used in this application is typically cosmetic safe alcohol-based ink. Always make sure to as the person in charge of application what kind of ink is being used before having the tattoo applied.

Henna is a substance that has been derived from plants that is painted on the skin, staining it with a brown or sometimes orange color. Henna does not always look as realistic as other temporary tattoo types, but typically lasts up to 2 weeks. The application process requires sitting, and allowing the ink to dry for quite a while, so this application may not be best for children.

When deciding upon a henna temporary tattoo, you need to ensure that the artist is using pure henna. You want to ensure that the henna they are using is derived from plants and does not cause any allergic reaction or damaging effects.

This is the kind of henna that has been seen in the news recently for leaving scarring after-effects. Black Henna contains PPD, a dye commonly used in hair coloring and is unsafe for skin. The FDA has issued many warnings urging consumers to stay away from temporary tattoos that have been discussed as Black Henna or Pre-Mixed Henna because these kinds of henna may be harmful.

There are often severe issues related to this kind of henna such as chronic inflammatory reactions, allergic reactions, and lasting skin damage. This type of henna can cause these reactions long after application. Neither black henna nor pre-mixed henna are approved for cosmetic use by the FDA and they can cause long standing damage to the skin.

The best thing to do for your family when it comes to temporary tattoos is research. Make sure you are familiar with the ingredients in whatever application you choose. It is also important to make sure that you are getting your tattoos from a reputable source. The FDA does not specifically certify temporary tattoos, but it does certify the ingredients used to make them as safe.

Customize your own tattoo →