Tattoo Ink: Temporary or Henna

Temporary tattoos are opted for sometimes because they do not have a lasting effect on the skin and fade within a few days or weeks. Some are like stickers that are stuck on the skin with water and others contain vegetable die that are glued on. Temporary tattoos may also be sprayed on to the skin by airbrush and stencil. Silver nitrate may also be used but is also considered toxic in certain doses.

Henna is another form of temporary tattoo that interacts with the sun’s ultraviolet light to bring out the tattoo and fades over weeks. In many cultures, henna represents celebration and good luck. Henna from the lawsonia inermis plant is considered fairly safe until mixed with other toxic substances like silver nitrate and chromium. These can have allergic and inflammatory effects on the skin, causing infection to enter the bloodstream which poses a threat to the expectant mother as well as the developing foetus. Infections can lead to birth complications such as pre-term labour, miscarriage and stillbirth.

Tattoos and Pregnancy:

• Tattoos and Pregnancy
• Pregnancy and maintaining existing tattoos
• Pregnancy and re-inking existing tattoos
• Deciding on a new tattoo after conception
• Tattoo Ink: Temporary or Henna

• Health risks: New tattoos and pregnancy
• Breast tattoos and breast feeding
• Navel or back tattoos when pregnant
• Pregnancy, tattoos, and stress
• Tattoos and Regulation