Washable Tattoos

Washable tattoos (also called temporary tattoos or fake tattoos) have been popular with kids for years now. These sticker-type tattoos transfer onto the skin when rubbed with a damp washcloth, and wear off after a few days or baths. Because they are cheap to produce and have a wide appeal, these washable tattoos are often given out at fairs or festivals or they can be found at the bottom of cereal boxes. Some companies use them for promotion. A more up-scale version of this type of tattoo can be purchased, and they are often made to look like real tattoo designs – for example, there are tribal or Celtic tattoo designs available in this format. This is one way that you can ‘try out’ a tattoo before committing to a real one.

These types of washable tattoos are just the beginning, though. Fake tattoos that transfer onto the skin have several distinct disadvantages; for a start, they generally don’t look good for very long. The tattoo image itself is surrounded by a transparent area of stickiness, and after a day or so it tends to pick up dirt. After a few days to a week, the entire tattoo starts to peel off. At best, this type of washable tattoo offers very temporary satisfaction. Luckily there are other temporary tattoos, like henna tattoos and airbrush tattoos.

Henna Tattoos

Henna tattoos are a version of menhdi, a traditional type of body art from India. Traditional henna tattoos consist of complex designs to decorate the hands or feet – they were an integral part of many Indian festivals. Nowadays though, the same technique is used for washable tattoos in a variety of standard tattoo styles. These temporary tattoos can sometimes look quite realistic.

Airbrush Tattoos

These are really the crème de la crème of temporary tattoos because they look so realistic. A stencil is placed on the skin, and colors and lines are airbrushed onto the skin. These washable tattoos can last a week or more before starting to fade. There are a huge range of designs available – many of the same designs that you might select in a real tattoo. In short, this is a great way of trying out a tattoo before you get a real one; airbrush tattoos are also popular with teenagers who are not quite old enough to get an actual tattoo, but are attracted to the look.

Washable tattoos really aren’t just for kids. Of course, they aren’t like the real thing either – but they can be an important stage in your decision whether to get a tattoo. It’s a great idea to live with a tattoo for a week or so before deciding whether to make it permanent. Washable tattoos can also be a fashion statement; for example, some girls like to get a decorative airbrush tattoo before a special occasion such as a prom.