Temporary Tattoos & Young People

My article this month—entitled “Temporary Tattoos”—explores the consumer draw to temporary tattoos and the potential health risks associated with the bad products on the market.

The unsuspecting consumer has no idea if the temporary tattoo they are about to have placed on their skin is made from FDA-approved ingredients or the inferior and cheaper illegally produced ingredients.

Before you get all upset about the tattoo you recently got, note that you probably have nothing to worry about. The same holds true for the kiddies’ tattoos.

The temporary tattoos that are causing the skin problems are called Black Henna. What should cause a little red flag to pop up in your mind is the term Black Henna—because it does not exist. Henna products are not black. What is being sold as henna is a chemical called para-phenylenediamine (PPD). You can read the general health article for the full story.

What I want to discuss here is the problem (temporary tattoos) associated with young people. Teenagers and young adults who are barely out of their teens are making adult decisions without getting the full story. The point? We have to educate our teenagers about being a well-informed consumer.

Teenagers love to experiment. As parents, we need to teach and guide them in making well-informed decisions. For example, just because someone has a kiosk or an actual shop does not make him or her legitimate, licensed, or qualified technician. Teens are easily swayed and we have to help them focus and think about the consequences of those choices.

My eldest daughter, who is 22, wanted to get a small tattoo. Personally, I got my one and only tattoo when I was 45 years old; call it a midlife crisis decision! What I thought about her getting the tattoo was irrelevant. What was important is that she knew I was on her side and supported her decision to get the tattoo. The only thing I worried about was that she did her homework and checked out the shop and artist.

For example, did he:

• hold a reputable license (Colorado)?
• have a clean shop?
• use non-expired inks?
• use disposable needles?

My motto has always been: “With knowledge comes power, power to make informed decisions, informed decisions result in expected outcomes (no surprises).”

This all boils down to:

1. Do your homework and get accurate information.
2. Accurate information leads to better choices.
3. Better choices means less surprises, less disappointments.

In health and wellness,

Dr. Linda Mundorff