As the name implies, basically temporary tattoos are meant only for a short time, about a few days to a few weeks. If you want to extend the life of your tattoo, you can take a few extra steps before and after getting your tattoo done to keep your cool tattoo design looking crisp and fresh.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing Your Skin
Step 1. Clean the area you want to tattoo
Your skin's natural lotions, make-up, and oils can shorten the life of your tattoo. These ingredients can create a barrier between the ink and your skin, so the tattoo doesn't actually stick or absorb and can be removed when your lotion is removed. Oils can damage the ink on tattoo stickers (baby oil is often used to remove tattoos from your skin), so if oil is already on your skin, it will damage your tattoo immediately.
Make sure you dry your skin before applying the tattoo
Step 2. Exfoliate your skin area before applying a temporary tattoo
Usually the top layer of your skin is dead skin cells that fall off or peel off. If you put the tattoo right in this layer, there is a high chance that the tattoo will peel off as the dead skin cells are peeled off. Exfoliating removes this layer and gives you a smooth layer of skin to apply the tattoo.
Exfoliate with a loofah or pumice stone and avoid techniques that can make your skin oily, such as using salt or sugar
Step 3. Select an area of skin that will not continue to move or stretch or come into contact with oil and other substances
The skin on your hands and feet is constantly stretching and moving, which can cause your tattoo to crack or fade faster. Your hands also come into contact with a wide variety of substances throughout the day, from oily foods to art supplies or soap and water. Continued contact like this can cause your tattoo to fade earlier than it should.
- Henna tattoos are an exception. Henna works best on your hands or feet, as the skin on your feet and hands is thicker. The more layers of skin, the more layers of ink that can stick.
- Avoid areas that get sweaty or naturally oily like your temples or feet when wearing socks and shoes.
- Avoid areas that come into contact with your clothes.
Step 4. Shave the area before applying the temporary tattoo
Hair can block the ink. If there is a lot of hair in the area you want to tattoo, shave it off first.
- If you get your tattoo in an area that you shave regularly, such as your neck or legs, shaving can remove your tattoo quickly. Shaving before getting the tattoo can keep you from shaving longer after the tattoo is in place.
- Make sure you use a sharp, new razor if you want to shave the tattooed area. A dull razor can peel off your tattoo.
Part 2 of 3: Extend the Life of a Tattoo Sticker or Airbrush
Step 1. Wash the area around the tattoo, not the tattoo
Many temporary tattoos are said to be waterproof, but the addition of soap can affect your tattoo. What's more, when you scrub your skin clean, the friction will separate the ink from your skin.
It's okay to swim or shower with a waterproof temporary tattoo, just try not to soak it in the tub or come into contact with soap or oil
Step 2. Coat your tattoo with petroleum jelly which can act as a sealant
Although most people think of petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, it actually works by locking moisture in the skin, almost like a sheet of plastic.
Clear nail polish has the same locking effect as petroleum jelly, only it won't be as messy as it will dry out on your skin
Step 3. Use baby powder, cornstarch, or talcum powder on the tattoo
These ingredients are highly absorbent and can absorb your skin's natural oils which can damage the tattoo ink.
Be careful not to inhale these powders as they can be harmful to your lungs
Step 4. Thicken your tattoo with a permanent marker when it starts to fade
If your tattoo is simple and consists of one color, a permanent marker with a thin tip can bring it back to life.
Trace the tattoo design with a marker of the same color and color it with ink. The results won't last much longer than a day or two
Step 5. Stop exercising
Sweat and excessive movement of your skin can cause the tattoo to fade faster, especially when it rubs against your workout clothes.
Part 3 of 3: Extending the Life of Henna Tattoos
Step 1. Keep the henna paste wet as long as possible
Spraying the henna paste with a solution of lemon juice and sugar (which you can make at home or provided by a henna artist) will lock the paste into your skin and keep it wet. As long as the paste is wet, the henna will continue to color your skin and you can get a richer, darker color that will last longer.
- Henna will work for up to 12 hours after application if you keep it wet.
- Don't overspray the paste – you don't want to get it so wet that the paste splatters on your skin and obscures the design.
- Make your own spray by dissolving 1 tsp of sugar with 3 tsp of lemon juice. Gently heat the sugar and lemon juice mixture in a saucepan if the sugar doesn't dissolve after stirring for about a minute.
Step 2. Warm your skin while the henna paste dries
Holding your hands or feet near a heater, stove, or fire can warm your skin and keep the henna paste wet. You can even use a heating pad – just make sure the design doesn't rub off.
Keep the tattoo area warm, but not too hot – sweating too much can cause the henna paste to splatter
Step 3. Never use "black henna", even though it promises to make your tattoo last longer
Black henna is not henna, which comes from plants. Black or blue henna is actually a chemical called PPD that should only be used to color hair and can be harmful to the skin. These ingredients can cause rashes, allergic reactions, swelling, and other complications.
Some black henna does not even contain real henna at all and consists only of harmful PPD
Step 4. Avoid water for 24 hours after removing henna
Applying petroleum jelly can help lock the tattoo and repel water. Water can cause dry skin and promote exfoliation of dead and dry skin.
Warning
- Be aware of the ingredients in the tattoo that can cause allergies before getting a tattoo.
- Never get a temporary tattoo that doesn't include a composition list. Tattoos like this can contain harmful chemicals.
- If you experience itching, or a rash appears on your tattoo area, see a doctor.
