What are the side effects of temporary tattoos?

Author: Mariah Ritchie  |  Last update: Monday, October 13, 2025

The FDA adverse event reporting program, called MedWatch, have received numerous reports of people who get temporary tattoos experiencing problems, such as:
  • Blisters.
  • Redness.
  • Sensitivity to sunlight.
  • Raised red weeping lesions.
  • Permanent scarring.

Do temporary tattoos have side effects?

Do not fall for temporary tattoos as these may cause allergic reactions to skin. Allergic reactions to press-on temporary tattoos can involve rashes and blisters while long-term effects might include scarring, skin changes and increased sensitivity to sun, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report has warned.

What are the problems with temporary tattoos?

Allergic reactions. Granulomas. Keloid formation. Increased chance of sunburn, redness, or scarring.

What are the negative side effects of tattoos?

The risks include:
  • Allergic reactions. Tattoo ink can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. ...
  • Skin infections. A skin infection is possible after getting a tattoo. ...
  • Other skin problems. ...
  • Diseases spread through blood. ...
  • Skin reactions to an MRI.

What are the pros and cons of temporary tattoos?

Temporary tattoos are a pain-free alternative. Cost and Time: Think about your budget and the time you're willing to invest. Permanent tattoos tend to be more costly and time-consuming. Meaning and Significance: Reflect on the cultural, personal, or spiritual significance of your body art.

Temporary Tattoos Risks

What is the safest temporary tattoo?

Inkbox tattoos are clinically-tested, cruelty-free, and made with vegan ingredients and product safety tested.

Does a semi-permanent tattoo affect the blood?

You have to wait for four months after having a tattoo before you can give blood. This includes semi-permanent make-up and microblading and the wait is the same for body piercings and acupuncture. This rule is in place to preserve the safety of patients who receive donated blood.

Does tattoo ink enter your bloodstream?

In 2011, in a study in The British Journal of Dermatology, investigators reported the discovery that nanoparticles are found in tattoo inks. Nanoparticles are ultramicroscopic, making them able to penetrate through skin layers into underlying blood vessels and then travel with the bloodstream.

Why do I feel sick after tattoo removal?

The laser shatters the tattoo ink particles, and as the body's immune system works to flush out these fragmented pigments, it can result in nausea, dizziness, or other flu-like symptoms. Managing pain through prescribed painkillers or over-the-counter medications can help alleviate some of these symptoms.

Is tattoo removal bad for your liver?

The ink that breaks down is processed through the liver, so it is important to discuss liver problems with your doctor before proceeding. Keep in mind that a healthy liver will have minimal to no issues, but a liver that is already struggling could end up with adverse effects.

Is temporary tattoo ink toxic?

Are Temporary Tattoos Toxic? Not all temporary tattoos are created equal. Some may contain harmful chemicals and preservatives that can be toxic to the skin and body. Ingredients such as black henna, which contains a chemical called p-phenylenediamine (PPD), can cause severe allergic reactions and permanent scarring.

Is it OK to wear temporary tattoos?

Does the FDA Approve Any Temporary Tattoos? If you have read recent reports by the FDA warning of the dangers of black henna tattoos, then you may be wondering if decal (press-on) temporary tattoos are safe? The answer is almost always yes.

Do temporary tattoos have PPD?

The textile dye paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a common industrial allergen and can be found in some temporary tattoo inks.

Are temporary tattoos FDA approved?

The FDA requires that water transfer-type tattoos use only pigments that have been approved for use in cosmetics; this means they are non-toxic. They are easily removed by baby oil or rubbing alcohol (but not soap and water).

What is the safest tattoo ink?

With ISO and CTL certifications, safety data sheets, and 100% vegan and cruelty-free options, World Famous Ink is the safest ink in the tattooing industry. Choose World Famous Ink for the best-healed results with true color matching and elevate your tattooing experience.

How long can you leave temporary tattoos on?

Temporary tattoos from Print Tattoos are attached to the skin using water and will stay there for about two to six days. The tattoos can be removed anytime without traces. Step 1: Make sure that skin in the application area is clean and dry. Remove the protective layer on top.

Can tattoos make you sick after?

Tattooing can result in several complications such as localized and systemic infections, inflammatory skin eruptions and neoplasms. We recently experienced a 26-year-old man diagnosed with typical TSS following tattooing. He complained of fever, chills and erythematous rash at tattoo site.

How does tattoo removal affect the immune system?

From several articles that have reviewed and compared these different laser types, it has been found that a very common immune response after tattoo removal is hypersensitivity. During tattoo removal with picosecond lasers, allergic anaphylaxis often occurs in patients undergoing this procedure.

What is the ghost effect after tattoo removal?

“Ghosting” can sometimes occur after tattoo removal, where your skin retains a pale white shadow of the original image – as such, speaking to a practitioner beforehand is important, as this can be more noticeable on darker skin tones.

What organs do tattoos affect?

In animal studies, tattoo pigments have been found in the kidney, the liver, and the spleen. Therefore, although this has never been studied in humans, exposure to hazardous ingredients of tattoo inks and even subsequent cancer development should not be ruled out.

Is tattoo ink toxic to the liver?

A recent review found that the number of skin cancers in tattooed skin was low, and therefore seems coincidental, however a number of carcinogens that have been found in tattoo inks have been associated with cancers elsewhere in the body, such as the liver or bladder.

Do tattoos have negative health effects?

While complication rates from reputable and appropriately certified tattooists are low, there are health risks associated with tattoos: infection, including bacterial skin infections or viral hepatitis. allergic reactions to the ink. scarring.

Can temporary tattoos make you sick?

The Food and Drug Administration warns the ink in some temporary tattoos can cause serious allergic reactions. The FDA says people are reporting these bad reactions after they received temporary tattoos that contain black henna ink.

How do you treat a tattoo flu?

Antibiotics are a common treatment for tattoo infections. Depending on the diagnosis and severity, it may take multiple antibiotics to clear the infection. Many people need to be on these drugs for up to six weeks. For severe infections, intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be necessary.

Do tattoos affect your immune system?

As noted above, when you get a tattoo, the body's immune system immediately bolsters itself to fight off infection, but research has found that this happens not just at the “injured” tattoo site but throughout the entire body, and the response has shown to be cumulative.

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