I’m guessing you’ve probably
heard of the “semi-permanent” tattoo – the one that only
lasts 6 months.
Or was that 6 years? No one
seems to know, because it can’t be done. However, the
rumours
are real – there are even some tattooists claiming they can
do it – some of them say the tattoo will last six months to
a year. Some say 3 to 5 years. The 3-5 year ones are
actually smarter - I mean, who's going to even be able to
find them in 3-5 years to tell them they were wrong?
Why do people want a
semi-permanent tattoo anyway? Why is this idea so popular?
Because they don’t like commitment! Over 40% of American
marriages end in divorce – and sometimes you have to live
with a tattoo longer than your spouse! So, it is easy to see
why the idea of a tattoo with a short commitment would be
appealing to many. Change your mind? No problem! In a few
months it’ll be gone anyway!
NOT!
The fact is, when you insert
tattoo ink under the skin, it's there to stay. It may fade
over time, but it won't just disappear. There is no magical
ink that fades completely away after a predetermined length
of time.
Some of them will say that they
tattoo the ink so lightly that it doesn't become permanent -
that somehow it's only embedded in a temporary layer of skin
that will wash it away. This is also impossible. There are 3
main layers of epidermis - most tattoos go into the second
layer. But if you only go into the first layer (which would
require surgical if not magical precision) the ink may very
well fade - but not evenly and not completely. What you'd be
left with is a really crappy half-tattoo with splotches of
ink here and there.
Klicks Tattoo quotes an article
from The Times where Dr. Arthur Morris, a plastic surgeon,
says, "A tattoo only lasts if it goes into the dermis [the
layer of cells below the epidermis]. In other words, there
is no possible middle ground." In the same article, Lal
Hardy, a secretary for the A.P.T., is quoted as saying,
"Professional tattoo studios won't go near these so-called
temporary tattoos. It is hairdressers and market stalls who
are doing them. The people doing it may even believe the
tattoos are temporary, but those getting them are guinea
pigs."
So, basically, this is nothing
but a scam. Stick-on tattoos are temporary (3-7 days) and
henna art is temporary (2-4 weeks) and tattoos are
permanent. Those are the only real choices you have. If you
are not prepared to keep your tattoo for the rest of your
life, you'd be best off not to get one at all.
