Are Temporary Kids Tattoos a Health Risk?

Sensationalism in the media about kids' tattoos risks

The media loves a good story. In fact, I can think of at least one very rich media magnate (William Randolph Hearst), who explicitly advised that the truth should never get in the way of one! When it comes to stories with the potential to be widely read, and even more widely discussed, there are few that are better than stories about kids being made sick by big corporations. You may have read stories about children having their lives effectively ruined by temporary kids tattoos including an exotic ingredient. Today we check out the truth about black henna, the ingredient in question, and kids' tattoos in general ... and find that temporary tattoos are as safe as making mud pies in the backyard!

What's all the fuss about?

Some temporary kids tattoos are made with black henna. While henna is a natural product which has been in use for thousands of years, is very safe and approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in the use, black henna is not.

Black henna sometimes contains an ingredient known as para-phenylene-diaime or PPD. Exposure to this chemical often causes lifelong sensitivity, an issue which can mean that contact dermatitis develops when people are exposed to ordinary materials like black clothing, inks, hair dye, dyed fur and leather and some photographic products. Bronchial asthma attacks and pharyngeal irritation often occur also. There are also unproven associations with several forms of cancer.

Ordinary kids tattoos DO NOT use PDD!

Black henna is a terrible product. However, it is important to know that ordinary, water-transfer kids tattoos DO NOT use black henna. Exposure to PPD in black henna inks usually occurs at carnivals and shows, where travelling henna artists are selling designs that last a few weeks (rather than a few days) for several dollars. They are painted on, not transferred with water like normal kids tattoos.

Red brown henna does not contain PPD either

You can also be confident that ordinary red-brown coloured henna does not contain PPD either. The PPD-containing chemical is used specifically to make the ink black in colour, so you can be confident that red-brown henna won't harm your skin.

So, are normal kids tattoos safe?

Yes! Any reputable Australian kids tattoo manufacturer will comply with Australian Standards on Toxicological Requirements for Children's Toys. The Australian Government Analytical Laboratories tests the materials that go into temporary kids tattoos that make the standard, not the manufacturer - so you can be absolutely certain they are made of ingredients recognised as safe.

Of course, every individual is different and in some rare cases an allergy to a specific ordinary pigment or ingredient develops. Usually, this won't cause anywhere near the levels of problems that black henna tattoos can cause. See your doctor if you're concerned about dermatitis from a kids' tattoo ... but know that our Australian manufacturers have to abide by very strict safety standards, and on the whole, your children will be safe!

Are Temporary Kids Tattoos a Health Risk?

By: Mia Cusack

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