Cosmetic skin tattoo

A temporary opaque tattoo for concealing veins, blemishes, wine marks, bruises, age marks and other skin conditions comprising a transfer patch to match skin tone and pigment holding an image of human skin. The image is transferred from the patch to the skin, thereby providing an opaque cover-up. An image of human skin in varying tones is provided to closely match and blend in with a variety of skin pigments and colorings. The tattoo may be of varying sizes and shapes to cover a particular skin imperfection. The tattoo may be embedded or coated with medication to provide a tattoo that both conceals and medicates a skin condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Shown in FIGS. 1 - 4 , is the skin tattoo in accordance with the present invention. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention is a tattoo which is comprised of a substrate layer 1 of film or sheet material which may be of any polymeric film formed of a flexible, porous, non-woven, compacted tissue or compacted fibrous translucent material. One surface of the substrate shall be imprinted, using FDA certified ingredients, with an image of skin 2 . The printing of the tattoo is accomplished by using a Four-Color Printing Process. The process involves the use of “feathered edging,” which is accomplished by using ink that is graduated in density. Specifically, the center portion of the tattoo contains the greatest density of ink. The density of ink gradually decreases toward the outer edges of the tattoo until a point where there is no ink. The graduated density of the ink creates a tattoo that is undetectable on the skin with no noticeable lines of demarcation at the edges. The opposite surface of substrate will contain a pressure sensitive and moisture transmissive adhesive 3 . The pressure sensitive material must also be hypoallergenic. The synthetic, acrylic adhesives such as those used on surgical tape are preferred. A disposable layer of film 4 will be placed on top of the substrate, and its purpose will be to protect the substrate layer until the image is to be transferred to the body. A final backing or carrier layer 5 which can be made of materials such as polymeric film or paper will have the image side of the tattoo placed against it. Additionally, this invention will be produced in a medicated version of the above described product. The medicated version would consist of the invention being treated with a healing agent such as microencapsulated bactericides 6 . The anti-bacterial material, which is water soluble, will be encased in shells which are of a size to be undetected by the naked eye. The microcapsules will be sprayed on or imbedded into the adhesive layer 3 of the tattoo, and will be released with the rubbing and pressure that takes place in the application process. Other healing agents such as aloe may be applied to the adhesive layer of the tattoo. The first step in the tattoo application process is to clean and dry the area of skin where the tattoo is to be placed. Next, one would remove and discard the top protective layer of film 4 on the “skin tattoo.” The substrate 1 will then be placed, adhesive 3 side down, on the problem area of skin which is to be concealed. The back of the carrier layer 5 is then dampened with a wetting solution, and is rubbed lightly while applying a degree of pressure which is held for approximately thirty seconds. At this point, the carrier layer 5 is removed and discarded. Remaining on the skin is an opaque photographic image 2 of skin which is nearly undetectable. The offending skin condition will be hidden while the skin will remain normal to both touch and sight, having no noticeable lines of demarcation between skin and tattoo. The “skin tattoo” would be offered in several different pigments to accommodate a large majority of the population. Many of the existing products such as face powders or concealers are available in three color choices: light, medium and dark. Because this product is being designed to be a true cover-up, an additional shade in each of the three tones would be added, such as extra light, light, medium light, medium, medium dark and dark. The consumer would then choose the shade which would appear closest to his or her natural skin tone. The tattoo, however, could be offered in a virtually unlimited number of skin tones. Each “skin tattoo” application is designed to remain intact on the body for three to seven days. The length of time varies according to skin type and its placement on the body. The “skin tattoo” may be removed by rubbing with alcohol or baby oil. The “skin tattoos” will be available in three different sizes. They consist of a 4×1 inch size, a 2×1 inch size, and a 1×½ inch size. The “skin tattoos” can easily be shaped to the exact size needed without affecting the viability of either the portion being sized, or the remaining portion, which could be used at a future date. The tattoo, however, may be offered in a virtually unlimited number of sizes. In marketing this product, it is believed that certain accessory items would enhance the product in the eyes of the consumer, and that these products could be offered as a single unit in the form of a kit. Each kit would contain approximately one dozen “skin tattoos”, one dozen sealed packets of wipes saturated with a skin cleansing product such as hydrogen peroxide (a product which appears to extend the life of the “skin tattoo” without interfering with the chemical process that is taking place), a spray bottle containing a wetting solution, and a small sponge. Additionally, a finishing powder may be placed on the tattoo. The finishing powder extends the life of the tattoo. The finishing powder prevents the tattoo from fading or darkening.