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          Tattoos and Permanent Make-upWomen's Health Topics Tattoos and Permanent Make-up
  
  					From the FDA Office of Women's Health
	
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    PrintWoman getting permanent eyebrow makeup, Woman with henna tattoos on her hands, Woman getting a dragon tattoo on her back

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Some women get tattoos for beauty, self-expression, or cultural events.  Whatever your reason, know the facts before and after you get a tattoo.

Types of Tattoos
	Tattoo Risks
	FDA's Role
	Tattoo Removal OptionsTypes of Tattoos

**Permanent Tattoo**: A needle inserts colored ink into your skin. Permanent tattoos last **a lifetime**.
	**Permanent Make-Up**: A needle inserts colored ink into your skin to look like eyeliner, lip liner, eyebrows or other make-up.
	**Henna**: Plant dye called henna or mehndi is used to stain your skin.
	**Black Henna**: Developed from henna, may contain hair dye or other dye to darken the stain and make it last longer.
	**'Sticker' Temporary Tattoo**: A tattoo design is on a coated paper. It is put on your skin with water. Temporary tattoos may last up to 3-4 weeks. Sticker tattoos last hours to days.Tattoo Risks

Problems can happen.

Infections and serious illness, like HIV or hepatitis, from unclean tattoo tools, practices, or products
	Allergic reactions to the inks or stains can cause skin problems, such as rashes
	Other skin problems like increased chance of sunburn, bumps, redness, or scarring
	Swelling and burning of the tattoo when you get an MRI test
	Pain and high costs if you want to remove a permanent tattooContact your state or local health department for tattoo safety information to reduce your risk. Tell your doctor about any tattoos you have before any medical procedure.

FDA's Role

FDA --

has not approved any inks for injecting into your skin.
	has not approved henna or hair dye for use on your skin. Some people have reported serious skin problems after using henna or black henna.
	does not regulate tattoo parlours.
	**does** monitor problems from tattoos and permanent make-up.**Report problems online to FDA** or call 1-800-332-1088

Removing Your Tattoo

Permanent tattoos can be hard and painful to remove. It may take several treatments that cost a lot of money. Talk to your doctor about your options. Remember:

You may not be able to completely remove your tattoo.
	You could get a scar when you remove your tattoo.Laser Removal

The FDA approves certain laser devices to remove tattoos. Lighter colors such as yellow, green, and red are more difficult to remove than darker colors such as dark blue and black. It may take 6-10 treatments to remove a tattoo. Some side effects may include bleeding, redness or soreness.

Surgery

Tattoos can sometimes be removed by cutting out the tattooed skin then sewing the skin back together. Other times, the skin can be sanded down to remove the tattoo.

Ointments and Creams

The FDA does not approve tattoo removal ointments and creams or do-it-yourself tattoo removal kits. These products may cause skin rashes, burns or scars.

Learn More About Tattoos

Think Before You Ink: Are Tattoos Safe?
	Temporary Tattoos, Henna/Mehndi, and "Black Henna"
	Other Tips about Tattoos and Permanent MakeupResources For You

Think Before You Ink: Are Tattoos Safe?
	Inked and Regretful: Removing Tattoos
	Inks Used in Certain Tattoo Kits Cause Infections
	College Women's Health
	Get Other FDA Publications for Women
	For Women Homepage

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      02/16/2018
              
              
Topic(s)
			  Consumer HealthHealth Topic(s)
			  Skin CareWomen's Health Topics

          
                        Aging
          Anxiety
          Caregiving
          Cholesterol medicines
          Clinical trials
          Contact lens care
          Cosmetics
          Depression
          Diabetes
          Dietary supplements
          Food safety
          Heart health
          High blood pressure
          HIV
          HPV
          Mammography
          Medication safety
          Medicine and pregnancy
          Menopause
          Osteoporosis
          Pain medicines
          Pregnancy
          Sleep problems
          Smoking
          Tattoos and permanent makeup
          Uterine fibroids


                        Pregnancy Exposure Registries
          Free publications for women
 
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