Product Safety

How can you tell if a temporary tattoo is safe?

There are several things to look for when you are choosing a temporary tattoo. First of all, you should always make sure that the tattoos are non-toxic. This is especially critical if you are planning to apply the tattoos to your children. A non-toxic temporary tattoo is far less likely to cause any kind of reaction on the child’s skin.

The second thing you want to look out for is the ink used by the company. You need to make sure the dyes are FDA-Euro certified colorants and they comply with CSPC/CPSIA and ASTM requirements. This means that the dyes used in the tattoos will not be harmful to the skin. This is an important attribute because there are legal colorants on the market that can damage your skin. Temporary tattoos are worn directly on the skin, and if the ingredients are NOTnon-toxic, they can make you sick.

The last thing to look for is that the tattoos are made by a reputable company. takeatattoo.com has been the industry leader in temporary tattoos for 21 years.

 

How do I know the difference?

There are a few types of temporary tattoos you should be familiar with:

The most widely used temporary tattoo comes as a water transfer temporary tattoo (water transfer). The tattoo is an image printed on water-permeable paper. The paper is placed ink-side down and applying moisture transfers the image to the skin. The FDA and Euro controls 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). Many water-transfer-type tattoos that are manufactured in China or Taiwan do not meet these standards. Do not buy water transfer-type temporary tattoos that give no indication of the ingredients used to manufacture them. You also want to steer clear of temporary tattoos that are digitally printed on temporary tattoo transfer paper. Digital inks are not safe to be worn on the skin and can cause irritation.

Airbrush temporary tattoos are also increasingly popular; however, they do not always look as good or last as long as water transfer temporary tattoos, but are also a safe choice. The method of application is having the tattoo design sprayed on by an artist using a stencil with alcohol-based, FDA-Euro approved cosmetic inks. If you are thinking about this kind of tattoo, be sure to ask the tattoo artist what kind of ink is used before proceeding. Airbrush temporary tattoos are also easily removed with rubbing alcohol or baby oil.

Many temporary tattoos received at theme parks or on beaches are henna-based tattoos. Henna is a plant-derived substance which is painted on the skin, staining it a reddish-orange-to-brown colour. Henna typically lasts a couple weeks if it is applied correctly, but it does not resemble a real tattoo and, due to the process of application and length of drying time, is typically not a good option for children. If you do choose henna temporary tattoos ensure it is pure henna. Brown, plant-derived henna, tends to cause no allergic reaction and is generally safe for use on all skin types. ***WARNING: Serious problems can occur from the use of henna with certain additives. The FDA reports that “black henna” hand-painted temporary tattoos are especially dangerous, so be sure to ask what is being used. (Note: This does not apply to water transfer-style temporary tattoos with a henna design.) Water transfer henna temporary tattoos are completely safe!

Testing and Compliance

We take pride in our products. Please note that all products manufactured by Takeatattoo.com are tested annually to ensure that they meet or exceed the following regulations and requirements.

USA

21 CFR (73, 74, 81, 82, 700 to 740): Cosmetic Label Review

16 CFR 1500: Mechanical and Physical Testing, Toxicological Risk Assessment (TRA)

16 CFR 1303: Lead in Surface Coating

Cal Prop 65: Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium, phthalates (CPSIA)

21 CFR 700.13: Mercury in Cosmetics

Soluble Heavy Metals: CPSIA 2008: Consumer Product Safety, Section 106 (ASTM F963-11-4.3.5.1(2))

Soluble Heavy Metals: CPSIA 2008: Consumer Product Safety, Section 106 (ASTM F963-11-4.3.5.1(2))

Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr in Packaging: Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (NERC)

16 CFR 1500.14(a, b) (8): LHAMA Review (ASTM D-4236)

USP <51>, <61>, <62>: Microbial analysis

Europe

2009/48/EC: Toxicological Risk Assessment (TRA)

1223/2009/EC: Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) A & B

94/62/EC: Packaging and Packaging Waste

EN 71-1:2011: Mechanical and Physical Testing

EN 71-2: Flammability

EN 71-3: Migration of Certain (Heavy) Metals

EN 71-9 Series: Primary Aromatic Amines, Colorants, Solvent migrations, Preservatives

EC 1907/2006 REACH, Annex XVII, Item 51 & 52 – Phthalates

EC 1907/2006 REACH, Article 59(10): Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)

USP <51>, <61>, <62>: Microbial analysis

Canada

SOR/2011-17, SC 2010, c21: Toxicological Risk Assessment (TRA)

C.R.C.c. 869: Cosmetic Labeling Review

R.S.Q., c. C-11: Charter of the French Language

SOR/2011-17: Mechanical and Physical Testing

SOR/2005: Surface Coating Materials – Lead

SOR/2010-298: Phthalates Regulation

SOR/2010-298 (Heavy Metal Impurities): ASTM F963

USP <51>, <61>, <62>: Microbial analysis