One of the main attractions at birthday parties or kids’ events is often a (fake) tattoo or face-paint artist. Kids flock to these guys who skillfully add that extra cheer to your baby’s cheek or arm. And while that makes your little one happy, as parents we must be aware of the risks of kids having an allergic reaction to temporary tattoos, or even face-paint sometimes.
What would you do if someone offered to give your baby a real tattoo? What could be the health implications of that? Who would even tattoo a baby in the first place? you must be wondering. But, recently, a video surfaced of one tattoo artist who is seen inking a toddler’s chest with what looks like a permanent tattoo of a cartoon character.
Baby gets some ink!
Disturbing footage of the baby being inked has surfaced on the internet with a caption that says, ‘Baby gets some ink.’ Take a look.
On one hand, the video has created outrage among netizens in general, especially parents. But on the other hand, the authenticity of this video is also doubtful. The baby is neither crying nor screaming in pain, and that’s why many viewers believe this video to be fake.
A comment on the video points this out, saying: “Grown men cry when they get a chest tattoo and this little child doesn’t react at all. Fake.” Whereas another comment says: “There’s a chance this is fake unless the baby is sedated. It’s just a stencil. If this was real the baby would be crying.”
The video clearly shows the little one wriggling around while he is “inked.” Also, an adult is holding the baby down, not allowing him to move.
In this case, we sincerely hope the video is fake and that the little one is unharmed and un-inked. However, it does remind us of the risks of even seemingly harmless temporary tattoos, with the most common outcome being an allergic reaction to temporary tattoos.
Allergic reaction to temporary tattoos in kids
Kids may have allergic reaction to temporary tattoos. | Image: screencapped from YouTube
How do allergic reactions to temporary tattoos show on the skin?
- Redness
- Blisters
- Raised red weeping lesions
- Loss of skin pigmentation
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Permanent scarring
How can various types of tattoos harm your baby’s skin?
1. Applicators
At times, microinjection machines are used even while creating temporary tattoos. These machines use a tiny needle to inject henna-based ink in the layers of skin. This ink fades away in a few weeks and the process doesn’t really hurt. However, it punctures your child’s skin. And that’s why UK’s Health and Safety Executive issued a warning that infections could be caused because of improper cleaning of tattoo machines. The infections can be as bad as HIV and hepatitis.
2. Decals
Temporary tattoo decals contain colour dyes that are approved as cosmetics by the Food and Drug Administration, USA. It implies that FDA has declared these dyes to be safe for direct contact with your skin. But there have been specific cases of minor skin irritation as well as redness and swelling due to the decals. So, parents should check the quality of ingredients when buying such decals for their kids.
3. Vegetable Henna
While vegetable henna is usually a safe option, it also depends upon your child’s skin sensitivity. Also, you can check the colour of the ink before it is applied on your child. Vegetable henna has a brown or reddish-brown colour. But if you notice that the colour is blue or black, talk to the artist. There are chances that some additives have been mixed. Find out what ingredients have gone into the ink. Allow your little one to get that tribal armband only after you have confirmed the quality of the vegetable henna.
4. Black Henna
Recently, seven-year-old Madison Gulliver suffered a terrible allergic reaction to temporary tattoos created using black henna.
Black henna may at times have high levels of a poisonous chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD). Cosmetic products contain PPD, but usually in very small amounts. Black henna on the other hand, can have this chemical in an unregulated quantity. It can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions in kids.
Sources: Metro, Fox News, Live Strong, YouTube
ALSO READ: Why you should never let your child get a black henna tattoo