Semi-permanent tattoo dye is a great way to test a design before getting a real tattoo.
Draw Your Design
The best way to draw your design is to sketch it on paper first. The resulting image is much more likely to be accurate than an improvised sketch. Using a drafting pencil for this step is a good idea, as it’s less likely to stain your skin. If you opt for a pen, avoid using it in the area you plan to put your design on! The pen above can be used to trace your design or scribble it onto carbon paper using a standard graphite pencil. The latter is less likely to stain your skin but may prove more difficult to draw your design on if you need a drafting pencil.
Splash It With Hairspray
Hairsprays are a personal care product that helps hold a style by coating the hair with film-forming chemicals. These chemicals are referred to as polymers and long-chain chemical compounds that are applied as fine mists. Once dry, the sprays form invisible films that bond the hair fibers. They can help hold styles such as updos and curls and are used in many products designed for styling hair. The hair sprays made today for the cosmetic market have evolved from simple formulations of hair-holding agents to contain several additives to modify their effect on the hair. For example, plasticizers are added to make hairspray less brittle and flexible and control resin solubility. Hairsprays can also be used for various other purposes, including preventing static cling between tights and dresses or removing permanent marker stains.
Cover It With Baby Powder
A little bit of baby powder can cover up your semi-permanent tattoo, especially if it’s a dark or shady design. Just pour a substantial amount into your palm and thoroughly coat the Sharpie drawing with it, ensuring it doesn’t bleed or smear when you rub it into your skin. Good baby powder will absorb excess moisture, keeping your tattoo from fading and drying out quickly. It should also be nonporous and smudge-proof, protecting your tattoo from rain and sweating. Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is another common ointment that you may already have in your bathroom cabinet. It can help shield your tattoo from spraying with water in the shower, but it should be used only as a temporary shield. Excessive or prolonged use of petroleum jelly can cause the tattoo to dry out and eventually peel and may also cause your ink to fade. It can even set you up for an infection and poor healing.
