You’ll be hard pressed to meet someone whose beliefs, interests, and hobbies have not changed over time. The same goes for tattoos. The tattoos of our past are not always regretted but, given the choice years later, you may choose an entirely different design, placement, artist, or style. That’s why temporary tattoos are being marketed to audiences much older than their typical customers. More twenty-somethings and even fifty-somethings are dabbling with temporary tattoos because they’re both a fun change of pace when you feel stuck in a rut, and offer the opportunity to test the waters with a design you may want to put on your body permanently.
To differentiate from the tattoos you’ll commonly find at a child’s birthday party, companies like inkbox and Tattly sell more mature — or even custom — designs at a higher quality. Most temporary tattoos look like a sticker or dried glue on the body and with every wash, the tattoo cracks or begins to peel off making their temporary status all the more obvious. But new techniques and ingredients are being used to make temporary tattoos look more real and last longer.
Tattly stands out because of their rich color and use of vegetable-based inks and non-toxic, high-quality adhesive. Their customer-base is atypical of a temporary tattoo company as well, with people aged 25-45 being the majority of online shoppers. But, how long do temporary tattoos last from Tattly? Elisabeth Morgan, a representative for the company, shared in an interview that the company’s tattoos typically last two to four days, but that can be extended based on placement and products applied to the area.
Unlike a permanent tattoo, Morgan instructs people not to use lotion on the area where their Tattly tattoo is placed because the oil can get under the adhesive and soften it so it peels. As far as where to place the tattoo, she says “areas on the body that don’t chafe against fabric work best, like the inner arm or a bare ankle.” While their tattoos are waterproof, excessive washing will drastically reduce its lifespan too.
While Tattly tattoos last only a few days, inkbox offers a semi-permanent option for people whose attention span lasts closer to two weeks.
Deborah Oomen, brand manager for inkbox, helps us understand what sets these semi-permanent tattoos apart, comparing them to temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes. “These tattoos [sink] into the top layer of your skin — the epidermis — and change its color. [It’s] like hair dye. Temporary hair dye will just slap color on top of your hair, and it’ll wash off easily. Semi-permanent hair dye will actually sink into the hair a little bit more and alter its color, making it last longer. inkbox tattoos use a semi-permanent tattoo technology, in the way that the ingredients in our ink work with the organic compounds in your skin to change its color.” Also like hair dye, the formula used in an inkbox tattoo takes time to develop and will look richer with every passing hour — reaching its peak at 36 hours.
Similar to Tattly and other temporary tattoos, the length of time you’ll be able to enjoy your inkbox tattoo depends on where you place it. Placing an inkbox tattoo on your wrist, for instance, which comes in constant contact with clothing, wristwatches and bracelets, and water, will not last as long as one placed on your forearm or shoulder. However, unlike traditional temporary tattoos, moisturizer and inkbox make excellent companions. “Using a moisturizing cream on the area daily is the best way to make it last longer,” Oomen continues. “Basically, just show that area of your body some extra TLC.”
So in short, how long do temporary tattoos last from inkbox? Generally, they last between one to two weeks but some customers report them lasting as long as three weeks. This gives people time to enjoy and deliberate over whether to make the design permanent or whether they should swap it with another design a few weeks later. Both Morgan and Oomen emphasize that, regardless of the tattoo lasting a few days or a few weeks, temporary and semi-permanent tattoos allow people to play with their identity and how they choose to express themselves publicly.
If you liked our post, “How Long Do Temporary Tattoos Last”, check out Best Tattoos For First Timers