How Temporary Tattoos Work

Transfer tattoos have been around for a long time. They have come in bubble gum packages, are available at gas stations, and chances are you have probably already tried one of these tattoos at some point in your life, most likely as a child.

These tattoos are made of ink and glue and last for 3-5 days. To apply you simply remove the plastic sheet, place the image face down against your skin and wet down the back of the tattoo thoroughly. Carefully remove the backing and presto, you have a temporary tattoo that is rocking whatever design you picked!

Henna tattoos are very popular and are by far the most sought after tattoo at carnivals and county fairs. Henna tattoos are also knows as "Mehndi" and originates from south Asia. Henna is made from powdered leaves of the Henna plant and is made into a paste. The active dye in the paste binds with the keratin in the skin to give it it's long lasting effect.

Henna only allows for tattoos to be in shades of red, brown, and black. The paste is tattooed onto the skin but must be left on the skin for several hours to stain. A Henna tattoo can last up to 30 days depending on application and care.

These types of tattoos are applied to the surface of the skin and do not damage the skin at all. These tattoos are created by stencils and simply air brushing different color onto the stencil to give you the desired design. All different colors can be used for airbrush tattoos which opens up many possibilities for tattoo lovers.

The airbrush tattoo is primarily alcohol-based and if you apply baby powder to the tattoo several times a day, it will extend the life of the tattoo. Simply remove the tattoo by applying oil or an alcohol based solvent to remove the temporary tattoo.