Sprays, Tans, Tattoos Designed for Looking Good at California Beaches
Do you want to look cool this summer when you head for the beach? You are not alone! Millions of Americans get sprayed, tattoeed and inked either to fit in or to stand out among the crowd. A new Safe Body Art Act goes into effect July 1, 2012, regulating tattooing and body piercing businesses in California. It won’t affect non-permanent tattoo art (shown in photos) that kids & adults get just for fun and can wash away. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger fought against the new laws because he felt it was too much regulation. But our elected representatives chose almost unanimously to get new regulations that specify use of gloves and sterile equipment on the books. Hepatitis, HIV and other serious illnesses can apparently be contracted if appropriate procedures aren’t followed.
Another safety issue that has come to light recently is spray tans. A chemical used used in them, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), has the potential to cause genetic alterations and damage. Spray-on tans have been referred to as the safe alternative to tanning under ultraviolet lights, but now come into question. Users are recommended to either avoid this method of tanning, or cover their breathing passages when spray is applied.
TEMPORARY TATTOOS:
- Temporary transfer tattoos made of ink and glue applied to the outer surface of the skin fade away typically after 3–5 days. Temporary tattoos are sold in California at farmers markets, in vending machines, at boutiques and can be customized and printed through a color laser printer using specialty color laser transfer paper.
- Henna tattoos use inks that can contain black henna with para-phenylenediamine. It occasionally can cause allergic reactions and scarring
- Temporary airbrush tattoos are created by placing a stencil to the skin and delivering alcohol-based tattoo inks or tribal airbrush tattoo paint with an airbrush. Unlike temporary transfer tattoos, the artist can control delicate elements of the temporary tattoo while it is being produced, which is more similar to the true permanent tattoo experience. You can buy your own kit with stencils but you’ll often find temporary airbrush tattoos at beach events where sponsors offer logo designs that are appealing.
- Temporary tattoo drawn in ballpoint pen in which ink is applied directly to skin are some of the most realistic looking non-permanent tattoos. Toxicity studies of ballpoint ink are inconclusive.
