Try henna if worried about metals in tattoo inks

People who have tattoos may have something to think about - presence of dangerous levels of heavy metals in inks and pigments (including lead, arsenic, chromium, etc.)

While tattoos are popular worldwide, according to statistics collected by The American Environmental Safety Institute, as many as 40 million Americans have at least one tattoo. The reasons are varied. In a Harris poll, one out of three say that having a tattoo makes them feel sexier, with 42% of women as compared to 25% of men making this observation. A similar number said that their tattoos made them feel more rebellious, while 26% felt the tattoo made them feel more attractive.

A California Superior Court judge, citing health risks of lead and arsenic in tattoo inks, has ordered two major tattoo-ink manufacturers to carry warning labels in only that state. This warning may not be seen to products available in other states but is clearly something to think about as you make up your mind about getting a tattoo.

What about alternatives?

The latest fashion craze is to have henna tattoos - they are not permanent, but being 100% natural, they have essentially no side risks. Plus, if you want to try a new pattern, all you need to do is to wait for the previous pattern to disappear naturally (usually one to four weeks depending on the menhdi used, your skin color, how often you shower, how much exposure the tattoo gets to sun, and what type of soap you use).

Related article: Henna tattoos steps and styles