The permanence and process of a traditional tattoo can be scary

I don’t like needles but I love the idea of ​​putting on body art or skin decoration. I’m also not too excited about sticking with a ‘needle’ tattoo that I might hate in the future. Have you put a price on tattoo removal processes lately? The cost of tattoo removal is at least 3 times higher than getting the tattoo! After doing some research, I discovered some fantastic alternatives to body art and I’m going to give them a try (no pun intended) long before I jump into the nearest tattoo parlor.

Tattoo Alternative #1 – The Natural Beauty of Henna Tattoos

Henna tattoos have made a comeback and I can certainly understand why. The dried and powdered Lawsonia Inermis henna plant is made into a paste and applied to skin first treated with mehlabiya oil. The paste is then applied to the skin using a stencil design.

Henna tattoo stencils come in an incredible variety of designs and can be reused. In fact, once the paste dries after an hour or two, the paste can be reapplied 2-3 more times to intensify the color to a dark brown or almost black. If the paste is used only once, dried and removed, the color continues to darken to a reddish or rusty orange hue. It reminds me of self tanning lotion in that sense.

The application of henna tattoos does not require a license and is considered safe for all skin types (except those who have an allergic reaction to henna). Henna tattoos can last up to 4 weeks, taking care not to rub the area and protecting the tattoo with Vaseline in chlorinated water.

Kits vary in price, but the average cost of a henna kit, including the paste, stencil(s), and other necessary supplies, is less than $20. In fact, one bottle of Henna dye can create around 25 medium-sized tattoos.

Tattoo Alternative #2: Body Piercings

Yes, we are quite aware of countless holes in the earlobes and cartilage of the ear, nose, tongue, lip, eyebrow, and belly button rings. However, the days of face piercings are long gone as more employers have increased bans on wearing this “distracting and unprofessional” body art at work. The best thing about piercings, though, is that the jewelry can be removed (or changed) on demand. My only issue with body piercings is the healing time, which varies considerably, depending on the area pierced:

  • Earlobe 6 to 8 weeks
  • Ear cartilage 4 months to 1 year
  • eyebrow 6 to 8 weeks
  • Nose 2 to 4 months
  • Nasal septum 6 to 8 months
  • Nasal bridge 8 to 10 weeks
  • tongue 4 weeks
  • Lip 2 to 3 months
  • Teats 3 to 6 months
  • 4 months to 1 year
  • Female genitalia 4 to 10 weeks
  • Male genitalia 4 weeks to 6 months

I do worry about infections with body piercings, but not as much as with a traditional tattoo that can be hard to reach (like on the back of a shoulder) to keep clean and bandaged.

Tattoo Alternative #3: Temporary Tattoos

Now, temporary tattoos might just be the ticket and the best option of all as a traditional tattoo alternative. Temporary tattoos are made of special paper and covered with special silicone. Once wet and placed on an area of ​​the body for a minute or so, the colored ‘tattoo’ design ‘glides off’ and transfers to the skin.

Like henna tattoos, temporary tattoos can last up to about 4 weeks if cared for: do not scrub, scratch clothing, or rub against them. Plus, just like henna tattoos, temporary tattoos are safe (kids get them in gumball machines all the time) and have gotten just as sophisticated as traditional tattoos—no needles, no permanence.

The really fun thing about temporary tattoos is that you can design your own, online, for little more than a ready-made temporary tattoo design.

Summary of Tattoo Alternatives

So celebrate an occasion, speak your mind, dare to be different! Try some of these alternative tattoo ideas and have fun adorning your body in a new way. Invite your friends over for a “Happy Henna Day” or design and order some custom tattoos for the bridesmaids at a wedding. Think outside the box.

“Alternative tattoos” are trendy, different, and can be removed or removed if you don’t want to live with them for the rest of your life.