A press-on butterfly tattoo may seem like an easy alternative to the pain and permanency of real ink, but the Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that temporary tattoos aren't risk free. FDA officials cautioned that temporary tattoos can cause allergic reactions, in a May 13 seminar on the agency's website.
Temporary tattoos, such as those applied to the skin with a moistened wad of cotton, fade several days after application. FDA has issued an import alert for certain foreign-made temporary tattoos containing colors that are not permitted for this use or don't carry the FDA-mandated list of ingredients. Additionally, FDA has received reports of allergic reactions to temporary tattoos.