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Blush Tattooing Is Trending—Here’s What Dermatologists Have to Say About It

Blush Tattooing Is Trending—Here’s What Dermatologists Have to Say About It featured image
Farol 106 on Unsplash

Getting high-maintenance treatments once in a while in an effort to be low-maintenance on the day-to-day has become the norm for many beauty enthusiasts. Whether it’s microblading your eyebrows or getting laser hair removal, sometimes a bit of extra time (and pain) upfront can save you tons down the line. Recently, blush tattoos have gained popularity—first on the lips and now on the cheeks. While it would be nice to have eternally rosy cheeks and skip daily blush application, it seems too good to be true, so we checked in with some expert dermatologists to get their take on the trend.

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What is blush tattooing?

“Blush tattooing is the application of semi-permanent pigment into the skin,” explains West Palm Beach, FL dermatologist Ken Beer, MD. New York dermatologist Elaine Kung, MD notes that it has “gained popularity as a convenient way to achieve a rosy glow without daily makeup.” These semi-permanent tattoos can last anywhere from a few months to two years.

Are blush tattoos safe?

While the concept of blush tattoos is enticing, the experts aren’t so sure how safe the practice is just yet. Dr. Kung notes that there’s a growing concern about the safety of the ingredients used in the inks. “Recent research from Binghamton University revealed that many tattoo inks contain undisclosed substances. A significant number of analyzed inks had ingredients not listed on their labels,” she says. “This raises serious questions about the potential health risks, particularly allergic reactions.”

Red pigments, commonly used in blush and lip tattoos, are known to trigger allergic responses like swelling, itching and blistering, which may not appear until months or even years after the tattoo, says Dr. Kung. “The lack of transparency in ingredient labeling makes it difficult to identify potential allergens and take preventive measures. This can leave individuals vulnerable to unexpected and severe reactions.”

Would you recommend blush tattooing for your patients?

Dr. Beer says blush tattoos are not something he would advocate for due to the duration of the dye and the possibility that it gets infected or leads to an allergic reaction. Dr. Kung is also a skeptic, noting that she advises anyone considering a blush tattoo to carefully research the expert performing it and the inks they use.

“It’s crucial to be aware of potential side effects, including infections,” says Dr. Kung. Additionally, “individuals undergoing aesthetic laser procedures should disclose any semi-permanent tattoos, as the ink pigments may interact with laser wavelengths, causing unwanted side effects.”

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