Writing notes on hands, arms, and even legs appears to be very common in high school and even beyond (re: Sarah Palin).
I could find no scientific research that indicates the skin is permeable to the ink found in regular pens. There have been several studies on the safety of India Ink which is used to mark mucosa in pre-surgery patients (deemed to be safe) and additional studies on ink used in tattoos. Tattoo ink is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may contain metal salts.
Source:http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa121602a.htm
I write on my hands all the time. If it is bad for me I must be dying right now.
ReplyDeleteI always write on my arms and legs and my friends arms and legs so i am glad to know that this is not dangerous!! I wonder if permanent markers are dangerous?
ReplyDeleteI write on my hyands all the time to remember due dates. Are Sharpies any worse than regular pen??
ReplyDeleteI've always written on my legs and arms to remind myself to do soomething etc. I heard awhile ago that it was toxic to do so because it prevented your skin from breathing and caused ink poising. Does it possibly depend on the brand of a pen and what is used in that brand's ink?
ReplyDeleteMy dad always tells me not to write on myself. Has there been any cases of anyone getting ink poisioning from tattoos, pens or sharpies?
ReplyDeletePermament markers, such as sharpies,are a bit of a different story. Many brands contain a chemical in the ink known as xylene. Although a little smudge here and there from a sharpie isn't a big deal, it isn't recommended to draw all over with a sharpie. Other brands of permamanet markers also use an alcohol base in their ink, which can irrate sensitive skin. Also, remeber those scented markes? Well, they are also permament and can also contain xylene.
ReplyDeleteSo if you must write on yourself, it is recommended that you keep only non-toxic, water-based pens and markers around. Better safe then sorry.
LINK: http://www.wisegeek.com/is-it-true-that-writing-on-skin-is-unhealthy-or-risky.htm
I read that the main concern is that the xylene that may be in permanent markers will cause toxicity. This usually will not happen unless you inhale it or if the ink enters a cut in your skin.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wisegeek.com/is-it-true-that-writing-on-skin-is-unhealthy-or-risky.htm
You should not write on your skin with sharpie, it is not supposed to be used on skin. You should only use markers that are safe to use on skin.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.chacha.com/question/does-writing-on-yourself-with-markers-or-sharpies-damage-your-skin-at-all
I researched this and found that Sharpies contain toxic chemicals that are harmful if ingested. If you are going to write on your skin it is better to used a water-based ink or "skin-approved" pen.
ReplyDeletehttp://ask.yahoo.com/20041231.html