Name: Keith
Message: Hi, could you please let me know if you purchase or homemake a non-toxic food grade dye to temporarily stain your skin for tatooing? Similar properties to that of henna or that can be airbrushed and lasts longer than just washing off. Can anything be added to food color that temporarily sets it and stains the skin for a few days? THANK YOU!

I do not know of any such additive, sorry. In theory, perhaps a small amount of an acidic food such as vinegar might help, as food dyes are in the class of dyes called acid dyes, but I have seen no evidence that this will (or will not) increase the effectiveness of food dye on skin.

In my experience, ordinary food coloring takes many washings to remove from the skin completely, after having been applied by airbrush, but it does smear easily in the presence of even the slightest amount of moisture. It is important to avoid touching light-colored furniture or objects while wearing food coloring on the skin.

Beware of "black henna", by the way. I have read that the synthetic hair dyes that are often added to real henna to make black designs on the skin may be quite hazardous. Alternative shades of henna that are prepared by mixing natural indigo powder with natural henna powder are much safer.

I have seen "Temporary Tattoo Making Kits" on the web which use inkjet prints to create the tattoo. I do not approve of this practice, as inkjet inks are not tested for safety on the skin and might possibly cause problems similar to those produced by the synthetic dye PPD found in black henna. Your plan to use food coloring is much sounder. It is not necessary for the dyes to be food-safe, for use on the skin, as there are some dyes which are considered safe for use on the skin though not in food, the D&C colors. Look at the cosmetic-safe colorants at the Coloration Station; I have never purchased from this company, but am impressed by the range of their cosmetic-safe colorations.

Safe food coloring may also be purchased in the form of marking pens; try a web search for the brand 'FooDoodler', for example. (Try drawing faces on marshmallows before microwaving them for a few seconds - they expand in a way that amuses children very much!)

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