Is pen/sharpie bad for your skin?

Question

I love to draw on myself and make all sorts of patterns with pen and sharpie. My mom doesn't really like it because she thinks it could affect my health. I really need to know if it does cause not drawing on myself would be like not eating to me. I know that its probably not the best thing for your skin, but i just need to know if you could get like poisoned or something. ive read different answers everywhere, ive read that it doesn't matter, that it does, that it doesn't do anything, but i dont know...

Answer 1

Though their label bears the Approved Product certification symbol (meaning that in small quantities, the ink is not harmful to humans), the Sharpie official response to your question is:

"Sharpie Markers are not to be used on skin. Only markers that specify they are safe for use on skin are recommended to be used on skin. Sanford does not manufacture markers for skin. We advise you to consult your physician for information related to the health effects of writing on your skin with permanent markers."

According to Wikipedia, the manufacturer's safety data sheets (MSDS) for Sharpies cite the following ingredients: "n-propanol, n-butanol, diacetone alcohol, and cresol. The first of these, n-propanol, is commonly used in cosmetics. The other three, however, are industrial solvents, chemicals that should not be sniffed, eaten, or put on the skin. As solvents they penetrate the skin and fingernails, and do enter the bloodstream." Apparently, the MSDS are "ambiguous with respect to how much should be considered a hazardous dosage, but do warn of kidney, liver, and brain damage, other nervous disorders, and DNA effects resulting in birth defects."

So, short answer - don't write on yourself with Sharpie. If you've got to do it, use pens with water-based inks. I used to use Pilot Precise brand pens. You may also want to consider mendhi or henna pens like this one http://www.besthenna.com/about.html since they will probably remain somewhat more permanently than Sharpies, and are certainly more healthy and natural. There are tons of henna kits like this available on the market: http://motherearthscreations.ecrater.com...