Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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10 Year Tattoo

A tattoo that lasts 10 years.
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The purpose behind this idea is to create a tattoo that lasts 10 years. I think the idea of a lifetime commitment in having a tattoo turns away some people. If a tattoo lasts only 10 years people would them get them most likely in their younger years and would want to have it fade away later on.

As for fading away, it would have to be designed so it doesn't take a long time to go away. It should take a month at most. Different pigments can be designed to make a 1 year tattoo, a 5 year, and a 10 year.

hbomb, Jun 12 2003

(?) Tattoo of Blood http://www.pennandt...roadpenntattoo.html
3/10ths Baked... [dbsousa, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]

Microcapsules made out of polymethylmethacrylate http://www.sfgate.c.../24/MNGLLN35S21.DTL
Pretty much exactly what TD3 described here. [jutta, Jan 04 2007]

[link]






       Someone else just suggested fading tattoos, as a form of punishment. The idea seems to have faded, though.
DrCurry, Jun 12 2003
  

       If it's designed to fade away after a certain time, it's going to look pretty bad after half the time has elapsed, isn't it? I'm not boning it though 'cos I know many people might actually like this.
saker, Jun 12 2003
  

       I like. How about a tattoo coloring that you could make to vanish with a special "tatoo removal cream"? That way you don't have to wait a certain time period. After all, I like my tattoos but I could certainly go for a redecorate.
Ich Bins, Jun 12 2003
  

       Perhaps use ink which is broken down by UV light. These would not be so great for sun exposed areas, but would be suitable for sites where the sun dont shine. When your tired of your tattoo, you could visit the parlor where they would shine a bright light on it. I believe argon laser tattoo removal works on a similar principle, but less specific.
bungston, Jun 12 2003
  

       Argon laser tattoo removal works on the basis that tattoo'd flesh absorbs more energy and heats up more than the surrounding flesh, thus causing localized burning and tissue death. The dead tissue is then absorbed by the body, along with the ink.
Freefall, Jun 12 2003
  

       Yeesh! But if the ink can be absorbed, why doesn't the body do it before the laser treatment? What is it about deadness that makes ink more palatable to the body's absorbatrons?
bungston, Jun 12 2003
  

       I think the color particles are too big to be absorbed by the body. The laser breaks them down into smaller particles, which can be absorbed. <---conjecture
Ich Bins, Jun 12 2003
  

       Make some medication that bonds to the dye in the tatoo and then breaks it down under moderate UV irradiation. UV just by itself wouldn't do anything.   

       That way you can take the pill, wait 2 hours to digest it and then go to the tanning center, any time you want.   

       I think they make some medication like that to treat psoriasis and certain types of skin cancer, but I can't find the link.
kbecker, Jun 12 2003
  

       Tattoo artist to customer: Sorry sir, I misheard... it was the 10 *day* ink you wanted?!? Maybe you could try sun-glasses and a beard.
tsuchan, Jun 25 2003
  

       Make it a Three Year Tattoo, and it is baked, by Penn & Teller. It's called a Tattoo of Blood, and it involves getting a regular tattoo, but with no ink. The pattern lasts for about three years, and Lou Reed thought it was so cool, he included it in a song.
dbsousa, Jun 25 2003
  

       I'll tell you exactly how to do it. The key is a process called microencapsulation. This is already widely used in the pharmeceutical and beauty product industries for products as diverse as time delay medicines and scratch & sniff adverts.   

       You need biolabile - destructible dyes, possibly plant derivatives or synthetic, instead of insoluble mineral pigments such as carbon and mercuric sulfide, currently used in tattooing.   

       The dyes, which will be rapidly decolorized once released, are microencapsulated in a resistant, carefully designed material. This would be made from synthetic or semi synthetic polymers, as are presently employed for dissolving sutures.   

       By modifying the polymer microcapsules' composition, relatively predictable absorbtion times should be possible. For example, partially fluorinating the polymer, or cross-linking it will make it more durable. Having hydroxyls, for example will make it more attackable.   

       Now, these materials would idealy be tested for severity of foreign body reacton - carcinogenicity potentiall, etc., hopefully no more than present tattoo inks and implantable materials.   

       Basically the microcapsules would deteriorate slowly for a number of years, but the colors would not be yet affected. Then once the microcapsules are ruptured, the color would fade rapidly.
TD3, Sep 05 2004
  

       Good Idea. I mean it is messed up when you see a 70 year old guy with a punk rock tatoo on. I say we just play a nice game of Halo 2 and FOrget about all this.
Thoughtnaper_1, Jun 23 2005
  
      
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