עברית
Halachot and Customs
Is it Permissible to Have a Tattoo from Permanent Makeup?
Question
Hello and blessings, I wanted to know whether it is permissible according to halacha to have a tattoo from permanent makeup on the body, such as writing or a design.. Thank you very much
Answer
Hello,
There are those who prohibit and those who permit; Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l holds that someone who does it only for beauty and aesthetics has what to rely on, and we do not dismiss her. However, to cover and conceal a scar and to complement the shape of hair in the eyebrows is permitted even to begin with. But also according to his opinion, if it is merely a tattoo of writing or a design, it is not appropriate to be lenient at all.
Sources: Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l's opinion can be found in his book Taharat Habayit, part 3 (2019 edition, page 32). Also see Teshuvot V'etzbor Yosef, part 5 (section 78), Teshuvot Yavetz Yad, part Yoreh De'ah, section 31, Teshuvot Divrei Pinchas, part 2 (section 60), and Teshuvot Lev Aharon, part 2 (section 8), and Teshuvot Nezer Cohen, part 2 (section 24).
Best regards,
Hillel Meyers
