Halachot and Customs
Temporary Tattoo and Permanent Makeup
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I read on the website an answer to the question: 'What is the difference between a tattoo and permanent makeup?' which was recently published. In the answer, Rabbi Binyamin Shmueli states that permanent makeup is permitted because it is temporary and "does not penetrate the skin deeply." Temporary tattoos are done with the same technique as permanent makeup—they "do not penetrate below the dermis layer" as defined by tattoo artists, and they fade after several years like permanent makeup. Therefore, I ask, does it not have the same halachic status? Is a temporary tattoo permitted? Additionally, I understand that a "tattooed inscription" is problematic, so is there a restriction on inscriptions with text even in temporary tattoos, or does that not apply?
Thank you very much in advance. I hope I am not burdening you; this is simply a question that concerns me, and I would be glad to discover the answer.
Answer
Greetings and blessings, I shortened my previous answer. Maran added another reason to be lenient, each of which is decisive. A tattoo is a complete picture or letter, whereas permanent makeup is only a line. Permanent makeup is for adornment, but a tattoo is not considered adornment. Therefore, one should not permit a tattoo under any circumstances.
With blessings, Binyamin Shmueli
עברית
