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Writing on your skin probably won't kill you, but it's not exactly healthy, either. While most writing inks are nontoxic, they do contain chemicals that can be poisonous if ingested in large amounts. According to Health Central, you generally have to swallow at least an ounce (that's several pens' worth) of writing ink to induce poisoning. You'll find an entertaining discussion about ink poisoning on the blog This End Down. Though most of the contributions come from middle schoolers who enjoy drawing on themselves
while bored in class, we found some helpful resources, such as the Health Central link. One curious reader wrote the Sharpie company, and received this reply: 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. The blog Dandruff also weighs in on the issue, recommending that if you must write on yourself, do it with water-based ink. You
might also want to seek out skin safe markers -- this English company makes nifty UV-reactive pens for skin art.
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