Just an inkling
Is writing on skin dangerous?
Photo by Elinor Melvin
Vicki Agrella, sophomore, writes a reminder on her hand after school. Agrella says the rumors she hears about ink damaging her health never give her pause.
Plenty of people write on their hands—school reminders when in a rush, therapeutic doodles when in slow moments—it’s a seemingly harmless habit. Nevertheless, rumors of skin cancer and ink poisoning from writing on skin persist. So the question has to be asked… are these rumors fact or fiction?
Sophomore Vicki Agrella’s hands are sometimes a page of notes, and other times a drawing canvas. Agrella has heard of these health concerns, but generally dismisses them as “wives’ tales,” she says.
“I suppose I’ve guessed that it’s not the best for your skin, just because it’s not supposed to be there in the first place, but I don’t think it’s going to affect me that much,” Agrella said. “I guess that I’ll take in mind [what I’ve heard], but it’s going to be sort of like the voice in the back of your head saying you shouldn’t do that.”
Catherine Norberg, french teacher, writes a reminder for her schedule the next day. “[My notes are] very purposeful [and meant] to help my students, usually,” Norberg said. “That seems pretty important.”
The health concerns are background noise for Catherine Norberg, french teacher, too, who says she writes reminders on her hand one to two times every day.
“I’m not afraid of the toxic nature of whatever writing utensil I’m using,” Norberg said. “I’m more glass is half full kinda girl, and I just like to feel like it’s gonna be okay, you know?”
Norberg’s optimism appears to be well founded. According to healthline.com and healthguidance.org, these are facts:
This is good news for Norberg and Agrella, who simply find writing on their hands convenient.
“I feel as though it’s quicker,” Agrella said. “I mean, it’s the original leather notebook.”
For Norberg, a quick way to jot down a reminder is a necessity during her school day.
“Usually these are smaller things, like putting a test in the testing center. Something little like that, where if I don’t write it right away, I’m going to forget in the moment,” Norberg said. “And sometimes, if I know I’m not going to do it right away, I write on my hand [to] email myself [the reminder].”
Aside from the practical appeal, Agrella likes the artistic use of ink on skin.
“It’s sort of artistic expression. You know it’s not going to be there forever, but for the little amount of time that it’s there, it’s rather beautiful,” Agrella said. “The other day, I was messing around with ink, and I ended up doing the entire solar system along the length of my forearm, which was really fun. I think it’s just nice to know that it’s not going to be there forever as permanent as a tattoo, but it’s there to show other people who you are.”
Agrella finds writing on skin to be “therapeutic,” she says, and Norberg says that even washing her to-do list off her hand can act as a satisfying checklist.
It seems this handy habit is not as dangerous as it’s made out to be. So next time you write on your hand, rest assured: you will NOT get skin cancer. Probably.
Elinor is finally a sophomore and on her second year as a writer, Business Manager, and LZ Life Editor for Bear Facts. She finds joy in being a small but...
CB • Aug 30, 2021 at 4:12 am
Agreed, and very valid points!
I just wrote a quick note on my hand, and it made me wonder whether anyone else might find it a useful strategy too. Then I came across your blog post (and a couple others), to which I agree it is such an excellent idea this.
The best thing about our hands is unlike pieces of paper, they’re always with us and never get lost. So to have reminders written on where we see them constantly is an ideal way to remember things. That I find particularly relaxing and reassuring.
For some reason I’ve found certain shades of permanent marker seem to stay on the skin for longer too. Orange is one example that seems to work well. So as a tip, I recommend getting a pack of non-toxic fine tip markers (I use the brand which sounds like a sharp pointed pie) and experiment drawing parallel lines or equally sized shapes on your hand. Even one’s arm can go well for this experiment too, or wherever you fancy. It’s totally up to you.
Next this next step might sound silly. But after 30 mins or so, try and wash it all off entirely. Then see which remaining coloured inks are most visible. These will be best colours to use for making notes, since they’re the sturdiest of the pack. This is due to certain pigments which somehow form a stronger bond with our skin. The advantage is not only will the ink stay where we want it for longer, but doesn’t risk staining one’s clothes, or pillow and bed sheets during the night!
Also it’s not like a tattoo which stays on forever. That would be counterproductive as we’d get used to the reminder. Since our skin’s top layer continually renews itself, that’s how the ink comes off in a day or three (even with “permanent” marker pens). Additionally it seems our palms (at least mine) hold the ink for longer than the backs, and that’s useful if wanting to make more discrete notes.
And as for anyone who thinks it’s a bit childish making notes on our hands, that’s fine. But just make sure to not forget or misplace that sticky note next time… 😉