Ever wondered how to get rid of sharpie skin? Permanent markers, especially its most famous brand known as Sharpie, could be taken into use on various surfaces. They are manufactured with a specific type of ink derived from chemicals such as toluene and xylene that are long-lasting.
Moreover, the marks left by it take some days to fade away as several permanent markers are quick-drying and fade-resistant. And, getting marks from the sharpie on the skin seems to be frustrating as the marks are tough and it becomes difficult to remove it from the skin. Don’t worry, as there are several ways to remove it, and each method includes its level of success.
There are a huge number of products that help in sharpie removal from skin. Certain items could be found around your home, which makes it easy for everyone. The major effect is not to use one product over another, instead, apply several methods at once just to ensure the entire removal of the mark.
A mark of sharpie on your skin could go away in only a few days along with frequent washing and bathing, but in a hurry situation, try out certain methods to remove the mark faster.
Quick Access
Try these methods to remove shrapie faster
Sea salt scrub
Sea salt is well-known as a natural exfoliant, and when mixed with warm water, it gently removes permanent markers from skin. But, ensure not to rub harshly as it could scrape off the skin and cause irritation to the skin. Here are the steps to prepare it:-
- Measure and ensure to mix equal parts of coarse sea salt with warm water to form a paste. One tablespoon is enough, but you might require more if it is on your entire body.
- Now, massage the paste gently on the painted area on your body for just a few minutes.
- After that, rinse off the paste with help of lukewarm water.
- Pat the area dry and apply moisturizer.
- Now, repeat the process twice a day.
Using the sea salt scrub twice a day could help in removing the top layers of ink and exfoliating the skin. While this method doesn’t remove the sharpie from the skin immediately, it would fade it off and make it unnoticeable.
Coconut or olive oil
Coconut and olive oil are easily found in various households and serve as an emergency products for body paint. Oil not only serves as a moisturizer but also helps in maintaining your skin barrier. These awesome natural paint oils also ease inflammation and skin irritation and help in sharpie removal from skin.
If you make use of these natural oils as a moisturizer or as body massage frequently, then chances are there that permanent marks are not that permanent. The oil exclusively coats your upper layer of skin which forms a barrier between permanent ink and skin pores. Furthermore, when the oil is applied to remove stains, it could attach itself to pigments in ink and help in its removal.
- Take some amount of oil over your hand, either olive or coconut oil.
- Now, rub off the oil all over the marks in a gentle manner and circular motion.
- Wipe off the oil with a washcloth or paper towel to remove the ink.
- Now, rinse the oil residue along with water and mild soap.
- Repeat the procedure as required.
This method might not remove the ink immediately but could reduce its intensity and pigmentation. Although, you need to be careful while using the oil, especially tea tree oil as it could be irritating and harsh for delicate skin.
Mouthwash and toothpaste
Toothpaste lightens stains of teeth but also comes in handy in reducing permanent marker stains on your skin. Ensure to make use of alcohol-based mouthwash to remove permanent markers from skin.
- Squeeze enough toothpaste to cover the stained area on your skin.
- Rub the toothpaste gently into the skin with your fingers. Toothpaste exfoliates the skin’s top layer which helps in ink removal.
- Add some amount of alcohol-based mouthwash to a damp washcloth.
- Rub off the paste gently to let it work into the skin.
Mouthwash works great just like any other alcohol-based product in stain removal, but be safe.
By rubbing alcohol
Household chemical-based cleansing items and removers contain a certain amount of alcohol that helps in the removal of permanent marker stains in any urgent situation. Apply rubbing alcohol is one of the quickest ways to get rid of permanent marker stains from the skin. But, you require a strength of 90% or higher to make it faster.
- Dip cotton balls in some amount of rubbing alcohol.
- Then, apply the cotton ball over the marker stains and let it sit for a few seconds.
- Wipe it gently with a cotton ball. Prevent its rubbing, as it might lead to skin irritation.
- Repeat the process a few times until the ink mark is gone.
- Now, ensure to moisturize the area with any dermatologist-recommended moisturizer.
Water and baking soda
Baking soda is another multitasking cleaning chemical that could be found easily in homes. Baking soda works great on any sort of stubborn stain, so as for sharpie removal from the skin.
- Mix one teaspoon of baking soda along with some water to form a paste.
- Now, rub the paste gently for a few minutes.
- Then, rinse off the paste with warm water.
Baking soda mixed with toothpaste would be doubly effective and allows you to get rid of the stain quickly.
With help of shaving cream
Shaving cream is another household product that holds several beneficial purposes. It also helps in the removal of marker stains from the skin to a great extent. Firstly, you require to apply some amount of shaving cream directly on the stained area. Now, you can make use of tissue or your fingers for rubbing and make sure to cover the entire stain. When stains vanish, make use of warm water to rinse them off.
Tips on how to get sharpie off skin
Here are some things to consider before removing sharpie from the skin that could make the process much simpler and easier.
Select skin-safe ink
While sharpie permanent marker stains could be accidental and occasional, they should be used only on their required surfaces. Don’t make use of permanent markers over your skin to draw any sort of tattoo or face painting as it is not meant to be used on the skin. If you are willing to make a tattoo or any painting, ensure to make use of skin-safe markers. These types of markers are free from chemicals and are waterproof.
Keep child-friendly markers
Try to keep the permanent markers away from small children, and keep child-friendly markers at some easy and accessible spots around your house. There are various types of washable and erasable markers for kids that could be taken in and used for body and face painting. Moreover, drawing boards would encourage the children to scribble the marker over the board and not over their bodies.
Prevent mouth and eye contact
While using any type of cream or lotion on your skin to remove sharpie from the skin, be careful to prevent contact with hands, mouth, and eyes. Even if it is oil, you should prevent its usage near the mouth and eye area.
Friction burn risk
Remember not to rub manually the ink-stained area just for removing the pigment. This could result in friction burn and could make your skin much more sensitive. You can make use of concealer to hide the remaining pigments.
How much time is taken to remove permanent markers from skin?
With natural oil secretion of the body, along with regular washing and bathing, sharpie ink marks could come off on their own in just a few days. With the help of any chemical-based removers and rubbing alcohol, you could get rid of sharpie stains as quickly as possible. Moreover, with every household item and natural oils, it could take around 1-2 days of removing the sharpie stains entirely.
Permanent marker ink stains could vanish from your skin over time just by repetitive washings and due to the natural oil production of pores. But, if something special is about to come, and you think of how to get a sharpie off your skin, then any of the above methods could help.
FAQ
Can sharpies damage your skin?
Sharpie is a permanent marker and it contains harmful ingredients, like xylene, resin, and toluene. If it comes in contact with your skin, it could result in mild irritation along with itchiness, swelling, and redness.
How long does sharpie stay on the skin?
While sharpie permanent marker would fade away from your skin in almost two or three days if taken care of properly. But, if you desire to remove it quickly, then you are required to follow certain methods.
Conclusion
Ensure to remove the ink stain from your body with the help of the above-listed methods as these methods could be found in households. But, to prevent injury or irritation, make sure not to rub or scrub your skin harshly. Also, remember to check ingredients and make sure to perform patch tests before using anything over your skin.