WO2003096995A1

WO2003096995A1 - Composition and method for skin colouring

Info

Publication number: WO2003096995A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2003/000093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew Thomas Hardin; Kepa Brian Morgan; Mark Atama Rainey
Original assignee: Auckland Uniservices Limited
Priority date: 2002-05-17
Filing date: 2003-05-16
Publication date: 2003-11-27
Also published as: AU2003228172A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a 'skin colouring' composition including a dyestuff and a mordant and to a process of applying such a composition preferably including a skin pretreatment step.

Description

COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR SKIN COLOURING

FIELD

This invention relates to methods and compositions for use in temporarily colouring skin, and in particular the skin of a human body.

BACKGROUND

Tattooing has been known for countless generations in many cultures including Maori and

Pacific Island societies. Disadvantages of this permanent process include that the application procedure is painful and the resulting colouring matter physically introduced below the epidermis is very hard to remove.

There is a need to temporarily colour the skin for a number of reasons including cosmetic reasons, for film and theatrical purposes, and for camouflage in the military. A specific need arose from groups of Maori performing artists who typically use dark forest green acrylic paint to apply moko (facial tattoos) and puhoro (thigh and buttock tattoos) on to their skin before each performance, achieving the colour and opacity of the traditional tamoko and puhoro. Any material has to withstand normal use including sweating, bending, friction, yet be removable at the end of the show. When dried acrylic paint does not have the same physical characteristics as skin so that it flakes off, it is difficult to create the right colour, transparency, and look (it looks like paint), there are side effects in some people, and repeated use is expensive. During a tour or a season by a performance group, acrylic paint may have to be applied twice per performance. The total cost soon mounts up if there are 40 or more performers at $2.00 per person. Some of the toxic effects attributed to acrylic paint include nausea, skin irritation, headaches, and migraines. Grease paint is even more expensive and rubs off easily (see below).

The use of acrylic paints has also raised toxicity issues. A range of symptoms have been reported by some of the performers including nausea, skin irritation, headaches and migraines. Concerns also exist regarding the potential cumulative effects of exposure on the performing artists' health. Therefore, the problem became a matter of finding a non- toxic and cost-effective substitute to acrylic paint for applying semi-permanent puhoro (body tattoo) and moko (face tattoo) for the members of the Maori performing group. Military camouflage is often used in jungle warfare or during night expeditions when a white face is an easy target for the enemy. At present, grease paint supplied for military use in pocket packs as semisolid lozenges is used but this comes off when rubbed, (and irritation by insects, dripping sweat, or rubbing against foliage is common in jungle warfare) leaving uncoloured area. The water-impervious covering prevents sweating so that more sweat from other areas is developed and some can run over the soldier's face. The grease gets over the soldier's uniform and kit. Some kits do not include black so the soldiers have to burn paper to get a black component. In modern times, military camouflage should also be consistent with the surroundings through non-visible wavelengths including at least those of near infra-red light in case the enemy is likely to use infra-red night vision devices. The problem to be solved here could be said to be to provide an effective though disadvantage-free face camouflage paint.

OBJECT

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved material for colouring areas of skin, particularly human skin, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In a first broad aspect this invention provides a composition for temporarily dyeing skin to a desired colour and degree of intensity wherein the composition includes at least one selected dyestuff and an effective amount of at least one metal salt serving as a mordant.

Preferably the dyed skin retains an acceptable colour and intensity for four or more hours and more preferably at least six hours.

Preferably the composition includes water as a vehicle for the dye.

Alternatively forms of the composition adapted for quickly drying may include a volatile liquid as a vehicle, or alternatively may be supplied in a nearly dry form for later formulation into a composition.

Preferably the volatile liquid is selected from any one or more of acetone, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Alternatively forms of the composition adapted for higher viscosity may include a thickener such as glycerol.

A preferred mordant is a metal salt, selected from the list of alums including iron alum, potassium aluminium sulphate, and potassium ammonium sulphate, and/or salts of sodium, silver, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, or lead.

Preferably the mordant is magnesium sulphate.

Preferably the composition includes between about 5% and 25% mordant and between about 75% and 95% dyestuff.

Preferably the composition includes between about 5% and about 20% mordant and between about 80% and 95% dyestuff.

Most preferably the composition includes 10% mordant and 90% dyestuff.

In a preferred form the mordant will be combined with the dyestuff in a single composition.

Alternatively the mordant may be provided for separate application prior to application of the selected dyestuff.

Preferably more than one selected dyestuff is used so that a user can adapt the composition to produce a desired colour and intensity on skin.

Preferred dyes may be selected from a range including acrylic ink, food dyes, plant dyes, fabric dyes, histological dyes, and body paint.

In a second broad aspect the invention provides a kit for colouring the skin; the kit including a preparation agent, a mordant, and at least one dyestuff.

Preferably the preparation agent is selected from acetone or an alcohol such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.

Preferably the preparation agent is a skin shaving system. Preferably the skin shaving system includes a conventional shaving process capable of removing an outer layer of dead, comified epithelial cells and degreasing the skin.

Preferably the kit also includes materials for cleaning the skin and removing the colouring material.

Preferably the preparation agent is supplied on one container, and the dyestuff(s) and mordant are supplied in another container.

Optionally the preparation agent and the mordant are mixed.

Preferably the dyestuffs are supplied in the form of pens containing the dyestuff therein and adapted to apply the dyestuff to the skin.

In a third broad aspect the invention provides a method for providing a temporary skin colouration or tattoo; the method including the steps of: a. application of a preparation agent to the skin and allowing the skin to dry; b. applying a composition including at least one dyestuff and a mordant; c. allowing the composition to dry; d. optionally further applications of the composition to the skin are made; and e. optionally, after use, scrubbing away the temporary tattoo with soap and water.

Preferably the preparation agent is ethanol, acetone, or isopropyl alcohol and the skin is wiped with a swab soaked in the preparation agent.

Preferably the dyestuff and mordant are applied together in a single composition.

The skin to which the composition is to be applied is preferably human skin but could also be the skin of an animal if desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description of the invention to be provided herein is given purely by way of example and is not to be taken in any way as limiting the scope or extent of the invention. A process for applying a "temporary tattoo" to human skin comprises: preparing the skin, such as by rubbing with a swab wetted with ethanol, applying a metal salt to serve as a linking device or mordant for a colourant or dyestuff, and applying the selected colourant or dyestuff according to the desired tattoo pattern.

Human skin is based on the dermis, a tough layer mainly of connective tissue but also including nerves, blood vessels, fat cells, and hair follicles. The dermis supports and is covered by a sheet of epidermal cells which repeatedly divide at the base throughout life. Older cells are pushed outwards and in one of a few days form a sacrificial layer of dead, hardened protein material (comified cells, or "keratinocytes") comprised substantially of keratin, the protein also comprising hair and wool. Therefore the invention can be understood as being a process of selectively dyeing the protein within the uppermost layer(s) of comified cells because these are unquestionably part of the skin and move accordingly, they are already non-living, and have only a two or three day life as such in any case even if not scrubbed off.

While the present application refers generally to the application of a dye to human skin, it will be appreciated that, if desired, the dye could be applied to animal skin as well. The tattoo (or otherwise dyed skin) should retain its desired characteristics of colour and intensity, for at least four hours (more preferably at least six hours) during which physical activity is undertaken. The use of dye or dyestuff allows the colour to penetrate the surface of the skin thus giving the tattoo (or other colouring) more permanent (or less painted) effect. Therefore, if the dye can be given a more permanent effect, it becomes a viable, if not advantageous, option over acrylic paints for example.

Two methods for skin pre-treatment are preferred, shaving the skin and/or using a preparation (or fixing) agent (absolute, or substantially anhydrous ethanol, acetone or isopropyl alcohol preferably rubbed over the skin within a swab or rag) to enhance the fastness properties of the dyes under test. It was found that both pre-treatment options enhanced both penetration of the dye into the human skin and resulting appearance. Either one, or both pretreatments together, can be used, but the rubbing is more convenient, faster, and safer. For practical use the skin pretreatment using absolute ethanol is suitable, cheap, practical, and is sufficiently effective to be used on its own, without soaping or shaving or the like. Concentrations of alcohol down to about 95% can also be used, and this may indeed be preferred in many cases to minimise cost. Without wanting to be restricted to a particular hypothesis, we believe that the ethanol improved the fastness by dehydrating the outermost layer of the stratum corneum thus increasing the amount of re-hydration of the stratum corneum by dye mixture and promoting the uptake of dye. The ethanol could alternatively be operating by chemical action on the proteins to be stained, as a kind of fixative. (This effect of ethanol is known in histology). A variety of compounds could be used as preparation agents as the skilled person would realise.

Preparation of the skin prior to dyeing is very much preferred but is optional. If the dye composition includes a volatile compound as a vehicle, then it may be unnecessary to prepare the skin for example. Even if the composition is water based, if the skin is not first prepared, it will result in less effective dyeing but the effect of the composition will still show improvement over standard techniques.

After the skin has been prepared, and evaporation of the preparation agent (eg ethanol), a thin coat of a composition including at least one dye will be applied, by brushing or the like, onto the skin and allowed to dry (for approximately 1 minute although this may vary depending on skin type and the surrounding conditions). A second coat would then be applied if the initial application lacked the desired characteristics of intensity and fastness.

The range of dyestuffs that could be used in the present invention will include acrylic ink, food dyes, plant dyes, fabric dyes, histological dyes, and body paint but should not be seen to be restricted to these. It is preferred that the dyes are water based but, in many cases, this is not essential.

A range of metal salts having mordant properties (sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium sulphate and silver nitrate) could be used. (Other possibilities include the alums, molybdenum and tungsten salts, and the like). Magnesium sulphate (MgS0₄) offers desired advantages without apparent disadvantages, is cheap, and is a well-known pharmaceutical known as "Epsom salts". This compound, believed to act as a mordant, is preferably applied in a composition mixed with one or more selected dyestuffs. Hence the invention can, in a preferred form, be reduced to two steps: application of a preparation agent to the skin (eg an ethanol swab), followed by a dye/mordant colouring step. Of course, metal salts that could act as mordants but which have undesirable toxicity characteristics (or are otherwise unsafe) should not be used and do not form part of this invention. A similar restriction will of course apply to the preparation agents.

A preferred dye/mordant mixture comprises (by weight) 10% magnesium sulphate, 60% NZ dye (leaf green) and 30% FW acrylic dye (black). These figures include the proportion of water supplied with each dye as purchased. The dyes are commercially available products and would be well known to the skilled person. A viscosity raising agent (eg glycerol or like compounds) may be used as well, though quick drying is an advantage that should not be lost. Other colours may be obtained by mixing selected dyes into a dye/mordant mixture of a desired colour, or by painting a variety of dye/mordant mixtures onto the skin from separate containers. Preferably the composition will contain not more than about 25% mordant and not less than about 75% of one or more of the dyestuffs. More preferably the composition will include not more than about 20% mordant.

In our trials (discussed below), intense physical exertion (a 30 minute run) was used to test resistance of the temporary tattoo to sweat and other wear and tear. The applied dye was removed after each experiment by thoroughly scrubbing with warm water and soap.

Hence a total kit for application of temporary tattoos comprises: a supply of absolute ethanol (or other like compound) swabs (or the like), conveniently packed in single-use impervious envelopes, a supply of the desired or preferred dye/mordant mixture, and optionally a supply of soap and a scrubbing brush for later removal of the temporary tattoo.

For military personal camouflage applications, the desired end point is that a soldier's face at least, if not also back of neck, limbs and body, are coloured so that for the enemy the soldier becomes indistinguishable or at least hard to tell apart from the type of vegetation in an area, or from vegetation carried about by the soldier. The invention provides for a variety of coloured mixtures that can be applied to provide good visual matching of a face with local surroundings. The low removal rate that occurs with sweat, and almost no removal from rubbing contact over a period about as long as an average patrol takes, are advantages.

Because night patrols and night raids may be spotted by a lookout using an infra-red vision device usually working in near infra-red light, it is desirable that at least the black mixtures (for use at night) are also adequate camouflage in the infra-red and so we advise the testing of dyes and in particular their infra-red reflectance spectra, supplemented with checks in the field or beforehand.

Because military face paint packs are preferably dry and able to be stored in usable condition for extended periods, a preferred military kit may instead comprise a supply of swabs (or the like) soaked in ethanol together with modified felt-tip pens carrying the colours. Alternatively, the composition could be in a powder form that could be mixed with water at a desired time to form a composition for application.

Possibly the ethanol and the mordant may be carried together within an alcohol-water mixture in contrast to the essentially anhydrous (absolute) ethanol described previously. The water in the mixture is to take up a mordant (such as magnesium sulphate) in solution. Each swab may be conveniently packed in single-use impervious envelopes (by weight). After the swab has been used, the skin has received the mordant. At this point, dye sticks, felt-tip pens, or the like can be used to. actually apply the colouration in a desired pattern and shade. Typically, an orange dye, a light brown dye, dark green dye "NZ dye (leaf green)", (or some such combination) and an acrylic dye (black) would be provided in each military kit plus some swabs. As with existing military face paint, it is desirable to keep the swab out of the eyes and out of any skin breaks.

As yet another alternative, the ethanol, the mordant, and a mixture of dyestuffs may be provided within a single sachet.

As will be apparent, the dye and/or mordant composition can be blended or otherwise produced by known methods. The dyes are commercially available and the amount of the dye in the composition referred to herein, refers to the commercially available product as it would ordinarily be used.

Our concept of dyes which bond well to the skin surface and are not then easily rubbed off involved the use of liquid applications, not the more expensive greases. There is a correlation between liquids which are quick to evaporate and low viscosity, so we may develop better dye/mordant mixtures, and/or application techniques in order to minimise lateral movement of the mixture after it first arrives on the skin. Following the results of the testing (discussed below) of glycerol, this improvement may or may not include such compounds. There may well be circumstances (such as in films) where an individual moko or puhoro is applied using a brush over a period, but in general our application (in relation to performing dance troupes) calls for a quite rapid procedure and the sponge and negative stencil is suitable. In such cases, use of a thickening agent, such as glycerol or like compounds, can be used to increase the viscosity of the composition. This reduces the risk of the composition smearing or running during rapid application. If a stencil is used a thicker composition could have less tendency to flow between the skin and the stencil as a result of capillary action. However testing (see below) indicated that this particular perceived advantage may be minimal if not non-existent. There may also be situations where a thicker composition may provide storage or handling advantages over more liquid compositions. The amount of thickener used will be readily discernable by a person skilled in this art.

High technology application options exist such as use of an ink-jet system; or sprays directed onto the skin by electrostatic means. These may be warranted under appropriate circumstances. This permits any complexity of tattoo to be laid down from electronic storage. A specialised printer may employ an optical projection step in order to indicate where the pigment will be placed so that registration of overlays is facilitated. In such cases, thickeners would probably be detrimental to the process as such compositions would have a tendency to clog the spray nozzles for example.

EXAMPLE 1

A preferred mixture (10% magnesium sulphate, 60% NZ dye and 30% FW acrylic dye (black)) was applied to the arms and legs of a human male with various application techniques. Some used a stencil of a moko/puhoro design provided by a local dance troupe. The dyes were commercially available dyes.

Three different application techniques were tried: (1) stamp and stamp pad, (2) spray and a negative stencil, and (3) sponge and a negative stencil. We prefer the last option. The spray nozzle tended to become blocked. Tracking occurred beneath the positive stencil because of the loose seal between the stencil and the skin, and we could not see this until the intended placement had been spoilt. A little mixture was applied and the application repeated if the resulting colour was not sufficiently dense. Often, after use of a stencil or a stamp, a little retouching was used for a consistent result.

Following application of the preferred composition, the individuals undertook physical exertion for about 30 minutes. The result was that the temporary tattoo retained its colour and intensity on the skin with little or no deterioration. The coloured skin retained its "unpainted" effect for about six hours following application at which time the dye was removed from the skin using soap and water.

EXAMPLE 2

A preliminary investigation of skin pretreatment was carried out to see whether shaving the skin and the using of a fixing agent (pure ethanol) would enhance the dyes fastness properties. It was found that both of these pretreatments enhanced both appearance and penetration of the dye into the human skin (without the inclusion of a mordant) in comparison to no pretreatment.

Examples 3 to 6

For examples 3 to 6, after skin preparation using ethanol, a thin coat of the dye/mordant composition was brushed onto the skin and allowed to dry (approximately 1 minute). A second coat was then applied if the initial application lacked the desired characteristics. Intense physical exertion (30 minute run) was then performed to test the resistance of the dye to sweat. The dye was removed after each experiment by thoroughly scrubbing with warm water and soap.

EXAMPLE 3

Four different salts (sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium sulphate and silver nitrate) were tested for mordant activity. Two divalent and two mono valent metal salts were trialled as each metal salt has a different affinity to the skin substrate.

EXAMPLE 4

Problems with viscosity were encountered at times during the application of the dye.

Adding glycerol was trialled to increase the successful dye application (viscosity).

EXAMPLE 5

A variety of dyes were diluted using water. These were tested to determine if costs could be minimized and/or to optimise the performance of the formulation, but problems with viscosity were encountered. While not tested at this stage, it may be that use of glycerol such as described in Example 4 could serve to remedy the reduced viscosity of diluted compositions.

Table 4 Dilution of Dr Martins dyes with water

DISCUSSION

It was generally shown that the dyes and pigments used in Examples 1 to 6 deteriorate in appearance differently. All peeled or flaked in the same manner due to the stretching of the skin (body movement), while the fading of the dye was caused by a combination of light and wash fastness (perspiration) over time. The best compositions retained desirable characteristics for at least six hours with the less preferred lasting about four hours.

In Example 2, skin pretreatment tests showed that in general the dyes varied in the extent to which their adsorption was modified by pretreatment of the skin. It was observed that skin pretreatment prior to dyeing resulted in an increased intensity in colour. Skin pretreatment did not cause any unevenness in the applied dye nor did it alter the colour of the dye at all. Pretreatment did increase the desirable characteristics of the applied dye in relation to the control (no pretreatment).

Example 3 showed that the addition of certain metal salts resulted in an increase in both light fastness and wash fastness. The testing in Example 3 showed that the 10% concentration of magnesium sulphate salt exhibited better adsorption and fastness properties then both the 5% and 20% magnesium sulphate. An explanation for this may be that the 10% dye was always applied to the stomach region and that this region of the body possessed better absorption properties hence a greater intensity in colour was noticed.

The addition of magnesium sulphate enhanced the colour intensity of the dye the most, and gave the best light fastness over 6 hours of testing. The concentration of 10%

Magnesium sulphate enhanced the application, overall appearance and minimized deterioration of the dye and was the best of the options trialled. Silver chloride as a cationic fixing agent was found to alter the colour of the dye from a dark forest green to a turquoise green. This was to be expected because the silver ions formed a precipitate with the sulphonate compounds, which were present in the dye. Calcium sulphate and sodium chloride showed no noticeable change in enhancing the appearance of the dye but appeared to assist in minimising deterioration over time for a suitable period, but not to the extent of the magnesium. Magnesium sulphate at all concentrations exhibited better properties than the other compounds tested. The other compounds, while potentially useful, are thus less preferred both from an efficacy perspective and a cost perspective. Example 4 proceeded to increase the viscosity of the dye by addition of a thickening agent in the form of the glycerin/glycerol. The reason for this was that when the dye was applied 'bleeding' could occur. After testing it was found that greater concentrations of glycerine had no significant effect in preventing 'bleeding'. Thus, while the addition of glycerol may have some beneficial effects in storing compositions according to the present invention it does not appear to have benefits in preparation of bleeding. It may be that, when used with diluted composition (as shown in Example 5) bleeding benefits will be obtained due to the higher amounts of water present and the decreased viscosity of such diluted compositions.

Commercial Benefits or Advantages

1. The cost of the substitute for acrylic paint has been evaluated. At present the cost of the prior art acrylic paint is $2 per person per application, more expensive than our estimate of $1.15 per person for the new formulation. With respect to the recent "Ihi Frenzy" tour, it presently costs $80 for acrylic paint per show, as compared to an estimated $46 for the mixture of the invention. It may be that one use of the new formulation lasts for several shows.

2. The resulting look of the temporary tattoo is much better than acrylic paint, which adds to the confidence of the performers and adds to the veracity of the show especially if for example some of the performers converse with members of the audience afterwards.

3. Health issues are applicable to any materials in contact with the skin, because the layer of actively dividing skin cells (epidermal basal layer) may be repeatedly exposed to high levels of foreign material by a user. If any cancer-initiating component(s) in the broad sense exist in the composition the basal layer is likely to be affected over time. The risk can be minimised by appropriate selection of dyes and preferably use of natural (plant) dyes rather than coal-tar derivatives, some of which are highly carcinogenic. Apart from the risk of cancer there is also the risk of an allergic response building up over a period. The inherent risks of using an acrylic paint can therefore be mitigated by use of appropriate options.

4. A related advantage of the present invention is that it is designed to place the colouration in only the outermost layers of the skin - already destined for disposal by the body's natural processes. This follows from use of a mordant so that the dyes are taken up only in the external layer. Also, while volatile solvents can be used, restricting solvents to only water, as far as possible, reduces the risk of solvents either themselves or in combination with dyes or impurities causing adverse reactions of any type.

5. Another advantage of the present invention is that, as a water based composition can be used, removal after use does not involve organic solvents that may partly leach through the skin into the underlying dermis, possibly carrying pigments, and having entered the body have to be detoxified through the liver.

Risk management steps also include use of dyes believed to be safe based on composition, purity, and previous experiments as embodied in MCHP reports.

Finally, it will be understood that the scope of this invention as described and/or illustrated herein is not limited to the specified embodiments. Those of skill will appreciate that various modifications, additions, known equivalents, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A composition for temporarily dyeing skin to a desired colour and degree of intensity wherein the composition includes at least one selected dyestuff and an effective amount of at least one metal salt serving as a mordant.

2. The composition claimed in claim 1 wherein the dyed skin retains an acceptable colour and intensity for at least four hours.

3. The composition claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the composition includes water as a vehicle for the dye.

4. The composition claimed in claims 1 or 2 including a volatile liquid as a vehicle for the dye.

5. The composition claimed in claim 4 wherein the volatile liquid is selected from any one or more of acetone, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.

6. The composition claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition includes a thickener.

7. The composition claimed in claim 6 wherein the thickener is glycerol.

8. The composition claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the mordant is a metal salt, selected from the list of alums including iron alum, potassium aluminium sulphate, and potassium ammonium sulphate, and/or salts of sodium, silver, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, or lead.

9. The composition claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mordant is magnesium sulphate.

10. The composition claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition includes between about 5% and 25% mordant and between about 75% and 95% dyestuff.

11. The composition claimed in claim 10 wherein the composition includes between about 5% and about 20% mordant and between about 80% and 95%) dyestuff.

12. The composition claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the composition includes 10% mordant and 90% dyestuff.

13. The composition claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mordant will be combined with the dyestuff in a single composition.

14. The composition claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the mordant is provided for separate application prior to application of the dyestuff.

15. The composition claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein more than one dyestuff is used so that a user can adapt the composition to produce a desired colour and intensity on skin.

16. The composition claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the dyestuff is selected from acrylic ink, food dyes, plant dyes, fabric dyes, histological dyes, and body paint.

17. A kit for colouring the skin; the kit including a preparation agent, a mordant, and at least one dyestuff.

18. The kit claimed in claim 17 wherein the preparation agent is selected from acetone, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.

19. The kit claimed in claim 17 wherein the preparation agent is a skin shaving system.

20. The kit claimed in claim 19 wherein the skin shaving system includes a conventional shaving process , capable of removing an outer layer . of dead, comified epithelial cells and degreasing the skin.

21. The kit claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the kit also includes materials for cleaning the skin and removing the colouring material.

22. The kit claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21 wherein the preparation agent is supplied in one container, and the dyestuff(s) and mordant are supplied in another container.

23. The kit claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein optionally the preparation agent and the mordant are mixed.

24. The kit claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein the dyestuffs are supplied in the form of pens containing the dyestuff therein adapted to apply the dyestuff to the skin.

25. A method for providing a temporary skin colouration or tattoo; the method including the steps of: a. application of a preparation agent to the skin and allowing the skin to dry; b. applying a composition including at least one dyestuff and a mordant; c. allowing the composition to dry; d. optionally further applications of the composition to the skin are made; and e. optionally, after use, scrubbing away the temporary tattoo with soap and water.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the preparation agent is ethanol, acetone, or isopropyl alcohol and the skin is wiped with a swab soaked in the preparation agent.

27. The method as claimed in claims 25 and 26 wherein the skin to which the composition is to be applied is human skin.