Removing Permanent Marker From Skin
Removing permanent marker from skin is not as difficult as the word permanent implies. Household permanent markers including Sharpie or Magic Marker are relatively indelible on porous materials such as wood, fabric and paper. But on skin, which is not as porous as those surfaces, permanent marker ink is easier to remove than you might expect.
Every Ink Has a Solvent
The trick to removing permanent marker ink is to figure out what solvent is used as a medium for the dye in the ink. You must also consider whether the solvent might harm the surface that is stained with permanent marker ink. Never is this more important than when the surface is human skin. While skin is not as porous as some surfaces you might purposely mark with permanent marker, it can absorb toxic chemicals, and is vulnerable to the irritating effects of harsh chemicals.
Alcohol Will Remove Most Permanent Marker
Alcohol is a common solvent for many household permanent marker inks. Removing most permanent marker stains is as simple as swabbing the skin with a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol. This method will remove Sharpie and Magic Marker permanent inks almost entirely. Remove any remaining residue on thicker skin, like the palms of the hands, with warm water, soap and a soft scrub brush. Apply lotion to the skin to minimize the drying effects of alcohol, soap and scrubbing.
Safety Precautions When Using Rubbing Alcohol
Do not use rubbing alcohol on broken or irritated skin, or near the eyes or mucous membranes. Also, do not use rubbing alcohol on children under age 2. On individuals of all ages, do not swab more than a couple of square inches of skin with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol absorbed through the skin and inhaled fumes can cause potentially fatal alcohol poisoning, especially in small children.
Removing Industrial Permanent Marker From Skin
Industrial permanent marker inks use Xylene or other toxic volatile organic compounds as their solvents. Alcohol wpn't be very effective in removing industrial permanent marker. Aside from the fact that Xylene is not a common household chemical, it also is not safe to apply to the skin. Remove industrial permanent marker from the skin by soaking for several minutes in warm soapy water, and rubbing gently with a washcloth or soft scrub brush. This will remove dead skin cells on the skin surface, minimizing the stain. Industrial permanent marker stains that don't come off by washing will have to wear off over a period of several days.
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