Tattoo ink from human hair: is there consumer appetite?
“Gone are the days of a simple tattoo of a name or portrait to remember or feel close to a loved one,” reads the SKIN46 blurb on its website.
“SKIN46 ink puts a piece of the person themselves right under the skin – with breakthrough, high-tech ink made from a loved ones hair.”
The company is now running a crowdfunder to get its innovation off the ground. We asked it if it believes the consumer appetite is really there for this kind of unusual ink.
“As it is a brand-new product and story, consumer demand and awareness must be built up,” acknowledges Andreas Wampl, CEO.
However, he says that the enthusiasm shown for its crowdfunder and promotional activity so far shows there is appetite for this kind of innovation.
“In our pre-campaign, about 6700 people registered, and most of them were women aged 25 to 45, who will have mostly either children or pets forever under their skin.”
Tattoo care focus
Tattoos have become a rising area of focus for skin care players and the industry more generally.
Indeed, tattoos are likely to be rising trend to tap into: according to Rahn, 38% of millennials (18 – 29 years old) already have a tattoo, and this expected to grow.
Daily skin care products addressing tattooed skin are expected to be at the forefront of innovations for this rising sub-category, the company predicts, with tattooed skin likely to show signs of premature ageing.
Rahn is one player with a tattoo care offering in its ingredients portfolio, as is Evonik, who in 2016 launched a concept for skin that has undergone permanent inking.
Inkguard, with a range including a sunscreen and a topical antioxidant treatments, was at the forefront of the trend, having released products as early as 2007.
