Minimalist Semicolon Tattoo: Wear It 2 Weeks Before You Ink
Minimalist Semicolon Tattoo: Wear It 2 Weeks Before You Ink
Lasts 10–14 days
A semicolon tattoo is a symbol of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. In writing, a semicolon is used where a sentence could have ended but goes on. As a tattoo, it says: my story is not over. Project Semicolon made it widely known in the United States in 2013.
This one looks like real ink and lasts about 10–14 days, so you can wear it before you choose a real tattoo.
Size: 0.3 x 1.2 in (0.7 x 3 cm) · Best placement: inner wrist or behind the ear
If you are struggling, you are not alone. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). In France, call 3114.
What's in the kit?
Every InkToday tattoo ships in its protective sleeve, with an application guide to help you put it on.
How do I apply my tattoo?
Our tattoos are painless and very easy to apply yourself – it only takes a few simple steps.
Follow the application guide supplied with your tattoo, or watch our video tutorial here.
Once applied, the ink reacts with the proteins and the keratin in your skin, and darkens within 24 to 36 hours.
Your tattoo then stays visible for 10 to 14 days depending on where you apply it on your body, before fading away naturally.
Colour and appearance
Unlike most temporary tattoos, INKTODAY ink bonds to the surface of your skin instead of simply sitting on top of it.
Once applied, the ink reacts with the proteins and the keratin in your skin, and darkens within 24 to 36 hours.
The final result looks like a real tattoo, in a deep blue-black colour.
How long does the tattoo last?
INKTODAY tattoos are designed to fade within 10 to 14 days.
How long they last depends on where you apply them, on your daily activities and on how hydrated your skin is.
The ink fades gradually as your skin renews itself naturally.
Here is an estimate of how long they hold, area by area:
🦵 Leg: day 1 to 5 (very dark colour), then day 6 to 12 (colour fading).
🦶 Foot: day 1 to 8 (very dark colour), then day 9 to 14 (colour fading).
🦵 Knee: day 1 to 6 (very dark colour), then day 7 to 12 (colour fading).
💪 Forearm: day 1 to 6 (very dark colour), then day 7 to 12 (colour fading).
💪 Shoulder: day 1 to 7 (very dark colour), then day 8 to 14 (colour fading).
💪 Upper arm: day 1 to 7 (very dark colour), then day 8 to 14 (colour fading).
✋ Hand: day 1 to 4 (very dark colour), then day 5 to 8 (colour fading).
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InkToday ink: how we designed it
We developed our InkToday formula drawing on the natural, ancestral practices of tribes who used plant sap to mark their skin.
Our unique formula lets our INKTODAY tattoos last longer while giving a deeper, blacker colour.
Water-resistant and incredibly realistic, our tattoos offer an authentic, long-lasting experience.
Discover our founders’ story and how InkToday ink was created here 👀
Shipping and returns
We ship to most countries worldwide, free above the amount shown in your cart.
All non-personalised orders can be returned within 14 days, as long as the tattoo’s individual packaging has not been opened, of course.
Why try it before the real one
- See if 0.3 x 1.2 in is the right size where you want it (inner wrist, finger…).
- Watch how it looks on your skin, day after day.
- Love it? Show it to your tattoo artist. Not sure? Try another design next month.
What a semicolon tattoo means
The semicolon became a symbol of mental health awareness through Project Semicolon, started in 2013: a sentence that could have ended, and continues. People wear it for themselves, for someone they love, or in tribute.
If you are struggling, you are not alone. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). Elsewhere, reach out to a crisis line where you live or your local emergency services.
How to apply
- Clean and dry the skin.
- Press the tattoo on firmly.
- Peel off the backing.
- Let it develop: the ink darkens over 24–36 hours.
InkToday makes plant-based semi-permanent tattoos that develop on the skin over 24–36 hours, look like real ink and last 10–14 days, so you can try a tattoo design before getting it for real.
Meaning
Project Semicolon is an American nonprofit founded in 2013, known for its advocacy of mental health wellness and its anti-suicide work. It encourages people to tattoo a semicolon as a sign of solidarity with those dealing with mental illness or the loss of someone to suicide: a sentence that could have ended, but goes on.
Source: Wikipedia, article “Project Semicolon”
Size and placement
Design size: 0.3 x 1.2 in (0.7 x 3 cm)
| Placement | How it looks at this size | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Inner wrist | Tiny, it shows when you turn your hand | Anyone who wants a quiet reminder |
| Finger | Fits on the side of a finger | Anyone who wants to see it often (fades faster on fingers) |
| Behind the ear | Hidden by hair, visible when you tie it up | Someone who wants a symbol just for herself |
FAQ
What is a semicolon tattoo used for?
It is used to show that someone has lived through depression, a suicidal crisis or another mental health struggle, and chose to keep going. Friends and family also wear it as a sign of support. It can open a conversation, or simply stay a private reminder. Many people place it on the wrist, where they can see it every day.
What does a semicolon tattoo symbolize?
It symbolizes a pause, not an end. A writer uses a semicolon where a sentence could stop but continues, and the tattoo applies that image to life. It stands for survival, hope and mental health awareness. The idea was spread by Project Semicolon, a movement started in the United States in 2013 to support people facing suicidal thoughts.
What does (;) mean in a tattoo?
In a tattoo, (;) is the semicolon, and it nearly always refers to mental health. It means that your story goes on after a dark time. Some people add it to a butterfly, a heart or a word, but the core meaning stays the same. A small, plain semicolon is the most common version, often on the wrist.
What is an anxiety tattoo?
There is no single anxiety tattoo. People often choose a small symbol that reminds them to breathe or to keep going: the semicolon, a wave, a lotus, an arrow or a short word. The semicolon is the best known in the mental health community. If you are unsure, wear the design for two weeks first and see how it feels.
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