# Best pen to write on arm that will get sweaty? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 7, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046 "2012-04-07T01:35:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![winneee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a88e4f/32.png) [@winneee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winneee)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/1 "2012-04-07T01:35:16Z")
Hi all, I am running a marathon in a week and would like to dedicate each mile to something or someone. The only way I will be able to keep it all straight is by writing it on my arms and was wondering if anyone could suggest a pen that writes well on skin and won’t smudge when wet and is not awful to remove? Also, if you have a cause or a person or animal that you would like me to dedicate a mile to, please let me know. . ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/2 "2012-04-07T01:48:01Z")
Is this something you’d have arranged ahead of time? You can buy sheets of temporary tattoo paper at office supply stores. Print up your list and “tattoo” it on your arm (follow the direction on the package, but basically you press the “tattoo” print side down and hold it there with a wet washcloth on top for a minute.) It won’t budge with sweat, water or rain. After the race, use a little baby oil on a cotton ball and it will take it right off! (I “tattoo” my contact info on the arms of small children I take to crowded events, so if we get separated, security knows how to find me.) ---
**Author:** ![winneee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a88e4f/32.png) [@winneee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winneee)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/3 "2012-04-07T01:54:04Z")
Oh that is a great idea. I think it is certainly something I could prepare ahead of time. And fabulous idea about “tattooing” children with contact info. I am officially dedicating one mile to you WhyNot. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/4 "2012-04-07T01:58:53Z")
That is an absolutely fabulous idea! I didn’t know you could make your own temp tattoos! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/5 "2012-04-07T02:09:47Z")
Yes, yes! It’s awesome stuff. I recommend it to anyone who sees my (actual) tattoos and starts talking about how they think they want one but they’re not sure. You can print your idea and wear it for a while and see how you like it! Scare your loved ones! Good times! I’m quite honored to “get” a mile, **winneee**. Have a great run! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/6 "2012-04-07T02:28:00Z")
When you do a triathlon, they use a sharpie. Just be careful with sunscreen - it might take it off. Speaking of sunscreen - be prepared to have whatever you’ve written on yourself reverse-tanned on your arms. Where my triathlon number was written on my arms was noticeably lighter than the surrounding skin for a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/7 "2012-04-07T02:57:18Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > (I “tattoo” my contact info on the arms of small children I take to crowded events, so if we get separated, security knows how to find me.) Oh my fucking god, you are officially a genius. That is bloody brilliant! Holy freaking shit - why haven’t you sold this idea to a parenting manual yet? ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/8 "2012-04-07T02:59:03Z")
Good luck on your marathon! Is it your first, or are you an old-timer? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/9 "2012-04-07T03:31:22Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > Oh my fucking god, you are officially a genius. That is bloody brilliant! > > Holy freaking shit - why haven’t you sold this idea to a parenting manual yet? Bonus tip: Food allergies and special handling instructions will be legible, too. My daughter gets, “My name is WhyKidlette. My mom is WhyNot at 555-FAKE. WhyKidlette is **allergic to flour**. Please don’t give her any cookies, crackers or bread. Thank you for your help.” (She’s gluten intolerant, not wheat allergic, but, y’know…close enough.) I print it in (I think) 14 point font, and it takes up most of her upper arm. Put a couple of flowers and hearts around it and she loves it. It’s never been actually needed and tested, thank goodness. But I lost my son in the mall once. Worst feeling ever, and I hope to never repeat it! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/10 "2012-04-07T03:49:53Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > But I lost my son in the mall once. Perhaps I need new glasses, or it’s too late for me to be up. But I read this as “I lost my son in the mail once.” Is his name perhaps Stanley, and did a bulletin board fall on him? ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/11 "2012-04-07T04:06:14Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Bonus tip: Food allergies and special handling instructions will be legible, too. My daughter gets, “My name is WhyKidlette. My mom is WhyNot at 555-FAKE. WhyKidlette is **allergic to flour**. Please don’t give her any cookies, crackers or bread. Thank you for your help.” > > (She’s gluten intolerant, not wheat allergic, but, y’know…close enough.) > > I print it in (I think) 14 point font, and it takes up most of her upper arm. Put a couple of flowers and hearts around it and she loves it. > > It’s never been actually needed and tested, thank goodness. But I lost my son in the mall once. Worst feeling ever, and I hope to never repeat it! May I share this on my blog? I’ll link back to this post to give you proper credit! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/12 "2012-04-07T13:43:54Z")
> [@Hockey\_Monkey](#): > > May I share this on my blog? I’ll link back to this post to give you proper credit! Absolutely. ---
**Author:** ![winneee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a88e4f/32.png) [@winneee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winneee)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/13 "2012-04-07T21:40:37Z")
Fabulous information WhyNot. I will spread the tips as well. Scarlett67-this is my fifth 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![winneee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a88e4f/32.png) [@winneee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/winneee)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/14 "2012-04-07T21:43:45Z")
Liirogue- thank you! I didn’t even think about adding sunscreen to the mix. Good heads up! ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-pen-to-write-on-arm-that-will-get-sweaty/618046/15 "2012-04-08T23:02:01Z")
I didn’t know you could make temp tattoos! Snazzy. When my homeless-teen-sorta-foster-kids went to Bonaroo I told them to write my phone number on their arm with a good Sharpie. But a temptat would’ve been funner!