# Temporary Diabetic Tattoos This Temporary Tattoo Lets Diabetics Monitor Their Glucose Levels By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-01-19 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diabetic-temporary-tattoo References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/temporary-tattoo-blood-glucose/35649/) & [jacobsschool.ucsd.edu](http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/news/news_releases/release.sfe?id=1691) A team of researchers led by [University of California](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uci), San Diego grad student Amay Bandodkar are developing a temporary tattoo that can be used by diabetics to [monitor their blood glucose levels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noninvasive-glucose-monitoring). These tattoos would represent a painless and more fun way for diabetics to do so without having to prick themselves. Once the tattoo is applied to the patient, a mild electrical current is passed to their skin. This causes glucose-carrying sodium ions to move towards the electrodes. The tattoo's built-in sensor then measures the strength of the electrical charge produced by the glucose, rendering it able to measure glucose levels in the patient's bloodstream. This temporary tattoo doesn't provide a numerical read-out of glucose levels, with a separate device currently being developed for that purpose. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 44% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Temporary Diabetic Tattoos:** Temporary tattoos that can monitor blood glucose levels offer a painless and fun way for diabetics to manage their condition. - **Non-invasive Glucose Monitoring:** The development of temporary tattoos that use mild electrical currents to measure glucose levels presents an opportunity for non-invasive glucose monitoring technology. - **Alternative Blood Glucose Testing:** Temporary diabetic tattoos provide an alternative to traditional blood glucose testing by eliminating the need for pricking the skin. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Healthcare:** The healthcare industry could benefit from incorporating non-invasive glucose monitoring technologies, such as temporary diabetic tattoos, for more efficient and painless diabetes management. - **Medical Devices:** The medical devices industry can explore the production of temporary diabetic tattoos as innovative tools for glucose monitoring, providing a more convenient and user-friendly option to diabetics. - **Tattoo Industry:** The tattoo industry has an opportunity to expand its offerings by venturing into the development and production of temporary diabetic tattoos, catering to a new market of individuals seeking wearable health monitoring solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Noninvasive Smartwatch Glucose Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/galaxy-watch.md) - [Connected Monitoring Bandages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wound-bandage.md) - [Handheld Glucose Monitoring Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intuity-medical.md) - [Diabetic Health-Tracking Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onetouch-reveal.md) - [Self-Adjusting Insulin Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insulin-system.md) - [Non-Invasive Continuous Glucose Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noninvasive-continuous-glucose-monitor.md) - [Portable Diabetes Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inspo-smart-insulin.md) - [NFC-Enabled Glucose Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curo-g10.md) - [Glucose-Managing Diabetes Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ohsu.md)