Tattoo artist who gives young children ‘sleeves’ explains why it’s so important to them (Photos)

A look at these New Zealand children, you’ll see how temporary tattoos have now come on a long way – and they’re proving to be as controversial as they are popular.

The man behind them is Benjamin Lloyd , from Tauranga, New Zealand, who’s in fact an air-brusher, and has only recently turned his attentions to painting tattoos on adults.

Now children are his focus (they wash off easily, crucially keeping parents happy), and according to Mashable Australia , he’s finding their reactions to his work make it all the more worthwhile.

But there is another, more painful and personal reason behind Benjamin’s work.

Benjamin initially started painting his young stepson, who passed away two years ago at only seven years old.

Using water-based black pigments, not only do they look as intricate and artistic as a lot of actual tattoos, but they’re helping to bolster the confidence of the youngsters getting inked.

Speaking to the site, Benjamin explained, “It’s just amazing watching their confidence and their ego boost up.”

The one downside?

“The only bad thing is that they don’t want to take a shower afterwards.”

He posted on his Facebook page on Sunday that if he received 50 likes, he’d paint all the young patients at Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital

Seeing as the post has since received more than 300,000 likes, he’s set to make even more kids happy.