Tattoo Ink – Everything You Need to Know [2022 Information Guide]

Explore the fascinating world of tattoo ink. Explore the materials used to create modern shades and colors as well as recent developments in the industry.

What is tattoo ink made of?

Currently, there are many types of tattoo pigments and carriers used to create modern tattoo inks.

Many people are more aware of what they put into their bodies. This includes people who are considering buying ink, even the material used to create their work. Organic pigments and vegan tattoo inks are now heavily used in the creation of tattoo ink ingredients and are important parts of our business as a responsible tattoo ink manufacturer.

In the past, tattoo ink was made from whatever was available: charcoal, rust, heavy metals, ink from ballpoint pens; Anything that can be packed into a pin to hold a design is placed on the table for use in a tattoo shop.

Basics of tattoo ink

Regardless of the desired color or material used, the heart of all tattoo inks has two components: the pigment and the carrier. Tattoo pigmentation is straight forward; they consist of different materials that provide color to the tattoo. Pigments and coloring concentrates are not available for absorption by the body. While an old-timer tattoo artist might have simply rubbed charcoal into a cut, we’ve come a long way from our cave-dwelling ancestors and today there’s a much better process for applying color and black tattoo ink on the skin.

The main supports that allow ink particles to be applied to the skin are called carriers. The carrier is the liquid that acts as the solvent and “carries” the ink to the skin. The most common carriers are ethyl alcohol and distilled water, although denatured alcohol, rubbing alcohol, glycerine, propylene glycol, and methyl alcohol are also sometimes used. In addition to keeping the pigment evenly distributed in the solution, the carrier also prevents pathogens from entering the ink—thus, alcohol is used as a common carrier.

Another reason alcohol is a popular carrier for tattoo ink is because it increases the permeability of the dermis. This effect allows the ink to penetrate the skin more easily and evenly, while also giving the tattoo overall consistency and application.

Tattoo pigmentation

Now that we know the composition of tattoo ink and how it is applied to the skin, we can examine the different materials used to create the different colors popular in modern tattoos. Despite the explosion in tattoo popularity over the past ten years, many people still don’t know what they’re getting under their skin.

In the modern world where we live with all natural, eco-friendly things, many people are amazed at the materials used in tattoos. Most people probably wouldn’t bet that the red in their dragon tattoo is due to the mercury content or to the lead in the blue ink that creates the forest scene on their feet.

Historically, most tattoo inks were made from heavy metals extracted from the earth and purified and used as colorants. Most modern inks are derived from an organic ink process that does not use animal products (mainly tallow and bone char) and are approved for cosmetic purposes, such as makeup forever.

The list of compounds commonly used to produce different colored permanent tattoo inks is as follows:

• Mercury: Red
• Lead: Yellow, Green & White
• Cadmium: Red, Orange, Yellow
• Nickel: Black
• Zinc: Yellow & White
• Chromium: Green
• Cobalt blue
• Aluminum: Blue & Purple
• Titanium: White
• Bronze: Blue & Green
• Iron: Brown, Red & Black
• Barium: White

Pigment ink manufacturers also know how to blend other metals, usually titanium dioxide, as a brightening agent and reduce production costs. Arsenic and lithium are still used in some colorants.

Vegetarian-friendly squid

You’ll also find your local tattoo parlor is now distinguishing itself as a vegan shop – especially in larger urban centers where the vegan population is large enough to make it viable. financially viable as well as ethically sound.

Vegan ink uses organic pigments such as azo pigments, carbon black, or logs to create black tattoo ink and plant-based glycerin or witch hazel.

In a completely vegan tattoo shop, all elements of the process – transfer, cleaning and aftercare as well as the ink – are thoroughly reviewed before use in the shop to ensure unused animal products.

The growth in this area of ​​the worldwide tattoo industry means that most quality ink manufacturers are removing bone coal and tallow-based glycerin from their everyday products right away. from the beginning.

Health concerns

Voluntarily inserting tattoo ink particles containing mercury and arsenic under your skin may seem like a bad idea given everything we’ve learned about these deadly chemicals, but they’re just as dangerous as they are. When is used in tattoo ink?

When it comes to tattooed skin, they are not without physical risks, the most common being infection. However, when it comes to the longer-term effects of injecting these chemicals with a tattoo needle into your body, less is known.

While many products are tested for use in cosmetics, how industrial pigment particles affect the human body is at best theoretical, if not completely unknown.

A common family of organic compounds used as tattoo colorants are called azo compounds (or azo pigments). These molecules are known to release carcinogens as they break down, most commonly through exposure to solar and ultraviolet radiation, the same things people with tattoos are exposed to in a day. at the beach.

Not enough research has been done on the long-term effects of these materials beneath the skin to make any definitive statements about the safety of tattoos. One of the main reasons for this lack of data is the lax regulations that apply to tattoo pigments (and tattooing in general).

Regulatory loopholes

There are currently no federal laws regarding tattooing in the United States, let alone strong laws regarding the chemicals used in the production of tattoo ink ingredients. This is because tattoos — which technically fall under the jurisdiction of the Food & Drug Administration — are considered cosmetics, and the FDA’s cosmetic product regulations are notoriously lax.

Notable exceptions include California’s Proposition 65, which requires tattoo artists to disclose to their customers whether they use ink pigments that contain compounds known to cause cancer, congenital or other reproductive harm or not. This type of law is very rare in the United States

Although the incidence of negative effects from tattoo ink is low, the FDA continues to consider it a possible threat to health and welfare and has documented the possibility of tattoo ink poisoning. .

Artists have a responsibility to be good artists

While the regulation governing tattoo ink production is a bit wild, the laxity is well received by artists and business owners who are the mainstay of the industry. No self-respecting tattoo artist wants to make his or her clients sick or cause them allergies, and every legit shop will do their best to provide the safest, highest quality inks available. Have.

Although there is little anecdotal evidence of poisoning from tattoo ink, the reality is that some materials used in colorants are not designed for human use.

These factors further emphasize the importance of finding a store with a good reputation, both for the quality of their art as well as their dedication to providing a safe and healthy experience for everyone they contact. tattoo.

Categories: Tattoos
Source: Tattoo Ink – Everything You Need to Know [2022 Information Guide] – Tekmonk Bio, Tattoo Ink – Everything You Need to Know [2022 Information Guide] – KOLNetworth, Tattoo Ink – Everything You Need to Know [2022 Information Guide] – Blogtomoney