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Information on Tattoo Ink

Tattoo ink is generally broken down into two groups: one group that has the same base with different pigments and one group that individually has different bases. The first group is easy for tattoo artists to mix to produce new colors. The second group produces more bold and vibrant colors. Inks are either water or alcohol based. When getting a tattoo, it's important to talk with your tattoo artist about the brands they select, research the ingredients used by those brands, and select a hypo-allergenic ink if you have a history of skin allergens.




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  1. The Combination of Tattoo Artists and their Ink

    • No two tattoo artists are alike, and each may use different brands of ink to suit their budget and their personal artistic style. It's important to talk to your tattoo artist about what brands of ink they use, and it may be necessary to try a few tattoo artists to find the right match between personality, communication, the cleanliness of their workspace and their choice in inks. It's a good idea to ask your tattoo artist in advance of your appointment what brand of inks or pigments they use, and then research that particular brand.

    Ink Associated Risks

    • There are a few risks involved with certain brands of ink that tattoo seekers should be aware of. This is especially the case for people who want all white tattoos, or other kinds of tattoos that could potentially use one of the pure pigment group inks. Dangerous ingredients to look out for are antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cobalt, lead, lead compounds, nickel and selenium. These ingredients are collectively referred to as toxic metals, and each can cause carcinogenic or reproductive harm. Animal rights activists or vegans may only use Starbrite inks, which use vegetable glycerins; all other ink brands use animal glycerins. Since tattoo ink is not classified as a food or drink, ink companies are not legally required to divulge the ingredients they use in their products. They are, however, obligated to post warnings on their company websites if they have any toxic components.

    Hypo-Allergenic Inks

    • If you have previously been allergic to any pigments or chemicals in beauty products, be forewarned that you might have trouble with tattoo inks. Although most inks produced by companies are now hypo-allergenic, no ink brand has been able to produce a hypo-allergenic red ink. Because red is one of the three primary colors, the only way to avoid using it is to select a design that does not use it at all. Thankfully, orange and purple are different pigments that can be used without red ink, unless the tattoo artist has a limited amount of colors in their palette and relies on mixing them.

    Semi-Permanent Ink

    • A relatively new brand, Infinitink, claims that it is semi-permanent. Infinitink is created with a special process called "P2E" that allows for the ink to be more easily dispersed when passed over with a laser, resulting in fewer laser treatments. However, Infinitink is not available in any other color but black.

    UV Blacklight Ink

    • UV blacklight ink is an option for tattoo seekers who wish to get a tattoo that is invisible in everyday circumstances and only visible under a UV blacklight.

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