What are the cons of white tattoos?

Author: Alexandrea Aufderhar  |  Last update: Saturday, April 12, 2025

White ink tattoos don't last as long as other tattoos. White ink fades into a color similar to caucasian flesh, making them much harder to notice after a few years. You're good to go if you want to tattoo over your white ink tattoo with a darker color when you feel confident you'd like to commit.

What are the downsides of white tattoos?

Fading: White ink tattoos tend to fade faster than traditional black ink tattoos. They may require more touch-ups over time to maintain their appearance. Visibility Issues: On darker skin tones, white ink may not show up as well, sometimes appearing as a very subtle mark rather than a clear design.

Do white tattoos last?

Generally white tattoos don't last long. After healing, white ink tans easily, becoming cream or skin coloured. Larger areas of white fade quickly and become patchy. The more sunlight the tattoo is exposed to, the swifter it will fade. The paler your skin, the less it will show up after healing.

What color tattoo ink to avoid?

Generally speaking, there are no ``bad'' colors of tattoo ink. The FDA regulates tattoo ink and requires that all inks and pigments used for tattoos be approved for use in cosmetics and be non-toxic.

What to know before getting a white tattoo?

White tattoos are beautiful, but before you rush out to get inked you should know that:
  • They can easily fade is not taken care of.
  • Not every tattoo artist will tattoo them.
  • Your tattoo will tan like your skin, so remember your SPF.
  • They won't always look crisp white, they can look grey or yellow.

Tattoo Dos and Don'ts with Jon Mesa | INKED

How painful is white tattoo ink?

For those unfamiliar, white ink is notorious for being the most painful part of a tattoo session.

Do all white tattoos turn yellow?

White ink fades quickly. When they do, the color can change to a yellow or off-white color that isn't very attractive. This sometimes makes it more difficult to touch up or regain their original brightness. In reality, many people end up covering them.

What is the riskiest tattoo color?

Red ink is still the most likely color to cause skin problems. Why? Red tattoo inks are the most likely to cause health complications, including rashes and pseudolymphomas, both symptoms of an allergic reaction.

What color ink tattoo is banned?

The primary pigments under restriction are Pigment Blue 15 and Green 7. The ban took place in January 2023 following an additional one-year derogation period granted for these two pigments. The European Union ink ban allowed the derogation period to allow businesses more time to find safe alternatives​​.

What is the healthiest tattoo ink?

Unlike traditional tattoo inks that may contain heavy metals or other toxins, organic tattoo ink offers a safer and healthier option for both tattoo artists and clients. Using organic ink not only reduces the risk of adverse reactions but also promotes sustainability and ethical practices within the tattoo industry.

Are white tattoos expensive?

White tattoo ink is often used to create a more delicate look or to add contrast to black ink. It can also help cover up existing tattoos. White ink is more expensive than black ink, and it's also more likely to fade over time. Ultimately, the choice between white and black tattoo ink comes down to personal preference.

What color tattoo ink fades the most?

Pastel tones and neon shades are most likely to fade, while dark black, blue, and green hues last the longest.

Why is my tattoo turning white?

Tattoo may develop transparent white patches within 7 days of healing, don't panic, think it as a baby skin, its very new and fresh and it's still healing. Tattoo can never look as dark as it looked on the day one, you will see at last 20 percent faded colours once it is coldly healed.

Do white ink tattoos last?

White ink tattoos don't last as long as other tattoos. White ink fades into a color similar to caucasian flesh, making them much harder to notice after a few years. You're good to go if you want to tattoo over your white ink tattoo with a darker color when you feel confident you'd like to commit.

What is the downside of tattoos?

Tattoo ink can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can happen even years after getting a tattoo. Red ink tends to be more prone to allergic reactions that other tattoo ink colors. Skin infections.

Why do tattoo artists not like white ink?

White ink tattoos might also be considered more painful because of how many times the design must be tattooed. In order to completely saturate the intended area with ink, the artist will likely need to go over the white ink several times during multiple appointments with time to heal in between.

Are red tattoos illegal?

A new ban on colored ink for tattoos has come into force across the European Union on Tuesday, officials confirmed, despite opposition from tattoo artists across the bloc.

Why is red ink not legal?

Signing a check or endorsing the back of a check in red ink could trigger trouble—that is, it could delay payment of the check. In extreme instances of fraud prevention, it could even void the check's validity. “Red ink has been considered a warning color since the Cold War era,” says Angleton.

Are colored tattoos bad for you?

Tattoo ink colors are not regulated by the FDA. While there has been significant progress in the production and safety of tattoo inks, allergic reactions do still occur in some people. Some inks, such as red and neon inks contain chemicals and metals that may be dangerous.

What is the most regretted tattoo?

The types of tattoos people regret most are lettering/script (19%), symbols (16%), names (12%), animal designs (10%) and tribal tattoos (9%).

What color tattoo to avoid?

Yellows and Greens with Cadmium

Yellows and bright greens often contain cadmium, which can cause skin irritation and has been associated with other health risks. They also tend to fade or change color over time when exposed to sunlight.

Are tattoos hard on your kidneys?

A variety of medical products contain PEG, including laxatives. It can cause allergic reactions, however, and in the case of tattooing, research has suggested that repeated exposure to PEG could lead to kidney failure. We also found propylene glycol in 15 inks, though it wasn't listed as an ingredient in any of them.

Why does my white tattoo look pink?

Artists often note that white tattoos appear reddish during the healing phase due to the body's healing response.

Can an infected tattoo make you sick?

If you have a tattoo infection, you may experience: Chills. Fever. Inflammation (dermatitis).

Do white tattoos glow?

It's a common misconception that all white ink tattoos glow in the dark or under the black light. White ink on its own will not show up under black light. In order for your tattoo to glow under UV light, UV ink needs to be added to the white ink.

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