Black remains safest. Blue and green inks with copper phthalocyanine pigments are safe too. Some parlous mix their own inks; it's generally safest to use branded inks that list their ingredients, says Dr Amit Karkhanis, laser and cosmetic physician.
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.
Eternal ink is probably the best one to go for. It's vegan, very little people have reactions to it, and it's easily obtainable on their site.
Most malignancies in tattoos occur in red, black, or blue tattoo inks and no cases have been reported thus far of malignancy in pink or orange tattoo pigments.
Color pigment does fade over time in skin. In the tattoo world, black is the best tattoo color because it lasts the longest, resistant to fading over time.
Black ink lasts the longest and is least likely to blur, making it the best choice of ink color for long-lasting tattoos. Black ink is so reliable it is usually used to help hold in color molecules.
For example, black ink tends to hold up better for longer periods. On the other hand, lighter colours, like yellow, pink, and white, might fade faster. This is due to the fact that different pigments have different levels of resistance to breaking down.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Found in some black inks derived from carbon black. PAHs are known carcinogens that can potentially leach into the skin. Heavy Metals: Inks containing lead, cadmium, chromium, or nickel can pose health risks, including carcinogenic effects.
Black ink is the safest color of tattoo ink, followed by some greens and blues.
Red ink tattoos often carry a variety of symbolic meanings. Red, as a colour, is frequently associated with passion, love, and desire, but it can also represent aggression, danger, or a warning.
In 2011, in a study in The British Journal of Dermatology, investigators reported the discovery that nanoparticles are found in tattoo inks. Nanoparticles are ultramicroscopic, making them able to penetrate through skin layers into underlying blood vessels and then travel with the bloodstream.
Nocturnal Tattoo Ink is the brainchild of renowned artists Franco Vescovi and Jack Rudy, who set out to formulate an ink that outperforms in richness and smoothness of shades. Nocturnal Tattoo Inks contain no harmful ingredients and undergo rigorous testing to meet the highest safety standards in the industry.
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.
Allergy in tattoos is seen mainly in red colors and in shades of red.
While there is usually not much pain difference between gray, black, or color tattoos, white ink tattoos are known to hurt more than others. The artist will often need to go over the same spot on the skin to saturate the area.
Red tattoo pigments are thought to contain toxic metals, which predispose the skin to a higher incidence of adverse reactions, particularly lichenoid and allergic contact dermatitis [8, 12, 13].
All of the lighter and brighter colours such as pink, yellow, light green/blue etc Will always fade faster than the darker colours, as well as the black and grey ink.
Allergic reactions.
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.
Tattoo ink, no matter the color, feels the same going into the skin. If you use one style of needle and try every color, you won't feel a difference. How much ink needs to be deposited for certain colors makes the difference. Darker ink doesn't need as much color packing.
Dr. Kunin reports that black might be the safest permanent tattoo ink; it is often derived from a substance called carbon black and rarely causes any kind of sensitivity issues.
Nevada-based tattoo ink manufacturer Sierra Stain has recalled three of its 'Bloodline' products after tests found they contained high concentrations of bacteria that could potentially "present a health concern to consumers", according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Kuro Sumi is ISO 13485 certified, which means that the ink is produced in compliance with the highest international safety standards.
Heavily deposited ink will hold its color and placement for decades. In comparison, more abstract feather ink is susceptible to fading. As a result, watercolor, fine line, and white ink feather tattoos will require touch-ups and redos after 5-7 years.
That's why when getting a tattoo as an older adult, says Mahlberg, go for those parts of the body that stay thickest and firmest, such as your shoulder, back or abdomen.