Heavy Metals: Inks containing lead, cadmium, chromium, or nickel can pose health risks, including carcinogenic effects.
- Red Ink: Often contains mercury sulfide or cadmium, which can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation. - Yellow Ink: May contain cadmium, which is toxic. - Black Ink: Sometimes contains carbon black or other additives that can lead to reactions, especially if they are not high-quality pigments.
All ink is safe, the risks of allergy/negative reaction is overall very low. Black ink is the safest, as its pigment is just carbon.
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.
Checking the ink's ingredients is crucial to avoid potential allergic reactions or toxicity. Look for inks that list their components clearly and avoid those containing heavy metals, preservatives, and other harmful substances.
Tattoo Ink Safety
However, some colors, particularly red, green, yellow, and blue, are more likely to cause a skin reaction.
FDA has not approved any tattoo pigments for injection into the skin. This applies to all tattoo pigments, including those used for ultravioloet (UV) and glow-in-the dark tattoos. Many pigments used in tattoo inks are industrial-grade colors suitable for printers' ink or automobile paint.
An example of a tattoo ink risk is that some reds contain mercury. Some reds can also contain other sources of color, such as iron oxide. While red causes the most problems, most other colors of standard tattoo ink are also derived from heavy metals. Tattoo inks are under the governance of the USFDA.
However, some of the most popular and highly regarded tattoo ink brands among tattoo artists include: Eternal Ink, Dynamic Ink, Intenze Ink & Solid Ink. Ultimately, the best tattoo ink is one that is safe, high-quality, and meets your personal preferences and needs as an artist.
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.
But one thing many people might not have on their list is checking in with the type of ink used. It's important to know about tattoo ink before getting a tattoo because it's a key component of the tattooing process and can have a significant impact on the quality and appearance of the tattoo.
Answer: Yasutomo Non-Toxic Sumi Ink contains no shellac and dries to a matte finish. It is made out of pure vegetable soot with no additives or preservatives. The dense black ink is lightfast and water-resistant when dry.
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.
The consensus is no. Some researchers have argued that tattoos may be boosting the immune system. Anthropologists from the University of Alabama likened getting tattoos to going to the gym – each workout strengthens the body.
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.
Some tattoo ink contains traces of metal, but most tattoos are safe in an MRI scanner. Tell the radiographer immediately if you feel any discomfort or heat in your tattoo during the scan.
Gray tattoo ink contains PAHs as the only organic contaminants. This color has the fewest reported organic contaminants, likely due to dilution with white tattoo ink. Inorganic contaminants, including cobalt, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel and lead, are another cause for concern outlined in the study review.
Although research is ongoing at the FDA and elsewhere, there are still a lot of questions about the long-term effects that may be caused by the pigments, other ingredients, and possible contaminants in tattoo inks. The FDA has received reports of bad reactions to tattoo inks right after tattooing and even years later.
Bloodline brand Tattoo Pigments recalled due to potential microbial contamination.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of chemicals which are known carcinogens, was found in a fifth of the samples tested and in 83% of the black inks tested by NICNAS.
If equipment used to create a tattoo has infected blood on it, you can get diseases that are spread through blood. Examples include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. To lower your risk, get vaccinated for hepatitis B before you get a tattoo.
[9,10] Chronic allergic reactions to tattoo ink are the most common chronic tattoo reaction. These reactions can even occur months to years after getting the tattoo.