One of the main thing in tattooing besides the tattooer’s skills is high-quality tattoo ink. The brightness of the tattoo, the fast healing, the tattoo durability, and, even, the tattoo artist’s reputation depend on the inks quality. Hence, if you are going to do tattoos, you have to know everything about tattoo inks. We have prepared a little but sufficiently detailed guide for you in the article below.
What are tattoo inks made of?Â
Most people don’t know what tattoo ink is made of, and what its components are. Frankly, there is nothing surprising about this. However, if a tattoo artist does not know anything about the tattoo’s ingredients, that is surprising. If you are one of those – you should immediately close this knowledge gap.
Tattoo ink consists of two components:
- Pigment base or dye. The pigment gives the ink a rich color. For example, soot and bone charcoal are used as pigments earlier and today for producing the black tattoo ink. Different substances both metallic and organic, and even synthetic are used to manufacturing other colors. By the way, the latter are considered the safest for humans.
- Thinner. This is a liquid base, which evenly spreads the pigment and does not let it stick together. It helps when tattooing by transferring the pigment from the tip of the needle to the dermis. It also prevents the growth of pathogens in the ink.
Tattoo inks still contain the same time-tested mineral pigments today that our ancestors have used for thousands of years. But nowadays modern pigments have also appeared like metal pigments and plastic-based pigments.
Fortunately, more and more manufacturers offer eco-friendly tattoo inks using organic and plant-based pigments, as well as safe synthetics.
As with pigments, there are many thinners to help apply the pigment to the dermis. Plain water was used as a diluent in ancient times. Today, either distilled water or vodka, tequila and even medical alcohol are used as thinners because they are non-toxic and powerful disinfectants.
The manufacturers also add to the colors for tattoos the substances which can prevent bunching and adhesion of pigments as well as substances for prevention of inflammations and faster healing of tattoo like hamamelis virginia extract and glycerin.
What is the peculiarity of the luminous tattoo ink?
Luminous tattoo ink after tattooing glows in the dark. When this type of inks first appeared on the market, phosphorus was used to produce them. But it is hazardous to humans so modern tattoo artists no longer use phosphorus ink to achieve the glow effect.
To replace the chemically dangerous pigments, fluorescent inks are created now with the pigments that react to ultraviolet light. They are completely safe.
Are there any tattoo inks that do not cause allergies?Â
Manufacturers try in every possible way to create inks that will not provoke allergies. Synthetic inks allow to achieve this effect. However, no matter how sophisticated manufacturers, the risk of allergies remains.
Therefore, to avoid problems, test the tattoo ink on the client always and even if this person has already been your client. Since, even the composition of the new ink batch can be different and more allergenic. Actually, this problem has even more connected with the human body’s sensitivity than with the tattoo colors.
Vegan tattoo inks
Vegan customers who asked to create tattoo ink without using animal products were a big tattooers’ headache for many years. Fortunately, this is no longer an issue in today’s world: the biggest ink manufacturers have started making only vegan products. As it turns out, the updated formulation is not only the best solution for vegans, but has also become safer.
Is it possible to make tattoo ink at home?
Yes, it is possible to make tattoo ink at home, BUT it is not recommended. After all, the sterility is one of the main features of tattoo inks produced in a large factory. Achieving sterility at home is almost impossible, because manufacturers sterilize bottles with gamma rays.
But if you do decide to take that step, use Gamamelis or another antiseptic solution as a base. Add a little propylene glycol and a similar amount of medical glycerin. Finally, add some pigment powder to this produced liquid to give the tattoo ink the desired color.
To make your ink at home, you can buy pigment powder from reliable tattoo companies. Keep in mind about gigiene: do it in a clean room, wearing a mask and gloves to keep everything sterile. Always store the ink in a sterile container and away from direct sunlight so that it does not lose color.
