What is Tattoo Ink made from ?

Unfortunately, there are still no legal requirements or standardized recipes, on either a national or international level. For this reason there could literally be anything used to create the ink.

One thing we do know, is that all tattoo ink needs a base or carrier solution. This is essentially a solvent that can easily cross the skin membrane and pull through the ink molecules to make the tattoo more stable, and carry the ink deeper into the layers, thus rendering it permanent.
Usually this solution would be one or two of the following chemicals;

• Ethyl alcohol.
• Distilled water.
• Denatured alcohols.
• Methanol.
• Rubbing alcohol.
• Propylene glycol.
• Glycerine.

The carriers have the fortunate side effect of helping to reduce the risks of infection by sterilizing the skin on the way through. Homemade inks will normally use vodka as a carrier which also will reduce the potential for infection, although it can affect the blood alcohol level as it crosses into the bloodstream.

The very first inks were made from ground up carbon or ash, and in some remote areas where traditional ways are still practiced, this can still be so. Some of the very modern inks are being made from a high percentage of organic materials, such as plant derived solids, which has increased the potential for reactions due to sensitivity.

The widely accepted practice of using heavy metals in order to derive pigment is still current today, as no safer, suitable alternatives have been found. Many of the synthetic chemicals used for commercial colourings are simply too risky to use internally. Below is a list of the metals and minerals still commonly used in order to create your inks;

• Mercury for red.
• Cadmium for red, orange or yellow.
• Lead for yellow, green or white.
• Chromium for green
• Nickel for black.
• Zinc for yellow or white.
• Cobalt for blue.
• Aluminum for green or violet.
• Copper for blue or green.
• Iron for brown, red or black
• Titanium for white.
• Barium for white.

To reduce production costs, some tattoo ink manufacturers will blend heavy metal pigments with lightening agents, like lead or titanium. Pigments can also be made from other elements, including calcium, antimony, beryllium, sulphur or arsenic.

Are vegan Inks safer ?

No inks were ever made from meat or animal products so this is simply a marketing scam. Organic or vegan inks are not that different to standard inks, and in fact, have been the cause of more sensitivity reactions and immediate health problems than traditional inks due to the chemicals contained within them having not ever been tested for internal use.

Can tattoo ink make you sick?

Obviously the more ink you have, the more at risk you are from reacting to whatever is in the ink. Also there is more chance of liver damage due to toxic loading of the heavy metals. But this doesn’t mean you need to fully covered in ink to suffer. You can become ill after having your first tattoo, especially if you have it done overseas where the regulations are non-existent and the hygiene conditions may also add to the insult to your body. Alternatively, you may react to one of the new inks after just 1 tattoo, and you will continue to be ill for as long as the ink is in your body. The only way to safely remove the ink in this instance is with the assistance of a medical practitioner who can monitor your progress and advise you of new symptoms to look out for during your removal treatments.

It is a growing belief within the medical community that the massive increase in the last 10-20 years of non-specific malaise (such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is directly related to the growth in popularity of tattoos, but more than likely due to the massive growth of actual poisons that are being implanted and injected into the body, such as dermal fillers, breast, buttock and cheek implants.. and of course Botox. Which is actually Botulism a lethal poison and is currently manufactured from donated human plasma. In the USA it is common for people to sell their blood and blood products in order to maintain a lifestyle, and so is considered particularly dangerous as it has been known to carry other biological disease.

The main things for you to consider before getting a tattoo is that you have it done at a reputable studio and are happy that it is clean and hygienic.