Safety of Tattoo Inks

Butterfly Tattoo © Paul Anderson

One of the most common questions I am asked about tattoo inks is whether water-based inks are safer than those that include organic solvents (e.g., alcohol or propylene glycol). Mainly, the answer is no, providing the organic solvent is safe, because the longterm safety of a tattoo depends on the part of the ink that remains in your skin: the pigment. Pigments can be metal salts, organic dyes, natural vegetable dyes, minerals, or even plastics. Some pigments have a long track record of safety (carbon black), while others are inherently dangerous (radioactive glowing dyes).

The carrier liquid suspends the pigment, aids in application, and inhibits contamination from bacteria, mold, or fungi. Although the liquid is rinsed away or processed by the body quickly, the carrier can affect the longterm safety of the tattoo in a less-obvious way. Organic molecules, such as alcohols, can increase the permeability of skin, enabling more ink to enter the body than might be the case with water. Also, organic molecules can promote chemical reactions that might not otherwise occur. Basically, what I am saying is organic molecules can help to make an ink better and safer to apply, but if the pigment is hazardous, the organic molecules can increase your risk from them. Learn more...