Tattoo Dyes and Pigments

 

If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, you might be curious about the dyes and pigments tattoo artists use. Because these dyes and pigments are applied directly to your skin with a tattoo gun, it is important to educate yourself about allergic reactions and the ingredients in tattoo ink.

What Is in Tattoo Dyes and Pigments?

Tattoo dyes and pigments are not FDA approved, and little research has been conducted on how toxic tattoo inks may be. Because manufacturers are not required to reveal the ingredients, it is extremely difficult to know what is in tattoo dyes and pigments. However, the majority of today's pigments are metal salts, plastics, and possibly vegetable dyes.

Most pigments are mixed with a carrier to keep the pigment evenly distributed during application, to aid in skin application, and to inhibit pathogen growth. The following carriers are considered safe if they contain one or more of the following ingredients.

• Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol) - A grain alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, ethyl alcohol can cause dry skin and have nervous and respiratory system effects.
• Purified Water - This is water that uses reverse osmosis, filtration and distillation to remove contaminates.
• Witch Hazel - Derived from the plant, Hamamelis virginiana, this compound may cause local irritation.
• Listerine is an alcohol mixture that contains menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate, and eucalyptol and is used as an anti-infective agent. It can cause skin irritation and local allergic reactions.
• Propylene Glycol - A synthetic organic compound that is generally regarded as safe but can have an effect on the liver and kidneys in higher doses or in those suffering from illness or disease.
• Glycerin (glycerol) - This is a sugar alcohol that can have diuretic or laxative effects.

Pigments

The pigments used in tattoos range in variety from fifty to more. Industrial paints and metal salts are typically used as pigments. Copper, lead, and lithium are all highly toxic in high doses and are present in large quantities in many pigments.

BMEzine notes that while each ink manufacturer creates their own blend of pigments to create colors, several pigments are frequently used:

Black

• Iron Oxide
• Logwood
• Carbon

Iron oxide is made from iron and oxygen, seen in nature as rust. Logwood is a natural dye from logwood tree extracts, while carbon is ash or soot.

Brown

• Ochre
• Iron oxide

Browns are typically created from iron oxide and iron ochre clay.

Red

• Cinnabar
• Cadmium Red
• Iron Oxide
• Naphthol-AS pigment

Cinnabar, which is derived from mercury sulfide, is regarded as toxic. The heavy metal cadmium is the source of cadmium red, which may be carcinogenic. The azo pigment naphthol-AS is used in manufacturing and is categorized as such. Less allergic reactions have been noted to occur when this pigment is used. Note: Red pigments are frequently toxic and more frequently than other pigments cause allergic reactions.

Orange

• Disazodiarylide and/or disazopyrazolone
• Cadmium sulfide

Disazodiarylide is an organic pigment, while cadmium sulfide is an inorganic pigment that is toxic and possibly carcinogenic.

Yellow

• Cadmium sulfide
• Ochre
• Curcuma Yellow
• Chrome Yellow

Turmeric or curcumin, which are both organic compounds, are used to make curcuma yellow. Lead, a hazardous metal, is used to create chrome yellow. Yellow pigments are more likely to cause reactions than other colors because a large amount is required to produce a vibrant color.

Green

• Chromium Oxide (Cr2O3), called Casalis Green or Anadomis Green
• Malachite
• Lead chromate
• Monoazo pigment
• Cu phthalocyanine

Malachite and chromium oxide are both natural minerals. Lead is used to make the toxic substance lead chromate. Cu phthalocyanine is a synthetic pigment with no known toxicity, while monoazo pigment is an organic substance used in industry.

Blue

• Azure Blue
• Cobalt Blue
• Cu-phthalocyanine

Copper, carbonate (azurite), sodium aluminum silicate (lapis lazuli), calcium copper silicate (Egyptian Blue), additional cobalt aluminum oxides, and chromium oxides are frequently found in the composition of blues.

Violet or Purple

• Manganese Violet
• Quinacridone
• Dioxazine/carbazole

Organic substances include quinacridone and dioxazine/carbazole. Although quinoacridone is an FDA-approved food coloring, it can irritate tattoos. Ammonium manganese pyrophosophate is the component of the inorganic compound known as manganese. Over time, especially when exposed to sunlight, purples have a tendency to lose their brilliance.

Whites

• Titanium dioxide
• Lead White (Lead Carbonate)
• Barium Sulfate
• Zinc Oxide

Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring oxide that has been linked to animal cancer. Lead white contains lead, which has been linked to cancer in humans. Barium sulfate is derived from the metal barium and may cause skin irritation. Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound that can cause skin irritation.

Special Caution

In response to black lights, some tattoo pigments now glow in the dark. Some of these glowing pigments are radioactive or toxic, so consult your tattoo artist or your doctor before using one of these pigments in a tattoo.

Toxic Chemicals

There are several toxic chemicals found in tattoo inks. While this article will go over these in greater detail, you should consult with your artist or doctor before using any inks containing these substances.

Denatured Alcohols

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, denatured alchol is ethanol with toxic additives. When absorbed into the system, it can irritate and even burn the skin, as well as cause harmful effects.

Heavy Metals

Some tattoo inks may contain trace amounts of chemicals such as mercury, lead, beryllium, nickel, and even arsenic to improve permeance and brightness. While some of these metals can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, others are toxic and can cause long-term problems such as cancer or birth defects. Mercury, for example, is a neurotoxin that can cause nervous system defects, whereas arsenic and beryllium are carcinogens according to the EPA.

Ethylene Glycol

Ethylene Glycol, a toxic compound found in antifreeze, brake fluid, and solvents, can harm the kidneys and heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is not well absorbed through the skin.

Aldehydes

This chemical is an organic compound that contains the main chemicals found in embalming fluid and several solvents, formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen.

Less Toxic Brands

While the pigments and carriers used in tattoo ink can vary greatly, several brands are known to be less toxic. These brands typically use nontoxic carriers and pigments, and the majority are vegan, which means they do not contain animal byproducts. All of these brands provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to customers, which contain all of the information on hazardous ingredients and safety precautions. Among these brands are:

• Eternal Ink's products are made from organic pigments, deionized water, and hamamelis water, according to the company. They are vegan and are tested on a regular basis.
• Victory Tattoo Ink: These are made in America using pure natural pigments.
• Skin Candy: This tattoo ink manufacturer tests and bottles their products on-site in their clean room facility.
• Kuro Sumi: Kuro Sumi inks are made with organic, vegan-friendly ingredients and are completely safe, according to the company.

Allergies

True allergic reactions to tattoo dyes and pigments are uncommon, but they do occur. Inform your tattoo artist if you have sensitive skin or easily react to chemicals. Allergic reactions are more common with red and yellow pigments.

Understand the Risks

The most serious concerns about tattoo dyes and pigments appear to be about long-term effects. While tattooing appears to be safe in the majority of people in the short term, there have been no long-term studies on the effects of the pigments and dyes.

The FDA has no authority over the ingredients used in tattoo dyes and pigments. Tattoo ink manufacturers frequently refuse to disclose what ingredients go into their inks, leaving even the artist in the dark. Before getting inked, do as much research as you can into the pigments and dyes used in tattoos today. Remember that a reaction can occur even if you've previously been inked with a specific color with no problems.

Some tattoo artists mix their own colors, while others can advise you on which pigments lose color faster or are associated with higher rates of reactions. When you get a new tattoo, ask questions. You may discover that changing the colors in your design based on what you learn leads to a better overall result.

Get a Tattoo Color You Love

Once you've decided on the design of your tattoo, take the time to have your artist mix up a color that you truly adore. With the variety of pigments available today, you should have no trouble finding the exact shade you desire.