What is in Tattoo Ink?

Hello! I am learning all I can about tattooing here at Speakeasy Tattoo in Los Angeles California. This week brought me to a simple question, what is in tattoo ink? I’ve wondered this for a while and know that different cultures use different types of pigmentation but today I’ll be diving into some of the more commercial inks and what they consist of. 

Ancient Polynesian Tattoo practices used all natural materials to create their body artwork. “The ink was produced from charcoal made from the ti’a’iri, or candlenut tree, diluted in oil or water. The teeth of the comb were dipped in the ink and then placed on the skin. The ‘comb’ was tapped repeatedly to pierce the skin and let the ink penetrate” (Tahiti tourisme). 

In typical tattoo shops you’ll most likely see many artists using Dynamic Ink for their tattoo art. The ingredients in Dynamic Ink are CI#77266, isopropyl alcohol, and distilled water. CI#77266 is a carbon black pigment used in cosmetics such as eye liner. Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent used for sanitizing skin. Distilled water is water that has gone through a distillation process which makes it not contain any other minerals or contaminants. 

You will also most likely see Eternal Ink. Eternal Ink’s ingredients are natural pigments and deionized water. “Eternal Ink is free of animal by-products and is vegan” (Eternal Ink). Deionized water is water that is demineralized and has had ions removed. 

It is good to know what ingredients are in your tattoo ink and how they interact with the skin. It is also good to know that some inks will react to sensitive skin differently than others. For example, red ink is more likely to have a reaction to sensitive skin than other pigments. This is due to ingredients meant to make the ink brighter but sometimes causes inflammatory reactions in the skin. 

So if you know you have more sensitive skin it might be a good idea to get a tattoo that doesn’t include red ink. It's all about knowing your skin and knowing what's best for you. Your tattoo artist will also be able to tell you which inks will work best for your skin type and skin tone. 

Happy tattooing!