Tattoos are a common artistic outlet, evolving from cultural symbols to personal expressions. However, the beauty and artistry of tattoos can be overshadowed by hidden dangers concealed within tattoo inks, questioning the health risks of tattoos. Many inks contain unlisted pigments or additives as well as heavy metals, increasing the importance of understanding the risks associated with these potentially harmful substances found in most inks on the market. This post aims to uncover safer tattoo ink brands so that you can select non-toxic tattoo inks that are free of harmful substances.
Below are common concerning substances found in tattoo inks:
Heavy Metals: Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, titanium, aluminum, cobalt, nickel and several others are commonly present in tattoo inks. [1] Heavy metals in tattoo ink are usually found in colorful inks like red, blue, purple, green, yellow, and other bright colors. We are all exposed to heavy metals each day via what we eat, drink, use, and more. However, excessive amounts of heavy metals can accumulate in the body, increasing your risk of metal toxicity leading to various diseases, organ failures, and other concerns. [2] Regarding tattoos, ink can move through the body, traveling to lymph nodes or other areas, which could effect your health, but the impact that inks have in the body are not fully known. [3] Overall, tattoo inks are not generally a major source of heavy metal content comparatively, but they are still a source of exposure, so it’s important to choose safer ink tattoo brands to mitigate your risks.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): PAHs are a class of chemicals found in coal, crude oil, and gasoline that are known carcinogens (cancer-causing) and are commonly present in black tattoo ink. [4] Exposure to PAHs can lead to adverse health effects on your organs as well as various types of cancer and other serious health conditions. [5] Though tattoos typically cause relatively limited exposure to PAHs, it's best to select safer ink tattoo brands to limit overall exposure to unwanted substances.
This list is just the beginning, many inks have been found to be contaminated with propylene glycol, a synthetic liquid substance that can impact the kidneys and central nervous system, and even antibiotics. [6][7] Skin, being the body's largest organ, can absorb toxic substances such as those mentioned above, potentially resulting in some adverse health effects, though much is still unknown on this topic. This highlights the importance of the need for inquiry regarding ingredients in tattoo inks before making a permanent decision.
Top Non-Toxic Tattoo Inks
Many brands continue to acknowledge consumer health concerns regarding tattoo ink and are developing safer and vegan-friendly inks. The six options below offer safer tattoo ink alternatives that not only minimize health risks, but also support a more sustainable and eco-friendly tattoo culture.
Please note, while the tattoo ink brands below are better than many other options on the market, all of them except for one, Dynamic Color, were found to contain unlisted substances in the inks when tested in concentrations of 2,000 parts per million (ppm) or more. [8] In general, the inks recommended below may be better than most conventional inks on the market, but they are not perfect. The tattoo ink industry needs to continue to take steps toward transparency and using safer ingredients. The good news is that the below ink brands are leading the way toward a healthier future.
Dynamic color accurately lists the ingredients in their inks on each of the bottles. Also, when I contacted them, they provided a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) that can also be found on their website regarding the safety of the ingredients in their inks.
SOLID INK offers inks that are vegan and gluten free, while doing their best to use natural and safe ingredients. Their inks are considered non-toxic under the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1910,1200). They list the ingredients used in each of their inks on the bottle and they state on their website that their inks do not contain “carcinogenic, reprotoxic or mutagenic substances.”
Quantum Tattoo Ink provides inks that are vegan, kosher, and organic. Their inks are compliant with all European Union quality standards. The ingredients used in their tattoo inks include organic pigment, kosher vegetable glycerin, ethyl alcohol, distilled water, eucalyptus, thymol, and menthol (no added acrylic). They provide a further breakdown of each of these ingredients on their info page.
Tommy’s StarBrite Colors are vegan and gamma treated. Their inks are compliant with health standards and regulations worldwide. They do their best to be transparent and even provide a list of all of their ink colors with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each of them.
Intenze pigments are vegan and made in the U.S. in an ISO 9001/2005 and ISO 22716 facility. Many of their inks are made from organic pigments and ingredients. They do testing for heavy metals, PAHs, and other substances, which they passed in all categories. Additionally, they are currently working on reducing their packaging materials and implementing other eco-friendly tattoo solutions.
World Famous Ink offers vegan-friendly tattoo inks and they are relatively transparent about their products. Their inks are made in the U.S. and they provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) regarding their inks' formulations. The ingredients used in their inks are a blend of powdered pigments, aqua/water, hydrocarbon resins, glycerin, witch hazel, isopropyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol.
Overall, the tattoo ink industry is still struggling with full transparency about their ingredients and manufacturing processes, and while the options listed above are certainly better than many other brands on the market, there is still room for improvement.
The health risks related to tattoo inks will most likely always be present in some capacity, but you can mitigate your risk by choosing safer brands like those mentioned above. When selecting a tattoo parlor do your research beforehand to ensure that the place is reputable, clean, and uses safe tattoo ink like the above brands. Though no tattoo ink is perfect, these actions are a step toward safer body art.
While tattoos are a beautiful form of self-expression, it's essential to be informed about the potential risks associated with tattoo inks. By choosing safer, non-toxic tattoo inks, you are investing in your health and well-being, ensuring that your tattoo not only looks good, but is also safer for you.
References
[6] https://www.sciencealert.com/study-uncovers-hidden-ingredients-in-83-of-tattoo-inks-raising-concerns
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