Tattoos have become mainstream skin decorations that are often personal symbols. Despite their popularity, however, tattoos sometimes pose a risk of side effects that are related to the chemicals in the inks and not to the application itself. There are pigment carriers within each color that help tattoo ink penetrate the skin and keep it in liquid form prior to application. According to the Healthy Skin Association (HSA), these carriers include water, listerine, ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol and glycerin. There are several other chemicals in tattoo ink that vary by color.
Black, White and Brown
Black ink is the most common color used in tattoo art, sometimes used by itself or as an outline between other colors. HSA reports that black ink contains logwood, iron oxides and carbon. White contains zinc oxide, lead carbonate, barium sulfate and titanium dioxide. According to HSA, titanium dioxide has the least likelihood of an adverse reaction. Brown ink, also known as flesh tones, is comprised of clay and iron oxides.
Blue, Green and Violet
Blue tattoo ink contains chromium oxide, sodium aluminum silicate, cobalt aluminum oxide, carbonate or calcium copper silicate. HSA explains that copper-based colors like calcium copper silicate are the safest and are even used in baby products and contact lenses. Green pigments may contain lead chromate, oxide, ferricyanides and malachite. Violet tattoo ink is comprised of manganese violet pigments. According to HSA, violet ink has a tendency to lose color when exposed to regular sunlight.
Yellow, Red and Orange
HSA reports that the most side effects occur from yellow ink, partly due to the necessarily increased applications and to its derision from the ginger plant. Yellow ink is comprised of chrome yellow, ochres, disazodiarylide, cadmium yellow or curcuma yellow. Red inks contain iron oxide, cinnabar, napthol or cadmium red. According to HSA, red inks made of cadmium red and cinnabar are toxic and can cause side effects. Orange tattoo ink does not pose such risks and is made of organic-based components like cadmium seleno-sulfide, disazodiarylide or disazopyrazolone.
Precautions
According to Medical News Today, the ingredients in tattoo colors can vary slightly by manufacturer. Since some colors are mixed during application, it may be hard to identify the source of any adverse side effects. Side effects may include allergic reaction, redness and swelling. The HSA recommends that you use caution when getting tattoos with glow in the dark ink, as the chemicals pose the risk of radioactivity. Tattoo ink is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Considerations
Despite the risk of side effects of tattoo ink, tattoos are increasing in popularity, according to Medical News Today. Tattoo-seekers should choose their design wisely as the ink is difficult and expensive to remove. Also, you should only seek a reputable tattoo artist to minimize the risk of infection. New sanitation techniques have decreased the risk of side effects from tattoo needles.
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