What are some of the biggest Tattoo Risks?

Ink makers are not required by the US Food and Drug Administration, or any other government agency, to list their product’s ingredients. All commercial ink manufacturers and many tattoo artists mix their own pigment formulations. These inks are mixed in a number of different types of carrier solutions.

The purpose of these carriers is to ensure the ink remains liquefied. They also inhibit contamination and assist in easing the injection of the pigments through the skin layers.

The most common and safest carriers are:

Ethyl alcohol (also known as ethanol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol)
Glycerin (a syrupy alcohol obtained from fats and oils)
Purified water (distilled or de-ionized mineral-free water)
Witch hazel (an alcoholic solution containing an extract that acts as a mils astringent)
Listerine
Propylene glycol (it’s often used to improve the spread ability of a product like ink).

Various pigment ingredients can produce side effects which include allergic reaction with the skin. These reactions may cause photo sensitivity to natural or artificial light and in extreme cases may even lead to scarring. Inks that glow in the dark, or blacklight-reactive fluorescent inks may be harmless or radio active it depends on the chemicals that are used to create the effect such as phosphors or EverGlow.

ABS plastic-based pigments have become popular because of the color vibrancy effect they can create but they can prove very difficult to remove even with multiple laser tattoo removal sessions or ipl tattoo removal. Most inks are harmless, but without regulation the risk will always remain. A reputable artist should be willing to describe the ink ingredients that will be used for your tattoo.

The modern tattoo gun creates many thousands of tiny puncture wounds through the top skin layers in order to inject the tattoo ink. The particles are then trapped in a network of tissue in a type of cell called a fibroblast. This process causes damage to both the epidermis and dermal layers and they become blended together rather than remaining separated by the layer that is usually between the two – where the natural pigment melanin resides. This causes some bleeding and your immune system responds to shut down the blood flow and begins sending some of the ink through the lymphatic system.

Initially the ink is suspended within the upper skin levels, but after 1 to 2 weeks it will become more concentrated in a lower area of the dermis. After 30 days or so the two layers of skin (epidermal and dermal) have had enough time to heal and trap the ink. Normally after about 90 days the pigments are encased by connective tissue that will hold the ink in place. Over time, the ink will continue to sink slightly deeper into the dermal layers making removal ever more difficult.

So for those considering their first (or maybe second if you’re still reading this) tattoo think long and hard before making your decision. Shop around to find the most professional and cleanest shop in your area and take the time to ensure that the design you choose is one you can live with forever because once the ink is in there it
is very difficult to get rid of even with laser tattoo removal, a tca tattoo peel or tattoo removal creams.
tattoo removal creams.