How to do a permanent tattoo?

Obviously, I’m not talking about peel ‘n stick tattoos, henna tattoos, airbrush tattoos, the so-called ‘sunburn’ tattoos, and other similar temporary “tattoos.” Permanent tattoos refer to skin art that’s done by sticking needles – often, lots of them! – in the skin.

Technically, you only need a needle and ink to make a permanent tattoo – this is what happens with DIY tattoos or stick and poke tattoos. This traditional way of doing tattoos is said to be more painful since one needle poke translates to just one dot on the skin.

A tattooist using a tattoo machine on a client (Photo by Antonino Visalli)

By contrast, modern tattooists use tattooing equipment such as coiled and rotary tattoo machines. These machines allow artists to use a cluster of tattoo needles to achieve different goals. Some needle groupings work great for tattooing small lines, thick lines and outlines on the skin. Other needles are more efficient for colour fillings and shading work.

What this all means is that tattooists can finish a large and complex tattoo in a relatively short period of time. This is because these machines can poke the skin hundreds or thousands of times a minute (no human can manually do this).

The tiny holes in the skin make it easy for tattoo ink to seep through to the skin’s inner layers. This is why it’s important to work with someone who knows how to do tattoos the right way.

An inexperienced tattooist can either puncture the skin too shallow or too deep – either won’t bode well for your tattoo. There’s really only one right way to do a permanent tattoo – and that is to deposit ink in the dermis layer of the skin.

If you’re asking how far tattoo needles need to go in your skin, well, that really depends on the area being worked on. Some body parts have more skin fat, while others are literally skin over bone. An artist who has prior experience in the same area will know exactly how deep the needle should go.

Related article: Tattoo Pain Chart: How Bad Do Tattoos Hurt?

How tattoos work: why are tattoos permanent?

Here’s a video showing why tattoos last so long on skin:

If you can’t play the video above, here’s what happens on the skin:

Tattoo ink is inserted in the dermis

Before we go further, I’d just like to say that I find it incredible that thousands of years ago, someone discovered (most likely by accident) that ink needs to be deposited at a certain depth so it can stay there permanently!

Now, as you can see in the image below, the human skin is made up of 3 layers:

• the epidermis (topmost layer)
• the dermis (middle layer)
• the hypodermis (bottom layer)

For tattoos to remain in the skin forever, the ink needs to be deposited in the dermis layer. This is because unlike the epidermis, the dermis does not shed or renew every 3-4 weeks.

Getting ink on the epidermis during the tattooing process is totally normal. However, you can expect it to disappear within a few weeks once the entire skin layer renews. This is the case with so-called “semi-permanent tattoos.” The ink gets absorbed in the epidermis but vanishes after a couple of weeks.

But what about the hypodermis, you ask?

Well, when ink gets into the hypodermis, it causes an effect called a ‘tattoo blowout.’ The ink underneath the skin spreads out and looks blurred. This is because the hypodermis is made up of blood vessels and lobules of fat cells, so it’s much harder for the ink to settle (unlike in the dermis). If you find your skin bleeding far more than usual, it’s highly likely the ink made its way into the hypodermis.

How does tattoo ink stay in the skin (or more specifically, the dermis)?

As soon as the tattoo needle punctures the skin and ink is deposited, the body’s immune system springs into action to try and repair the skin. It perceives the ink as a threat and sends macrophages to the area to try to contain it, so it can get rid of it.

Unfortunately for the macrophages (and fortunately for us tattoo lovers), the ink particles are way too big for them to absorb and destroy. So, they end up absorbing the ink and keeping them permanently in the dermis.   

However, over time and with frequent sun exposure, the ink particles will get broken down into smaller particles. This allows the body to get rid of the pigment where it gets carried away by the bloodstream, into the lymph nodes, and eventually, gets eliminated as waste. This is why tattoos look faded as the years go by.

What is tattoo ink made from?

Now that you know how tattoos work, it’s time to know what’s in the ink used in most tattoos. You may be surprised to know that the tattoo ink industry isn’t regulated, so there’s a wide variety of ingredients used to make the ink.  

That said, tattoo ink has two components: pigment and carrier. The pigment is basically the dye that gives colour to the tattoo. The carrier, on the other hand, is the liquid base that helps ‘transport’ the pigment from the needle to the skin.

Pigment

For pigments, the material used depends on the colour. To clue you in on how unsafe some tattoo ink ingredients are, here’s a partial list:

• Black ink – carbon, nickel, iron
• Red – mercury, cadmium
• Yellow – lead, cadmium, zinc
• Orange – cadmium
• Green – lead, chromium, aluminium, copper

As you can see, some of these ingredients are heavy metals! Sure, they’d add a nice colour to your tattoo, but don’t be surprised if you get a tattoo ink allergy. Also, some heavy metals can cause a reaction even on old tattoos. Cadmium, for instance, is photosensitive, so when it’s exposed to the sun, it can cause your tattoo to itch unbearably!

Carrier

Ink carriers play a huge role in ensuring the ink gets to the right spot. Distilled water can be used, yes, but many manufacturers (and artists who make/mix their own ink) prefer alcohol-based carriers. The alcohol prevents bacteria from growing in the liquid solution.

That said, some of the safer options out there include ethyl alcohol, glycerine, listerine, witch hazel and propylene glycol. Watch out – and stay away – from tattoo ink that uses denatured alcohol, methanol, rubbing alcohol, formaldehyde and antifreeze as carriers!

Fortunately, many ink manufacturers are now using more skin-friendly ingredients. Don’t be afraid to ask your tattooist about the ingredients used in their ink. You’ve got the right to know, it is your skin after all!

Related article: The Truth About Tattoo Ink: What Is Tattoo Ink Made Of?

What to look for in a tattoo artist?

Professional tattooists can charge a handsome price for their services. They spend years learning their craft. And it’s not a job for the faint-hearted. I mean, they are technically doing a minor medical operation and leaving a permanent mark on people’s skin. If they botch the job, it can come back to haunt them big-time.

Registered

Stay away from scratchers, a.k.a. unlicensed wannabe tattooists. You should only work with a registered tattooist. Their certificate or license should be displayed in their shop. If you can’t see it, then ask to see it. Better safe than sorry, mate.

Clean premises

Tattooing is a bloody business. You wouldn’t want to get blood and other organic matter from other people on you, right? That would be highly unsanitary and can lead to tattoo infection and various diseases!

Visit the studio prior to your appointment and take note of what’s going on inside:

• Does the tattooist put on fresh new gloves for every client?
• Do they use fresh, disposable needles for every appointment?
• Is the tattoo machine and its power supply wrapped in disposable plastic?
• What about the chair you’ll be sitting on? Is it wrapped in plastic as well?

You want to work with a tattooist who prioritises everyone’s safety. Bloodborne pathogens and viruses are no joke, as you’re probably aware of the recent coronavirus pandemic.

Experienced

If you want to get your money’s worth, then it’s best to work with someone who actually knows what they’re doing. If you’ve got a specific design in mind, you can look for a tattooist who specialises in your type of design.

If you don’t know anybody, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. The tattoo community is relatively small and tight-knit, and referrals happen all the time. That said, if you don’t have a specific design yet, ask to see their portfolio so you get a few ideas. You can also ask if they have any pre-designed artworks available.

Final thoughts

Now that you know how tattoos work, go on out there and have fun! Keep in mind all the pointers you’ve learned in this article, and you’ll have a safe and hopefully enjoyable tattooing session.

But let’s backtrack for a bit here. There’s a far more sinister reason why you should rethink getting a tattoo. It’s called tattoo ink poisoning. So, why exactly is this something to be afraid of? Well, this is what you’re going to learn in this article.

What is tattoo ink poisoning?

As the name suggests, ‘tattoo ink poisoning’ is someone getting poisoned by tattoo ink. This is what happens when tattoo ink is inserted into the dermis layer of the skin (as is the case with the normal tattooing process).  

Tattoo ink poisoning is different from an infection. Infections usually occur when the ink is contaminated with germs and bacteria, or the tattooist wasn’t all that hygienic with his equipment and tattooing tools.

Why ink poisoning happens

The answer lies in the ingredients used to make tattoo ink. You may be surprised to know that many tattooists don’t even know what’s in their ink.

But you really can’t blame them. Why? Because many ink manufacturers don’t even bother listing what’s in their ink! An honest-to-goodness ink company will list down the pigment base and ink carrier used, but they’re far and few in between.

The unfortunate truth is that dodgy manufacturers use heavy metals in their ink, and they don’t even bother informing their end users about it. In my opinion, this practice is very irresponsible. After all, that heavy-metal-laced ink will live in the skin forever. Think about how dangerous it is.  

That said, this is mainly why ink poisoning happens. If people are aware they’re going to have mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, and other heavy metals inserted in their skin, then I’m sure they’re going to change their minds about getting tattooed at that very instant!

Why ink poisoning sometimes appear to be delayed

Tattoo ink molecules are large enough to not get broken down by the body’s immune system immediately. But over time and with frequent sun exposure, the ink particles get broken down into smaller chunks which then get absorbed into the body. When this happens, there’s a chance some particles end up getting lodged in the lymph nodes.

And here’s where it gets interesting:

Since ink particles don’t usually get broken down right away, it can take several months or years before poisoning actually occurs. So, don’t be surprised if you experience ink poisoning symptoms well after you got your tattoo!

What are the symptoms of ink poisoning from a tattoo?

Tattoo ink poisoning symptoms are most similar to tattoo ink allergies. In most cases, they’ll start off as mild symptoms. But as more toxic ink particles get absorbed into your lymph nodes and other parts of your body, then the more severe the symptoms become. The symptoms may also vary depending on the tattoo ink ingredients used. These include:

• Joint pain and body pain
• Swelling in tattooed area as well as lymph nodes
• Rashes and skin bumps
• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Post tattoo headache and migraines
• Delayed healing – if poisoning occurs on an unhealed tattoo

What to do if you have a reaction to tattoo ink?

If you suspect you have tattoo ink poisoning, you should talk to your GP straight away. If your symptoms are rather severe, head to the nearest hospital. You don’t want to risk your condition worsening with each passing hour.

Also, now is a good idea to contact your tattooist and ask him for information about the ink used on you (if you didn’t get the information beforehand). Details like the brand name, colour, batch number and manufacturer’s contact details may help your doctor diagnose your condition.

Your tattooist will also appreciate you cluing him in on your situation, so he and his peers don’t use the same type of ink on future clients.

How to avoid tattoo ink poisoning?

In the grand scheme of things, there’s very little chance you’re going to get tattoo ink poisoning. You’re more likely to get an infection or an allergy rather than poisoning.

An infection can be avoided by making sure the tattooist operates in a sterile environment – and by you observing proper tattoo aftercare.

To minimise the risk of allergies, you can ask your tattooist to do a patch test to check if you’re allergic to the ink.

Lastly, the only sure-fire way you can protect yourself against ink poisoning is… by not getting a tattoo in the first place. You may not like this tip, but it’s the honest truth.

Conclusion    

Don’t let the remote possibility of tattoo poisoning scare you from getting inked. Unless, of course, you already have pre-existing medical conditions or known heavy metal allergies that will cause issues down the line. But if you’re healthy, go get inked and live your life to the fullest!

In the old days, ink ingredient was quite straightforward – ground ash and soot mixed with water were commonly used.  But even now, the US FDA, EU EMA, and the UK MHRA have no rules on what specific inks tattooists can use on their clientele.

In fact, the FDA even specifically states on their website that they “have not approved any pigments for injection into the skin for cosmetic purposes.”

That said, tattoo ink manufacturers now have so many possible ingredients to choose from. And with no official body standing guard, different brands are pretty much free to use their own chemical compositions or ink recipes. 

Unfortunately, however, some manufacturers care more about their bottomline than their customers’ well-being. Why do I say this? Well, it’s because some tattoo inks contain highly toxic, dangerous ingredients – things you wouldn’t knowingly want under your skin!

So, is tattoo ink toxic? And what’s in it exactly?

Hmmm… I wonder what’s in these ink bottles. (Photo by zach lee)

Not all inks are equal – some are safe enough to use whilst others may lead to tattoo ink allergies. But what is it that makes tattoo ink toxic or dangerous? Well, before I discuss the reasons why, it’s important to first understand tattoo ink composition.

Tattoo ink has two components:

1. Pigment base or colourant

The pigment gives the ink its rich colour. For example, for black inks, soot and bone charcoal are used as pigments. For other colours, other substances – both metal and organic – are used.

2. Ink carrier

This is the liquid base that evenly distributes the pigment and prevents it from clumping up. It aids in the application by carrying the pigment from the needle tip to the dermis. It also supposedly prohibits the growth of pathogens in the ink, but there have been reports of contaminated ink recalled by the FDA.

Most common tattoo ink pigments used

Tattoo pigments today still use the same time-tested mineral pigments that our ancestors have been using for thousands of years. But modern times brought about modern pigments, too; these include industrial metal pigments and plastic-based pigments.

Fortunately, more manufacturers are now coming up with skin-friendly tattoo inks using organic and vegetable-based pigments.  

So, here’s a simple table outlining what materials are commonly used to create which colour tattoo inks:

As you can see in the table above, the materials used to create tattoo ink varies a lot. And this isn’t even a comprehensive list, by any means!

For those DIYing their tattoos at home (or at prison, for that matter), ballpoint pen ink is even used. And, of course, that opens up a can of worms because pen ink ingredients vary widely, too!

What’s even more worrying is that many of these metals aren’t meant to be applied on human skin – much less inserted into it! And the almost-too-brightly coloured tattoos you see nowadays? Most are made with plastic-based pigments which are made for printer ink or car paint, which obviously wouldn’t make it ideal for human skin application.  

Most common tattoo ink carriers used

Just like with pigments, there’s also a wide variety of carriers used to aid in the application of pigment to the dermis. In ancient times, simple water was used as carrier. But, of course, us humans are a creative and resourceful bunch, and we’re not going to stop at water, are we?

Today, vodka, tequila and even rubbing alcohol are commonly used as ink carriers because they are supposedly (1) non-toxic and (2) they are powerful disinfectants. At least that’s what some tattoo ink makers say.

That said, here’s a table outlining the most popular ink carriers used today:

As you can see, the ink carriers on the right column aren’t exactly safe for intra-dermal skin use. And the horrible truth is that this information is not readily shared by manufacturers. So, even if you ask your tattooist, they may not have a clue about the ink ingredients used.

What’s the best tattoo ink to use then?

There are far too many tattoo inks to crown just one of them as “the best.” As you know by now, tattoo inks come in different colours and carriers. And tattooists even create their own ink recipes by mixing and matching various ingredients together!

Tattoo ink is complicated. But here are a couple of techniques to help ensure the ink that’s about to be tattooed on you is actually “the best” for you.

Ask your tattooist what’s in the ink

Your tattooist should only use ink that comes from reputable manufacturers. And in many cases, these companies will provide information about their ink, such as ingredients used, expiration date, lot number, and their contact information in case some problems arise from the use of the product.

If the tattooist can’t answer your questions or refuse to anyway, then go look for another artist that can give you what you need.

Ask the tattooist to do a patch test

The last thing a true professional want is for his or her handiwork to get infected, and essentially, ruined. So, they’d help you check in advance if you’ll run into issues later on.

That said, patch tests should be done for every type of ink that will be used on your skin. So, if your design requires the use of 4 or 5 inks, then you should get a drop of each ink applied – or even tattooed – on your skin.

You’ll be advised to observe the area for at least 24 hours. If no issues arise, then the inks are good to go (but not a guarantee you won’t encounter side effects later on).

Some allergies don’t appear until months or even years later – it all depends on changes to your body chemistry, the weather, your immediate environment, and many other factors. 

Are organic or vegan tattoo ink safer to use on skin?

I wonder what kind of ink he’s using on his client. (Photo by Allef Vinicius)

More and more people are putting their health first over skin art. It’s therefore not surprising to know that the demand for organic or vegan tattoo ink is rising.

In fact, some brands now create vegan inks devoid of glycerine from animal fat, bone char, and other animal by-products. They also tend to favour distilled or purified water as ink carriers.

But is it really safer than mineral- and metal-based ink?

The answer is a surprising no. I know… you were probably expecting vegan ink to be a much healthier alternative to traditional ink.

According to this article, all the health risks associated with traditional ink apply to vegan ink. Just because the pigment doesn’t contain animal products, it doesn’t mean that vegan ink doesn’t contain carcinogenic chemicals, too.

Moreover, vegan ink nanoparticles can still cause infections and allergies, just like other common inks.

Lastly, organic and vegan ink aren’t exempted from contamination during the manufacturing process, and even during the actual tattooing process itself.

Are glow in the dark tattoo inks safe to use?

Glow in the dark tattoos, a.k.a. black light tattoos, are popular among the youth. And it’s not surprising, really. In fact, if we’re being honest, it’s to be expected. It looks extremely cool, and so unlike any other tattoo out there!

With regards to the ink, it’s generally considered relatively safe nowadays. This is because most brands no longer use phosphorus, a dangerous substance that has no business being under someone’s skin.

Many manufacturers have replaced phosphorus with light-reactive ink that’s supposed to be a safer option. However, before you get a glow in the dark tatt, double check the ingredients list to ensure phosphorus isn’t on it!

Conclusion

Now that you know what tattoo ink is made of, will you still go through with your plan to get inked? Tattoo allergies and infections aren’t unheard of, but many people don’t experience adverse reactions to the ink. If in doubt, speak with your tattooist or GP to allay any of your concerns about tattoo ink, the tattooing process itself, and of course, tattoo aftercare.