Are Tattoos Bad For You? Natural Tattoo Safety Tips - In On Around (2024)

Getting tattoos is getting more and more popular these days. Many individuals prefer small, delicate tattoos on their fingers or ankles, or even full sleeves.

In fact, according to Pew Research, a little over 30% of people in the United States have at least one tattoo. Almost 70% of the people in the US with tattoos said that they got their tattoo to honor someone or something, so they definitely can hold a lot of meaning for people. But you may not know what tattoos are made of or how they become permanent additions to your body.

A tattoo is a form of permanent body art created by injecting ink, dyes, or pigments into the second layer of skin, known as the dermis. The process involves using needles to deposit the ink beneath the surface, where it stays trapped as the skin heals over it. This results in a design that becomes part of the skin. Tattoos can come in various designs and styles, and a professional who creates these designs is called a tattoo artist.

Before getting a tattoo, it is important to be informed about what a tattoo actually is made of and be sure that you want the design on your skin permanently. Tattoo removal is painful, expensive, and may not be great for you (but more on that later).

Tattooing has a very rich and diverse history! It has been used in many different cultures to represent power or shame. Historical evidence has shown that cultures from Africa, Siberia, Polynesia, South America, and Greece practiced tattooing for many different reasons. Some cultures wanted to mark special events with tattoos and others used tattoos as a form of punishment.

Early evidence of tattooing dates back thousands of years. The oldest known tattoos were found on the Iceman, discovered on the Italian-Austrian border, who lived around 5,200 years ago.

Tattoos have had a very different meaning in Samoan culture. Tattoos have been such an important part of their traditions for over two thousand years. Tattoos are handmade, and it is typical for fathers to teach their sons how to tattoo. For Samoans, tattooing can take a long time, and tattoo ceremonies are common. Tattoo ceremonies are “generally held to mark a younger chief’s ascension to a leadership role within society.” After enduring the long and painful process, the tattoo becomes a symbol of their dedication.

A fun fact for you, the word tattoo in the English language may be derived from the Samoan word tatau!

The process of getting a tattoo today involves several steps and the use of modern technology. This process has evolved over time. The first electric tattoo machine, patented by Samuel O’Reilly in 1891, revolutionized tattooing and increased its popularity. In the past, inks were made from geological or mineral sources, but today, organic pigments are more commonly used, along with preservatives, binders, and fillers.

Here is a summary of the tattooing process:

The artist will provide aftercare instructions, which are crucial for proper healing. The healing process involves several stages:

• Stage One (Days 1-6): Oozing, swelling, and redness, with scabbing starting to form. During this stage, it is important to apply warm water and fragrance-free soap on the tattooed area with clean fingers (avoid rough napkins or washcloths).
• Stage Two (Days 7-14): Itching and flaking as the dead skin and scabs fall away. During this stage, it is critical to keep the skin moisturized. A great moisturizer that you could use is jojoba oil!
• Stage Three (Days 15-30): The tattoo appears healed but may still be repairing deeper skin layers. Continue moisturizing to prevent dryness.

Following these steps carefully will help your tattoo heal properly and without complications.

According to Tattify, pigments can contain various metals and compounds: _[1]

• White pigments: may contain lead, zinc, titanium, and barium.
• Yellow pigments: often have lead, cadmium, and zinc.
• Red pigments: can include mercury, cadmium, and iron.
• Orange pigments: usually have cadmium.
• Green pigments: may contain lead, chromium, aluminum, and copper.
• Blue pigments: often have copper and cobalt.
• Black pigments: typically contain nickel and iron.

Wellness Mama shared that carrier solutions can often include: _[2]

• Solvents: such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), glycerin, and propylene glycol.
• Emulsifiers: which can be a variety of esters.
• Binders: such as polyethers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, block-copolymers, and shellac.
• Anti-foaming agents: like polydimethylsiloxane.
• Preservatives: including parabens, phenols, formaldehyde, methylisothiazolinone, and various petrochemicals.
  • To learn more about parabens, check out: Paraben Safety – Are Parabens In Makeup Harmful?

As if the ingredients in the pigments and carrier solutions aren’t frightening enough, tattoos may be contaminated with:

• Microorganisms: including bacteria like “Staphylococci, Streptococci, and Pseudomonas species.”
• Nanoparticles: these may be dangerous because they can make their way into the bloodstream and potentially cause toxicity.

Recent studies, like the one done at Binghamton University, have shown that many tattoo inks, actually 83% of inks, contain substances not listed on their labels, such as pigments, additives, and even antibiotics. _[3]

This lack of transparency can pose additional risks to those getting tattoos. If people were more informed about this issue, they may be less likely to get a tattoo or more likely to get a tattoo using the ink from a transparent brand.

According to the study, the ink brand Dynamic was the only one they tested that was fully transparent. It’s also important to note that unless specified as “non-toxic” or “chemical-free,” tattoo inks can contain potentially harmful elements. _[3]

The FDA’s oversight of tattoo ink is not as stringent as it is for drugs or medical devices, but they do focus on the color additives used in the inks. The FDA has some oversight on the ingredients (some, not all), but not the entire final tattooing product. This means that while color additives must be approved for cosmetic use, the overall safety and efficacy of the inks aren’t evaluated.

As a conscious consumer, you must do your due diligence. Do your research!

Tattooing can pose several health risks, primarily due to the potential contamination of tattoo inks with microorganisms. Studies have shown that tattoo inks can be polluted with various bacteria, including Staphylococci, Streptococci, and Pseudomonas species, despite the presence of preservatives. _[4]

These bacterial contaminations can lead to infections, which might occur due to multiple factors:

• Contaminated Ink: The FDA found that inks can become contaminated with bacteria, mold, or other microorganisms. Even sealed containers labeled as sterile can harbor these contaminants, often due to non-sterile water used to dilute the pigments. _[5]
• Unhygienic Practices: Infections can also arise from unhygienic practices in tattoo studios, such as poorly disinfected skin or non-sterile equipment.
• Aftercare Behavior: The risk of infection can be heightened by improper aftercare by the person getting the tattoo.

The FDA has also found that some tattoo inks contain pigments that they have not approved for injection into the skin. These pigments can be used in printer toner or car paint – yikes!

Given these risks, it’s crucial to do your research before getting a tattoo to find a tattoo place that you trust. Both tattoo artists and clients must follow strict hygiene practices, use high-quality and sterile inks, and be diligent with aftercare to minimize the chance of infections and other health issues.

Vegan tattoos use inks free from animal-based and insect-based ingredients. This includes glycerin from animal fat. Instead, they rely on plant-based glycerin and natural plant or mineral sources for colors.

According to Wellness Mama, vegan sources of colors can contain: _[2]

• Black dye: Carbon and logwood
• White dye: Titanium dioxide
• Blue dye: Sodium, copper, and aluminum
• Green dye: Monoazo (carbon)
• Yellow dye: Turmeric
• Red dye: Naphthol

These natural ingredients may be less likely to cause allergic reactions or toxicity. Safe carriers for vegan tattoo ink include vegetable-based options like water, witch hazel, or ethanol.

Henna tattoos, originating from India, use a dye made from the henna plant, which is dried, ground into a paste, and applied to the skin. Henna tattoos are temporary. They only last a couple of weeks because they stain the epidermis.

While traditional henna is generally safe, the FDA has warned that “black henna” can be dangerous. _[6]

This is because black henna usually contains p-phenylenediamine (PPD), which can be used as a hair dye. PPD may cause severe skin reactions like redness, lesions, sensitivity to the sun, skin blistering, scarring, and more. Luckily, it is illegal to put PPD in cosmetics for the skin (but it doesn’t mean it’s not available).

To be safe, make sure the henna used is pure from the plant and free from harmful additives, like PPD.

To learn more about black henna and PPD, check out our article on hair dye: Non-Toxic Hair Dye For Pregnancy – Is It Safe?

The term “organic” in tattooing refers to a style rather than the ingredients used. Organic tattoo designs incorporate natural elements from the earth or human anatomy.

Biomechanical tattoos are a little different. They combine these organic elements with machine parts to create cyborg-like designs. While they don’t specifically use natural or organic ingredients, the style focuses on integrating natural and mechanical elements in the artwork. Unfortunately, there are no additional health benefits from getting nature tattooed on your body!

Overall, while these additional tattoo options may offer various benefits, it’s crucial to research and ensure the safety and purity of the materials used to avoid adverse reactions.

Microblading is a “permanent makeup” technique used to enhance eyebrows by creating the appearance of fuller or more evenly shaped brows. Microblading is technically semi-permanent – to prevent fading, you will need touch-up appointments every 1-2 years.

Curious about what a microblading procedure is like? Microblading is performed by a cosmetic tattoo artist or doctor. The cosmetic tattoo artist or doctor outlines the desired brow shape and then uses a tool with tiny needles to deposit pigment into the top layer of the skin. The way that they work the needle should give the illusion of natural hair. The process is detailed and can take about two hours.

• Infection Risk: If there is irregular redness, oozing, crusting, or extreme swelling after the procedure, it could indicate an infection, requiring immediate medical attention. Talk to your doctor ASAP.
• Regulation: The FDA does not oversee the pigments used in microblading, so there is a risk of allergic reactions and contamination.
• Precision: The procedure must be done correctly because mistakes are difficult to correct and it takes a long time for the microblading to fade.

There are also a lot of people who should avoid microblading, including:

• Pregnant women
• Nursing women
• Those with heart conditions
• People who have received an organ transplant
• Men or women with skin conditions or very sensitive skin
• People on Accutane

… it’s always best to chat with your doctor to make sure you’re a candidate beforehand.

Tattoo removal involves breaking down the ink particles in the skin so the body can naturally eliminate them.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are various methods to achieve this: _[7]

• Laser Tattoo Removal: This technique uses lasers to break the ink into smaller particles that the immune system can process and remove. It minimizes the risk of scarring.
• Tattoo Removal Creams: These creams aim to fade the tattoo by breaking down the ink particles. It has a lower risk of scarring.
• Dermabrasion: This method involves sanding down the top layers of the skin to remove the ink-containing skin, often resulting in some degree of scarring.
• Chemical Peels: Chemicals are applied to the skin to peel off the top layers, taking the tattoo ink with them. This also tends to cause scarring.
• Surgical Excision: This involves cutting out the tattooed skin and stitching the remaining skin back together, which usually results in noticeable scarring.

It is possible that tattoo removal could help lessen the heavy metals in your body. However, if you are getting laser tattoo removal or using creams, it is unclear if these methods truly remove heavy metals.

These methods work to break down the ink particles so that your body’s immune system can process and remove them. This removal would be very dependent on your body’s ability to detox, the health of your liver, and the strength of your immune system.

If you’re still looking to get a tattoo (again, no shame – you can choose for yourself), follow these best practices:

1. Strict Standards: Choose a studio that you trust and that has strict safety standards and hygiene practices – do not be afraid to reference this article and ask tough questions
2. High-quality Ink: Use Dynamic tattoo ink
3. Disinfection: Make sure your skin is properly disinfected before the tattoo process begins
4. Aftercare: Be diligent with your post-tattoo care – Keep it clean and monitor for infection
5. Healing Time: Give your skin at least two weeks to heal – avoid direct sunlight during this time, pools, and jacuzzis
6. Supplementation: Focus on detoxing heavy metals after you get your tattoo by consuming binders like activated charcoal (do not consume with meals or supplements), adding chlorella or milk thistle to your supplement routine, drinking lots of water, and eating leafy greens.

Of course, talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement routine.

If you recently got a tattoo and you want to heal the damaged skin, these may be able to help:

• BLDG Active Skin Repair Spray
• Jojoba oil (after wound heals)
• Organic unrefined shea butter (after wound heals)
• Consume lean protein and leafy greens
  • You can learn more about the best protein options here: What Is The Healthiest Lunch Meat? Processed Meat 101
• Consider supplementing with collagen or drinking bone broth
  • Learn more about collagen: Collagen Supplements 101 – Collagen Powder Side Effects
  • Learn more about bone broth: The Healing Benefits Of Bone Broth For Gut Health
• Consider adding raw honey to your diet
• Colloidal silver
• Talk with your provider about supplementing with zinc and vitamin C