Question:

Thanks.......

"Cherry"

Answer:

Printer ink, fountain pen ink, or inkjet printer ink are not safe for tattoos. Ballpoint pen ink is frequently used for tattoos especially, I understand, for prison tattoos. Of course many people have survived getting prison tattoos or home tattoos but given the availability of proper tattoo ink even without a license, it's not worth the risk.

Now on to the reasons why. Proper tattoo ink is carefully formulated, packaged and prepared to be safe, hypo-allergenic, and sterile. No other kind of ink can make this claim. Furthermore, and here's the "run away screaming part," any other kind of ink may contain carcinogenic compounds. That's right - cancer causing compounds such as benzene, a common chemical solvent.

Tattoo ink should be made from substances that don't cause allergic reactions, are safe for human consumption, and won't break down or spread and blur over time. Finally, if it is prepared from powder, only safe, sterile, and time-proven substances should be mixed with the powder to form liquid ink and only sterile equipment and containers should be used for mixing and storing the ink.

Finally, Cherry, I want to applaud your attitude about your daughter getting a tattoo and I hope my little rant hasn't scared you or your daughter away from bodyart. Please encourage your daughter to get a tattoo with not only proper, sanitary tattoo ink but one given using NEW, sterile, tattoo needles and done in a sanitary environment.

I could obviously go on and on about other things to keep in mind and check for when getting a tattoo or chosing a tattoo artist but I'm going to limit this post to the topic of tattoo ink. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Follow-up

Quote:

Thank you for your reply. You were very informative. I appreciate your politeness.....I posted the question on another board and the reply I got there was full of profanity and basically telling me I was a moron so, thank you for being so informative. I appreciate it.

Cherry