Nowadays, there are virtually no limits when it comes to colored tattoos – from vibrant butterflies and unconventional graphic motifs to mandalas with colorful accents and realistic portraits, almost anything is possible. However, the REACH regulation has significantly changed the landscape of tattoo inks.
In this blog post, we provide you with a brief introduction to tattoo inks, explain what the regulation is all about, and how it will affect tattoos in the future. One thing is for sure: the trend for colored tattoos is here to stay!
Tattoo inks are solutions with a high concentration of pigments that are embedded into the skin. They are injected into the dermis using a needle, and over time, they migrate only minimally.
The ingredients in tattoo inks influence both the color outcome in your skin and the longevity of your tattoo. The composition of tattoo inks is relatively simple. In addition to various pigments, preservatives, and carriers such as alcohol and water, they also contain substances that soothe the skin during the tattooing process.
The pigments, which are the main components of tattoo inks, are solid or liquid substances that absorb or reflect light to produce color. Typically, tattoo inks consist of inorganic pigments, as these tend to be more durable than organic ones.
The longevity of a tattoo depends not only on the pigments used but also on the carriers. These carriers help suspend the pigment particles in a liquid consistency, ensuring an even distribution of color.
Preservatives are added in very small amounts to extend the shelf life of the ink and to prevent infections from bacteria or fungi. Some preservatives, however, are not suitable for use on the skin and can trigger allergic reactions. That’s why it’s important to purchase tattoo inks from reputable manufacturers that use high-quality ingredients. We source our inks exclusively from a Swiss supplier, ensuring compliance at all times. If you have any questions about our tattoo inks or your desired design, feel free to book a free, no-obligation consultation with us.
REACH stands for “Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.” This is a European regulation that came into effect on January 5, 2022, and was issued by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Since then, thousands of chemicals used in the EU are subject to various restrictions, including those found in tattoo inks and permanent makeup.
Since January 2022, only tattoo inks that comply with the REACH regulation may be used. This means that during production, certain ingredients must be omitted, specific limit values must be adhered to, and mandatory information must be provided on the labels.
Tattoo inks have often been criticized in recent years due to their ingredients, as there are indications that they may, for example, trigger skin allergies or even lead to genetic mutations. The new regulation is designed to ensure that chemical substances are produced and used safely in Europe. When manufacturing tattoo inks, manufacturers must now follow strict guidelines to avoid any health risks.
They must prove that their products are free from the affected chemicals. These include certain azo dyes, carcinogenic aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, and methanol. Additionally, banned preservatives, stabilizers, and plasticizers are not permitted.
Before the regulation came into force, there were already a few manufacturers offering REACH-compliant inks with harmless ingredients. Now, most manufacturers are following suit.
