Composition Of Tattoo Ink
Tattoos have come a long way from what they were several decades ago. This advancement is due mainly to the different kinds of tattoo ink that have been developed through the years. Tattoo ink, in the past, used to be derived from botanicals and other natural components. These days, some of the natural derivatives from carbon and other metals are still being used along side other newly developed inks and pigments.
Purpose Of Carrier Solution
These days, one cannot really be one hundred percent sure what is in tattoo ink. These so called inks are actually pigments that are placed in a solution that carries them in such a way that the pigments stay evenly mixed, keeps the solution sterile and disinfected and provides easy application via the tattoo needles. The carrier solution is a great way to give the tattoo artist an easy way of applying the ink unto the individual's skin. Tattoo inks now come in many different colors and purposes. There are even some inks that are only visible under a special kind of light.
Tattoo Ink Chemistry
Tattoo ink is still composed partly of the same minerals that were used before. These mineral pigments are made up of powdered forms of carbon black and other minerals that bring color to the ink. Other components of modern tattoo ink may be composed of industrial organic pigments, plastic based pigmentation and some vegetable based pigments.
Of all the pigments, the plastic based ones are the ones with the most rich and intense colors. The problem with these is that many people have allergic reactions to them. Other innovative tattoo inks like glow in the dark and ultraviolet inks may be toxic or hazardous to one's health.
Black is the more common tattoo ink and it is composed mainly of iron oxide, carbon and logwood. Red pigments are among the ones that pose a higher allergy risk to people. This is due mainly to cinnabar and cadmium pigments, which are highly toxic. Blue tattoo ink is made up of cobalt blue pigments, azure blue pigments and some copper derivatives. Green ink is usually a mixture of yellow and blue ink to make a degree of green. Yellow ink is made up of cadmium yellow, ginger yellow and ochres. Yellow is yet another tattoo ink that may cause some allergic reactions to people. Most of the white pigmentation is derived from titanium oxides, anatase and rutile.
