The legal concentration levels of 4,000 chemicals typically found in inks - such as isopropanol alcohol - has been lowered, while 25 pigments (including variations of red, orange, yellow…) have been completely banned due to “a potential risk to human health”.
Red: Red pigment often causes the most skin reactions and is considered the most dangerous because it contains cadmium, mercury or iron oxide.
Why are coloured tattoo inks being banned? The reason for the ban comes down to the chemicals found in the coloured ink used for tattoos.
For some, red ink can spark a potentially serious allergic reaction, turning the tattoo experience into a nightmare. Pimple-like bumps, blisters, and raised, scaly patches that flake off can appear. There could also be a watery discharge from the site.
Red ink is still the most likely color to cause skin problems. Why? Red tattoo inks are the most likely to cause health complications, including rashes and pseudolymphomas, both symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Those who want go ahead with getting a tattoo anyway despite the risks should consider steering clear of colors derived from heavy metals. Dr. Kunin reports that black might be the safest permanent tattoo ink; it is often derived from a substance called carbon black and rarely causes any kind of sensitivity issues.
Black remains safest. Blue and green inks with copper phthalocyanine pigments are safe too. Some parlous mix their own inks; it's generally safest to use branded inks that list their ingredients, says Dr Amit Karkhanis, laser and cosmetic physician.
The legal concentration levels of 4,000 chemicals typically found in inks - such as isopropanol alcohol - has been lowered, while 25 pigments (including variations of red, orange, yellow…) have been completely banned due to “a potential risk to human health”.
Most inflammatory reactions to red tattoo inks occur as a response to the red pigment and can have hyperkeratotic, nodular, plaque, exudative or ulcerative manifestations. 4 Such reactions may have a latency period varying from weeks to months or even years after the tattoo is inked.
Red ink will lose vibrancy and fade more quickly than black or dark-colored inks, so it should be avoided as an outline color when possible. Colors like orange and yellow will still fade faster than red, but red tattoos will likely require touch-ups over time.
The European Union (EU) has effectively outlawed the use of colored inks in tattoos from Tuesday citing health concerns. Officials say that around 4,000 chemicals used in the inks can cause “cancer or genetic mutations.” However, the decision is being opposed by tattoo artists and their customers.
The color of your ink will make your tattoo age a whole lot better. Darker colors, especially black, fade much less than brighter colors, especially red. Black and grayscale colors last usually longer than colored tattoos. This is especially the case with white hued tattoos.
Coloured tattoo inks are set to be banned in the European Union from 4 January, 2022. Around 4,000 chemical substances used in the production of permanent make-up and coloured inks, will be outlawed from 4 January, according to The Independent.
The color red is often associated with love, desire, and sensuality. It evokes emotions ranging from passionate love to intense anger, and everything in between. Red ink is frequently chosen to represent deep connections, fiery personalities, or as a bold expression of individuality and personal power.
To answer that question, it's important to take a look at exactly why these inks have been banned. The EU's Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) have found certain chemicals used in coloured tattoo inks can cause "cancer or genetic mutations".
Signs of an ink allergy: Most people develop an allergy to a specific color of ink. Red is often the culprit, but any color can cause an allergic reaction. When this happens, you may notice one or more of the following in only one color of ink: Redness and swelling.
It's usually because there are many heavy metals in it. Cinnabar, a metal-based in mercury, was found in red ink quite typically in the past. Over time, organic pigments that no longer contain mercury (such as azo dyes) have risen to the occasion.
Colored tattoos usually cost more than tattoos with only black and grey ink. Colored inks cost more to buy and replace than black, therefore most artists will tack that on to the price of your tattoo. It also takes a lot longer for artists to change and mix colors while tattooing you.
Older tattoos may be raised due to scar tissue
Thicker lines, and more pressure applied during tattooing, can cause some scarring. It's nothing to be concerned about, but it can sometimes raise up, and this is generally caused by changes in body temperature or weather conditions, as well as general health.
Do red tattoos show up on black skin? Red tattoos are often used as accents or highlights, and they can look great against darker skin tones. As long as the artist uses dark red ink, the tattoo will be visible and stand out nicely against the skin.
Modern reds will last as long as any other color. Tattoo pigments have been reformulated the last 10 years, removing metals like cadmium which made a real red-red in the past.
15 Feb 2023 --- The transitional restriction of blue 15:3 and green 7 pigments used in tattoo inks and permanent makeup, under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) chemicals regulation of the European Union (EU) is now over.
While no other colour is as hard as white, a few of them can take more time. These include yellow, orange, red and fluorescent colours. Since some of these take too much time, many people opt for fading rather than complete removal. Customised tattoo fading helps them to get a coverup and hide the unwanted tattoo.
Tattoo Ink
Green is the hardest color to remove followed by light blue. Neon colors are also incredibly difficult to remove, and typically require multiple treatments with the Ruby laser. As a general rule, the greater the contrast between the color of the tattoo pigment and your skin, the better the result.
Black tattoos are some of the most difficult to cover up. This is because black ink is very dense and has a large particle size. As a result, black tattoos tend to hold their pigment better than other colors. That said, it is possible to cover up a black tattoo with another tattoo.