tattoo ink and potential allergies?

Question

is there anyone who knows about ink allergies and tattoos? I can't wear earrings in my ears and have never been able to because I'm allergic to the metal in the earrings and my ears always get infected. I am getting a black/grey tattoo in several weeks and I am trying to find out more information regarding allergies and such. I am doing my own research as well...no, not just depending on this. :) But i wanted to find out if there was anyone who has had that sort of circumstance before...

Answer 1

a lot of tattoo inks use very small amounts of minerals, metals, organic substances and chemicals in the manufacturing of the tattoo ink, which create the desired pigment of each ink color. some metals used could include antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cobalt, lead, lead compounds, nickel and selenium, collectively referred to as toxic metals.



i've known of many people whos bodies reject or react to metal jewelry, but have gotten and healed a tattoo just fine. you may be surprised to find out that the most common allergic reactions from tattoo inks occur from using organic inks. actually if you really think about it, it's not much of a surprise, but often over looked. i have never personally tattooed using organic inks, but some artists at a shop i used to work at bought a set and while most tattoo ink bottles come with warnings, organic inks such as "eternal ink" have each and every bottle labeled with a large warning. someone allergic to such inks might have their tattoo "bubble over" and turn white, scar and fade in some places, but if taken care of well, can still be saved in the healing process and gone back over later with other inks. your best bet is to ask your artist what kinda of inks he is using. i noticed you said you are getting a black and grey tattoo, so as far as your allergies to metals, you should be fine, but if you wanted to take that extra step now that you know about organic inks, keep in mind that every artist does black and grey tattoos diferently. some artists use the obvious black ink, then tones of grey wash, while others use black ink, less amount of grey wash and then actual grey coloured ink, which could potentially be organic. but that's just eztra info for you, if all you're allergic to is certain metals. you should do fine i think, and i hope all goes well!

Answer 2

ive only heard of ONE case where a metal allergy prevented someone from getting a tattoo. This person was a heart transplant patient whose body actually went into shock if they had any metal break the skin barrier, no piercings and even had to use special needles for shots. a very RARE case. If you have an allergy to piercings its more than likely you had a nickel reaction (common problem) or that your gold earrings got some bacteria on them from where they were tarnishing and it got in your holes.



Most tattooing inks contain minute metal amounts simply because the natural pigments are made from metal compounds. The chances of a reaction are zillions to one because of the percentile amount. You would have to be severly allergic and by now you have probably been in contact with these metals before. For example food colourings, clothes dyes, even multivitamin supplements have metals in them.



To the above person, you are probably allergic to a specific red ink. Different artists use different inks, i have had different red inks tested on me before and though all three held in my skin on another person with the same inks done just after mine the colour was pushed out of their skin and reacted. Its usually caused by a chemical imbalence when the ink is mixed that makes certain people sensitive. If the artist is mixing their own ink this is more likely to happen than if they are buying it from a commercial company that has tested their inks extensively.

Answer 3

I dont know about ink allergies but I too can't wear earrings (unless they are 24 karrat gold) or my ears get infected. I got my tongue pierced and it got infected also and could only be cleared up with antibiotics.



I have 2 tattoos and had no reactions to those. There is no metal in tattoo ink so there is no reason to be worrked. Just because the ink is black/gray, doesnt mean it has metal in it. You will be fine.

Answer 4

The most popular and most common ink allergy is RED INK....There are people that they're bodies reject red ink....

Im sure if you research your tattoo artist well and he/she is a reputable,sanitary artist and shop you shouldnt have a problem, and if your worried about a ink reaction with color especially red, you can have a tet spot done..

but generally speaking people dont get allergic reactions to black and grey..

Good luck

Answer 5

I've never heard of anyone being allergic to tattoo ink but Here is a site for you to check out on your own. They are very informative and can help you answer any questions you may have about it. You can also talk with your tattooist about it.



Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 6

I, sadly, am allergic to red ink........it sucks, since my favorite color is red, and every time I get red in a tattoo, the color ends up looking funky.



http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/Brooke7800/General/?action=view¤t=babydoll.jpg



That is the tattoo on my arm 2 hours after I got it, the next day, it was swollen and full of pus. It ended up healing cracked, but I never wanted to get it fixed, because it makes the dress look cracked and old, and it turned out to be a benefit to the piece (even though it was painful)



This happens in a small handful of people, though, so I would not be too concerned...

Answer 7

my family owns a tattoo shop, we havent encountered any problem with allergies from tattoo ink. but you can always ask your tattoo artist. so you feel better about it. a lot of people cant deal with metal in their ears, but tattoos are totally different. like me, i have 6 tattoos, but i have trouble wearing metal earrings! :) good luck with the tat. and take good care of it.

Answer 8

Greys Ellergy