• Question: Why is tattoo ink non-toxic?

    Asked by to Daren, Lynne, Phillip, Simon on 22 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Daren Fearon

      Daren Fearon answered on 22 Jun 2014:

      People have been getting tattoos for thousands of years. It is likely that non-toxic inks were identified largely by trial and error but the inks used now are pretty similar to that you’d get in a printer. These days, inks used in tattoos are regulated by government bodies such as the FDA and they are researching the long term effects that tattoos can have. Interest in this has increased as people have started using UV-visible and glow-in-the-dark inks.

      There are other risks to tattoos such as infections caused by dirty needles and allergic responses to the ink.

    • Photo: Phillip Manning

      Phillip Manning answered on 25 Jun 2014:

      Most tattoo inks gain their colour from specific elements that bestow distinct colours. If incorrectly applied, especially with non-sterile needles, there is a real risk of infection. It is curious/worrying that the inks used are only regulated in some countries….and not in all!

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