Hi INKEDblog,
Can you tell me if there are currently any distributors of non-toxic tattoo ink in the United States (i.e. no detectable levels of lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, etc.)?
The EU has great guidelines regarding the necessary exclusion of carcinogens, mutogens, etc. but so far, I have had no luck finding a comparable ink in the United States.
Any information greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Dear Reader,
It can be difficult to find ink proven to be 100% safe, because as you mention there are very few regulations on tattoo ink in the US. That said, if you have sensitivities or other allergies, you can not be too careful.
Vegan websites are some of the best resources for finding out what is in tattoo ink in a manner that is not overly alarmist (as opposed to some sites that will leave you believing you are taking your life in your hands checking out some tat flash on the wall).
One recommended site to obtain ink is Pulse International. They will only sell in to professional artists, but your artist can get it for you.
Since most products are available to order online, another option is to order directly from another source in the EU.
Lastly, ask your artist! Many artists have definite preferences as to which sort of ink they use and a good artist will know what is in the ink.
Best of luck!
INKEDblog
