3 Myths about Tattoo Ink (Really Tattoos Dyes)

1. Myth#1 Tattoos use Ink

   Nope! Tattoos use dyes, ink is a mouth worm. With INK, the pigment sits on the surface of the substrate; with dyes, the pigment sinks into the substrate. Since your skin is the substrate in tattooing, your skin is being dyed--the stencil or marker drawing on the surface is INK, but NOt the actual tattoo. Of course, getting inked sounds way better than get dyed.

2. Myth #2 Tattoo ink is Regulated by the FDA

   There are NO FDA regulations for tattoo ink. The FDA considers the inks used in intradermal tattoos, including permanent makeup, to be cosmetics. The actual practice of implanting inks/dyes is regulated by local jurisdictions. In Oregon, the only requirement for Ink is that it is purchased from a "commercial manufacturer":
   (6) Inks, dyes, or pigments must be purchased from a commercial supplier or manufacturer. Products banned or restricted by the Food and Drug Administration must not be used.
   OHLA Link to Tattoo Ink Rule
   

3. Myth #3 Laser Tattoo Removal Always Works

   Despite advances in laser technology, removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments and considerable expense. But even laser removals fails sometimes. Some colors such as RED, BLUE, and GREEN cannot be fully removed. BLACK IS USUALLY THE EASIEST PIGMENT TO REMOVE WITH LASERS. If the artist went too deep or the tattoo got infected, removal without scarring may be impossible.

To find out more about Tattoo Safety visit FDA.Gov

3 Terrifying Facts about Tattooing

1. Your Tattoo Artist might be a Criminal. I worked at shop where the lead artist was a convicted sex-offender and convicted felon. He committed 1st degree felony assault (practically murder, the worst assault charge you can get). He was constantly high or in trouble with the law. Worst of all, he had his creepy hands all over young female clients. CHECK OUT YOUR ARTIST. I left the shop as soon as I discovered the facts about him


2. You risk Infection.You can contract Staph, Hep. C (or A or B), HIV, and other blood-borne pathogens from a DIRTY, UNTRAINED ARTIST. Tattooing involves exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Both you and your artist are at risk. If your artist does not follow infection control standards, you can get sick. Usually you're artist will know enough not to infect you with Hep. or AIDS. STAPH is your biggest risk. A Staph infection will scar you and can kill you if left untreated.


3. You can get a Bad Tattoo. I've seen some terrible tattoos. Shaky unconnected line, muddy vomit coloring, and moderate scarring from untrained, inexperienced artists. Most can be removed or covered, but in some cases you're left with a scar.

Not all tattoo studios or artist are equal. THINK BEFORE YOU INK. Check out your artist and Studio. Tattooing is sacred. Putting your time to do a little research will get you a better tattoo.

Bathroom Test: Simple Steps to Check a Shop

Oregon demands high standards for cleaniness and sterility. For the most part, any state licensed facility will be up to standards. But NOT all of them are. Did you know that facilities inspectors don't even inspect a facility BEFORE granting a license? The state just takes your application and money, assuming that your place of business is up to snuff.

It's probable that you could step into a licensed tattoo shop in oregon that is NOT up to OHLA Tattoo Facility Standards.

Since most customers aren't aware of all of the safety standards. Here's a simple test for tattoo shop cleaniness. First take a look at the state of the tattoo shop and the artist. If it's cluttered or dirty and the artist looks like a prison thug, go somewhere else. If the shop and artist are clean, check the bathroom. Usually, if the bathroom is spotless, the shop is safe. But not always. Even so,a shiny bathroom in a clean shop usually indicates a well run shop.

You also want to make sure that your artist has GOOD LIGHTING. Stay away from dimly lit shops. Make sure that your artist has light on you. He or she can't give good lines and make solid fills without proper light.

Are Your Tattoos Ruining the Planet?

Did you know that most plastic DOES NOT degrade? And even plastics that do such as LEXAN take a good long while to blend back into the earth. What does that have to do with your tattoo? A lot. Some shops use disposable tubes, which are thrown away after only ONE USE. Shops couldn't use them again if they tried BECAUSE Oregon only allows SINGLE USE of disposables tubes. These wasteful tubes stack-up fast. Think about it. Most tattoos require at least TWO TUBES: one for lining , the other for shading. That's piles of tubes at the end of the day.

So what's the solution? Unfortunately, in Oregon, some of the plastic waste is inevitable. The Oregon Health Licensing Agency for the most part, requires tattoo artists to dispose of anything that touches the skin during the tattoo procedure. This is, of course is for public safety: to prevent the spread of disease through cross contamination. BUT Oregon ALSO ALLOWS the use of REUSABLE, STAINLESS STEEL TUBES!!! These tubes can be used over and over again BECAUSE they can be STERILIZED with an AUTOCLAVE.

Ask your tattoo artist whether he uses disposable tubes or not. If he uses disposables, DISPOSE of HIM or HER.



Reusable tubes are SAFE and SANITARY. They are sterilized the same way dentists sterilize their mouth mirrors and periodontal probes. Oregon also requires that the tubes be sterilized with Indicator Tape, this tape changes color when the critical temperature has been reached for a prolonged period. The color changing tape ensures that all pathogens, spores, and anything else on or in the tubes has been completely destroyed.