Blue ink is extremely common in tattooing - but is it safe? And can an all-blue tattoo really stand the test of time like black ink?
Though blue has been used in tattooing for decades, there has recently been controversy about whether it should be considered safe for use in tattooing.
In this article, we’ll break down:
Is Blue Ink Toxic?
Blue ink contains azo pigments, which can cause cancer when they’re broken down (either by bacteria or laser removal).
However, in its original state, the blue ink itself isn’t considered too dangerous to get tattooed, which is why artists are trying to fight the ink bans currently happening in Europe.
The tattoo ink ban is meant to get rid of the potentially dangerous pigment used to make blue, but it’s also in lots of other ink colors including purples, browns, greens, and most colors other than red and black.What is in Blue Ink?
Tattoo ink is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and there isn’t a lot of data out there about the related long-term effects.
Some blue pigments, like cobalt and ultramarine, are not considered as safe as pigments made with copper salts. Because of this, many countries are banning those ingredients.
European Commission Tattoo Ink Ban
In December 2020, the European Union banned the use of many of the chemicals used to make tattoo inks. Two of those colors were Blue 15:3 and Green 7.
Though the European Union has banned the use of these inks due to their potentially harmful nature and concerns about cancer, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment studied the banned pigments and found that their toxicity levels were very low.
These conflicting ideas have caused controversy in the tattooing community.Does Blue Tattoo Ink Last?
Blue tattoo ink has also been under fire because many artists have used it for line work, while other tattooers say it won’t hold up over time.
While a dark blue - like navy - will last as line work for a while, black ink is going to last the longest. This is because black ink creates the most contrast against the skin.Note:
It is true that dark blue is one of the easiest colours to remove with tattoo laser removal, along with black. Colors like orange, yellow, and some light blues are the hardest to remove
Blue Ink Tattoo Designs
Though there is currently controversy about blue tattoo ink, it’s still available and legal to use. Studies have found that blue pigments have low toxicity and that they can stand the test of time.
Tattoos using only shades of blue are gaining popularity. Here are some design ideas for all blue tattoos:Sky and Sea
Flowers
Light Blue Tattoos
Prepare for a Tattooing Career with the Artist Accelerator Program
Learning about your tattoo ink is an important step in your journey, but it can also be pretty eye-opening to how difficult tattooing can be. Without the right knowledge, it’s impossible to level up your skills and become a professional tattoo artist.
However, finding the straight-forward information you need to progress is difficult. And with so much out there online, it’s hard to avoid picking up bad habits from incorrect and outdated resources.
This is one of the biggest struggles new tattooers face, and too many talented artists have given up their goal of getting into tattooing because of the years it would take to unlearn their bad habits.
That’s why aspiring artists are learning to tattoo with the Artist Accelerator Program’s structured course. As a student, you learn every step of the tattooing process from professional artists with the experience and advice you need to build your skills and create incredible tattoos.
With the Artist Accelerator, you can stop wasting time searching through incorrect information. You just get the clear, easy-to-understand lessons you need to start improving fast… along with support and personalized feedback from professional artists in our online Mastermind group.
Over 2500 students have already gone through the course, with many of them opening up their own studios. If you want to join them and learn the skills you need to start tattooing full time faster…
Click here to learn more about the Artist Accelerator Program.
