Tattoo Ink and Artists

Tattoo Ink Ingredients

The FDA regulates cosmetic ink and color additives, placing tattoo inks under their jurisdiction as well. Unfortunately, the FDA has never approved a tattoo pigment for injection. Moreover, each ink color contains ingredients that may react differently to light energy devices.

Patni, Disha & Anap, Deepak & Mamania, Jinal & Kachewar, Sushil. (2017). A Scientific Tale of a Tattoo with a Twist 1. International Journal of Education and Research in Health Sciences. 3. 236-239. 10.5005/jp-journals-10056-0079.

Based on the diagram, you can see how the various elements may require different light energy to effect them. During laser tattoo removal, one of the most difficult colors to treat is white. The titanium dioxide will turn gray after a few treatments. What was once nearly invisible, now needs removal.

In addition to ingredients, macrophages play an important role in what makes a tattoo permanent. Once they encapsulate the ink, it tends to stay where it is placed. However, since macrophages are constantly being remade, ink can spread over time. This results in crisp lines becoming more dull. Often a single laser treatment can clear up cloudiness in a tattoo.

Baranska A, Shawket A, Jouve M, Baratin M, Malosse C, Voluzan O, Vu Manh TP, Fiore F, Bajénoff M, Benaroch P, Dalod M, Malissen M, Henri S, Malissen B. Unveiling skin macrophage dynamics explains both tattoo persistence and strenuous removal. J Exp Med. 2018 Apr 2;215(4):1115-1133. doi: 10.1084/jem.20171608. Epub 2018 Mar 6. PMID: 29511065; PMCID: PMC5881467.

Choosing aTattoo Artist

Choosing a tattoo artist is a highly personal decision. Looking at their portfolio of work ahead of time helps you get to know the artist’s style. It is best to choose someone who’s style matches your desired tattoo. Asking them to do work outside of that style places you both at risk for disappointment (and tattoo regret).

Professional tattoo artists have spent time working with a mentor, apprenticing in both technique, and developing their design style. They take great pride in their work and it’s important to listen to suggestions while having a very good idea of what you want prior to your work being done. Things like size, placement, and filler are things to speak with your tattoo artist about in detail.

Cover Up Tattoos

Expanding Your Options

Before you schedule a cover up tattoo, visit our experts at Vanish, Inc. We work with 28 different local tattoo shops in Central Pennsylvania. If you want a new tattoo (rather than no tattoo) we can lighten the existing one for limitless cover up options. We have never had a client regret lightening prior to a new tattoo. The number of treatments needed is entirely based upon how dark your current tattoo is. This varies greatly from one person to the next, so it’s best to schedule a free consultation and find out what our laser tattoo removal professionals suggest.

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about cover up tattoos.

Can you cover black ink with color?

Typically, older tattoos are done with poor quality ink. This is usually a good thing because it makes it a lot easier to cover up. The ink we use is top of the line. I can pretty much guarantee that my black ink will be darker than an older tattoo being covered up. Old inks will typically be faded tremendously, so black might actually be more of a grey or red a pink and so on. Then we are able to cover up faded ink with our colors.

How do you go about planning a cover up tattoo?

Covering up a tattoo is not exactly just placing a new tattoo on top of a previous one. We are essentially camouflaging the old one with a new tattoo. The shape is a very important factor with a cover up. It’s easier to cover up a round shape with a round shape and so on. The placement on the body is also important, The flow of a tattoo helps to cover up the old one. I then like to get an idea of what the client is into and start coming up with the design based on that.

Are cover up tattoos always larger than the original?

Typically yes. Sometimes we can do a “rework” which is just taking the original tattoo and redoing the entire thing thus retaining the original size. 98% of cover ups will be slightly larger than the previous.

Justin Craven
Owner, Acacia Tattoo

What do clients often ask you about cover up tattoos?

What can we cover it with. Depending on what they want covered, there could be a number of different designs to use. Some are fairly easy and others are difficult and very time consuming.

What is the most challenging thing about cover up tattoos?

The most challenging thing is when the tattoo is dark. You need to make sure you have heavy enough line work and are able to place dark enough shading and/or color to the area. So covering, as well making the tattoo look amazing. You shouldn’t know the new tattoo is a cover up.

Dean Jones
Owner, Shak’N Ink

Vanish Skin and Laser, Inc. provides laser tattoo removal, facials, laser facials, lip fillers, laser hair removal, hair restoration, laser resurfacing, wrinkle injections, PDO threads, lash and brow treatments, and plasma fibroblast treatments to areas including; Williamsport, Lewisburg, State College, Bloomsburg, Corning, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Danville, Selinsgrove, Elmira, Hazelton, and Bellefonte.

Our safe, customized, effective treatments use industry approved, state-of-the-art technologies. Meet the laser and skincare professionals at Vanish, Inc. in Williamsport and State College, PA. Serving clients in Central Pennsylvania since 2017