Tattoo FAQ

Until the 1970s, various tattoo artists were still working with colors that contained heavy metal compounds and were therefore unhealthy.

Red, for example, consisted partly of mercury sulphide or cinnabar. Chromium dioxide was sometimes used for green. Although these colors were very lightfast and durable, they could have negative physical consequences.

Nowadays, the bright colors are mostly made of high-quality synthetic pigments, which are very brilliant on the skin and non-toxic.

Exceptions are black and white; the black pigments consist of pure carbon, which is harmless because carbon also occurs in our own bodies and the human body also consists of carbon compounds.

White consists of titanium dioxide, which is also harmless. Alcohol and glycerine can be used as pigment carriers, but water-based paints are becoming increasingly popular.