EoL

Hello you hardos,

Just another run of the mill Crazy Millenial Who Has No Business Getting Tattoos here. I have always been apprehensive about ink quality and how toxic it can be so before I got my rather large, mostly black tattoo, I did a lot of research brands and tried to figure out which seemed safest. You won't believe how many inks are recalled...Anyway I finally landed on a brand of ink called Solid Ink which seemed to have a pretty good track record and was CTL tested and certified for usage in the EU. I then found an artist who used that brand and got my tattoo. Whoo. That was November. 

Well fast forward to last week and I "stumbled" across a recall for Solid Ink Matte Black (the color that was used most on my rather large tattoo) for extremely high levels of PAHs and benzo(a)pyrene. See here: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumers_safety/safety_products/rapex/alerts/?event=viewProduct&reference=A12/00101/20&lng=en

Well now I'm freaking the F*** out because these levels are higher than most shitty brands. Only one batch is specified and I tried to get ahold of my artist to see if he had that batch but got no response. He's probably tired of over anxious millenials who shouldn't be getting tattoos. Even if that batch wasn't used, what does it say about the companies practice? I'm starting to think these certifications are pointless because any manufacturer could make a special batch just for the test. I really think we need FDA over site with random testing in the US but I digress...

Anyway, I was hoping people would share their thoughts and maybe their ink brand preference if they have one.

Thanks! It's interesting how some artists suggest keeping showers minimal or not using direct spray at all and other suggest blasting the new tattoo with hot water for 5-10 mins. I've even heard of taking a hot bath immediately after. I believe it's a traditional Japanese method?

1 minute ago, Dan said:

I have tried them all over the years and I think Aveeno is the best product out there.

I like Aveeno too but I never bothered to look at the ingredients and it has alcohol in it. I didn't know some lotions had alcohol.

2 hours ago, oboogie said:

Walmart. Walgreens.

Thanks. I'll look there next time.

15 minutes ago, oboogie said:

Me, too. Dial Gold liquid soap. Every tattoo artist I've used has told me to use it. So I do.

Where do you find it? I could only find Dial Complete Gold which I didn't know was different and has some alcohol in it. Probably not a huge deal but I rather avoid any alcohol if I can.

23 hours ago, scottyg said:

I use Dial Gold too, and would recommend it. But I'm not seeing it contains alcohol?

Do you use the bar soap or liquid hand soap? I also realized I was using Dial Complete Gold which is apparently different than Dial Gold and contains alcohol but it's low on the list. Hopefully not a huge deal. I didn't experience any pain using it.

On 11/26/2019 at 4:32 PM, piccalilli said:

It really feels like I should know this as most of my sessions so far (I would guess at least a dozen) are two back to back days but I never came up with a good solution. Sometimes I would just be wrapped up with clingwrap, sometimes with gauze dressings and tape.

My biggest concerns were always:

a) absorbing the shit that oozes out without dripping everywhere and staining your clothes.

b) keeping it clear from contamination.

Once or twice I did wash it in the evening as it was getting messy and it burned, then applied fresh gauze pads. Carrying with you some unscented Dove soap and extra bandages may not be a bad idea.

Do you use antibacterial soap? I've been using Dial Gold but I don't know of the alcohol in it is an issue.

Just curious if anyone has had back to back tattoo sessions and what the aftercare looks like between them. Do you bother to put ointment on knowing you'll be back the next day? Will having ointment on the skin negatively affect the next session? I know the artist will clean the area anyway so I'm wondering if it's just a waste of ointment.

I'm very white as well and looking at the spots done with white, I can't tell any difference from it and my skin tone. Looking back, I wish at the very least I asked my artist to work with negative space. I think it would have rendered the same result lol.

22 minutes ago, Ted85 said:

It looks same to me. I healed very bad, rejecting alot of it, so went over it a couple times (now wish I had no white, but can’t take it back)  but still lots of ink. Looks Beige now, but still the same and it’s four years old. And yeah, laser would be all that once. Would rather have it be slow released to be honest. I’m sure we will be okay from it, smoking is worse and lots of people have white In them and now in their 80’s. I’m just concerned about the feeling I get with the pins and needles and it does get raised periodically. Makes me obsess over it. 

I'm just asking for pure curiosity sake now, when you say it healed bad, do you mean heavy scabbing? What made you decide to refill it with white? Do it not look good against your natural skin tone?

Either way, my guess is that eventually it will all fall out again or get processed by your body and the side effects you are having will subside.

21 minutes ago, Ted85 said:

It is only white no colors at all, just white ink. And It’s odd cause I don’t have issues to my color ink, and I am full of it. I am sure some has titanium but could just be large amount That’s  causing issues. Not sure. Thanks for your advice and I am sure that the titanium won’t hurt us. It will only be released in small increments over time. 😊 but yeah for future going to stick with black so no reactions. 

That's interesting. I'm curious what it looks like. Have you noticed any loss of white or change in appearance? There is titanium dioxide is more than we realize. Sunscreen, makeup, etc. Granted it's not under the skin but could get absorbed nonetheless.

You could go the laser route but I think that would end up actually causing your body to absorb the titanium dioxide quicker.

2 hours ago, Ted85 said:

I have asked before about white tattoo ink, but want to ask again because recently it’s been really affecting me.  I have been having tingling in both my white tattoos on my body. 5 by 7 for one (lots of ink) and 3 by 3 other. The tingling comes and goes but last around 10 hours. It has been happening day after day.  It is worrying me. I do think my body rejects the white ink. When I got it done it didn’t want it and so went over it again, but it scared bad. I regret It now, because it’s not pretty and this tingling all of a sudden started after 3 years of getting the tattoo. So very odd. Maybe it’s the large amount of white? 
 

Anyone can help, that would be greAt. I know where is titanium dioxide so maybe having an allergic reaction to it?????? The tingling is just so odd. Thank you!! 

Do you have any color in your tattoo? A lot of times colors are mixed with white pigment (titanium dioxide) to make them brighter. If that's the case, I might not be the titanium dioxide that is the issue. If you only have black and white, I guess it's possible you're having a reaction. Either way, going to a dermatologist and explaining your symptoms couldn't hurt.

I too have white in my tattoo and I'm regretting it. I'm actually regretting getting color at all for all the complications it introduces with pigment. If I do get any tattoos in the future, I'm sticking to black only.

2 minutes ago, bongsau said:

#sarcasm ... you're not going to get cancer from machine

It was so specific to rotary pen I thought it was actually a thing lol

5 minutes ago, ptcruzar said:

Doctor said anytime you have an open wound, you can get an infection.  People can get cellulitis from bug bites.  So the tattoo is basically an open wound and it got infected.  He also said that tattoos on extremities can get more inflamed than on the torso. And that I was dealing with inflammation plus cellulitis. Can't say for sure what caused it (me or the shop). Artist said she followed the same set up as other tattoos and that my tattoo was the first time she's had an issue.  I did follow the artist's aftercare which was different from my other tats.  In that I didn't leave the first bandage on overnight, and used lotion rather than A&D or Aquaphor. The lotion really stung (I used a new bottle of Cetaphil). I'm thinking I just had really bad luck. Or that it was overworked causing the inflammation that set me up for an infection...

Thanks for sharing. I hope it heals okay in the end.

21 minutes ago, oboogie said:

Because you are obsessing about it. That's not healthy.

This is true.

5 minutes ago, ptcruzar said:

I think my healing and edema is due to the cellulitis infection.  Not the ink.  As I have 3 other tattoos and no issues even with red ink.  

Today it's not oozing plasma so I just washed it and am letting it air out without a bandage.  It still looks like it did on day five without oozing plasma.  Very raised and full, puffy lines.  Today is day 4 of antibiotics, I have a 7 day course.  If it doesn't go down more I plan to revisit the doctor in case the infection isn't responding to the meds. 

The artist did say that the lines are "heavily worked."  And that I'll probably not scar but will probably need a touch up.  Which I'm not so sure about at this point considering this reaction I'm having. 

Did the doctor mention what he thinks caused the infection?

19 minutes ago, oboogie said:

You are basing this on what?

My thought was that if the brand of ink is known, it couldn't hurt to find out more information. Sometimes inks get recalled for contamination. That might not be the case and it might not be ink related at all.

18 years old and going green...was India ink used by any chance? Knowing the composition of the ink might help the technicians.

Do you know what brand ink was used? It might be worth reaching out to the manufacturer.

3 minutes ago, ptcruzar said:

I understand how you’re feeling, dealing with regret myself though it’s due to my tat being infected and will probably not heal well.  I’m mad I did this to myself. plus mine is on my forearm so it’s very visible and looks so nasty. 
 

however, we can’t go back in time and change things.  So try not to think about the chemicals, everything is made of chemicals anyway doesn’t mean it’s bad.  
 

and if you’re self conscience, just wear a shirt and forget about the tat. 

I appriciate the advice and I'm really sorry about the way yours is healing. I hope in the end it heals normally in the end.

12 minutes ago, oboogie said:

This. Also, don't get any more tattoos.

Just forget about it and get on with your life. You'll be fine.

Don't get anymore tattoos because they're bad or because I'm a wuss? Lol

27 minutes ago, tcgjake said:

Congrats on the new tattoo. Give yourself a few months to adjust to it, it's pretty common, especially with your first large tattoo. Can you post a pic so we can see what you're working with?

Perhaps I can PM. I'm not even sure I want it up for the world to see yet.

23 minutes ago, SStu said:

Welcome. 

There are MANY previous threads on your question. 

Meantime, post a picture!

I read them all lol. I can possibly PM a picture but I'm so unsure about the tattoo. My biggest concern on top the work itself is how worried I am about the chemicals in the pigments, especially titanium dioxide given my piece has a lot of color and white. Something I never even considered before hand ironically. I feel like I should have went with grey wash if I got anything and I never wanted color originally but after seeing the sketch it seemed to make sense at the time. I suppose it doesn't help this is my second tattoo and it was 9 hours on the ribs.

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to forum and have seen pretty great discussions so far. Having just had my first significant piece done, I'm hoping to get some advice about feelings of regret and uncertainty.

Thanks!

On 10/8/2019 at 1:36 PM, bongsau said:

i have large blocks of white on my sleeve and backpiece and highlights all over. the arm is 12 years old, the back is 5. there is also white mixed in with other coloured ink throughout. so i have it all over. i have never had a reaction to it, it was all packed in properly by good tattooers, no reactions and it definately has lasted.

i would be more worried about a family history of cancer, toxins in the environment and our food supply than i am about getting cancer from tattooing. actually i would be more worried about getting cancer from a rotary-pen tattoo machine...but i digress

Could you elaborate on rotary pen tattoo machines and cancer?