Many people want to get a tattoo ‘just like’ one that a friend has. Sometimes the results are less than expected, and while this often the result of a combination of factors, the tattoo ink could well be one consideration. Many inks contain a variety of organic ingredients such as clays, coals, or even iron or plant-based products. Just as one person can eat a particular food while another suffers an allergic reaction, people sometimes have reactions to tattoo ink, particularly recently created colors.
Another consideration is the skin tone on which the tattoo is applied. Slightly tanned skin actually displays more colors as white will show up, where it will not on pale skin. Very dark skin requires the use of more intense colors like red and black; white will be partially darkened and display as a paler shade of the natural skin color.
How a tattoo is applied has a lot to do with how vivid the colors are and how long it lasts. An experienced tattoo artist will use the proper selection of inks and needle shapes and place the ink properly just beneath the first layer of skin. Your tattoo artist should be willing to talk to you about your design preferences and show you pictures of similar tattoos on similar skin tones. This way you will have a good idea of the end result and can see if it is likely to match what you want.
Your tattoo artist should also be able to tell you how mixing colors may achieve the result you desire. For example, someone with coffee-colored skin may get an intense red by mixing a tiny bit of black with it so that the red shows up through the skin. It may be possible to create a temporary tattoo to ‘try on’ prior to inking your permanent one. This is an excellent idea if you would like to see how the colors look or how most of your clothing hides the tattoo if that is a consideration for your employer.
Tattoo inks are a very personal choice, but a good tattoo artist can help guide you to the perfect selection.