When getting a tattoo, you have to consider a lot of things before sitting on the tattoo artist’s chair to get the job done. First, you have to make sure that the needles are sterilized and that the tattoo shop is clean to prevent you from acquiring any disease or infection. Next, you have to confirm the qualifications of the tattoo artist who will tattoo you. Lastly, you have to make sure that the artist will use only the best tattoo ink. Of all three must-do’s, this may be the most difficult to check because you have to be knowledgeable about the best tattoo ink products. If you are a newbie who just wants to get a small tattoo, this may be difficult for you.

To help you determine if the tattoo artist you plan to work with is using the best tattoo ink, read on to know the few things you should ask your tattoo artist about. Not only will these pointers help you choose the best tattoo ink, these pointers will also ensure your safety and satisfaction when getting your tattoo.

Compounds to Avoid

Always remember that the best tattoo ink is a tattoo formula that is free of metal bases and other harmful compounds. Some tattoo ink companies tend to add metal bases like nickel, lead, selenium, and cobalt to make the tattoo colors look brighter. These metals should only be present in nearly-negligible amounts in the body. Using tattoo inks with these compounds may cause adverse health effects to you. Most conservative tattoo artists opt to use natural dye inks as the best tattoo ink in terms of the client’s safety and the appearance of the tattoo after application.

No “Red” for Sensitive Skin

Most tattoo inks are hypoallergenic so it would not be a problem to get one even if you have sensitive skin. However, tattoo inks with reddish colors are known to cause allergic reactions because of the dye where the color was derived. To avoid this, choose a tattoo design that uses colors other than red. The best tattoo inks for people who have sensitive skin are black, violet, grey, green, and blue.

Required retouch Period

The last thing you should ask your tattoo artist about the tattoo ink he/she would use on you is the required retouch period. If you want to keep your tattoo in its pristine condition, you are required to do touchups every few years or so. The best tattoo ink will stay looking good on your skin for at least 2-3 years. The best tattoo ink formulas are usually deep and concentrated. When used on a tattoo design, you will notice that the artist finds it easy to spread the ink over the design.

The tattoo design is not the only thing that you should concern yourself with when getting a tattoo. You should be mindful of the tattoo ink too. Remember that an excellent looking design will not look gorgeous at all if the tattoo ink used was not top-caliber.