

This can happen when you are inked with expired tattoo ink! Modern Tattoo Ink

You should always be inked with high-quality ink, as the pigments are less likely to fade quickly, and you won’t experience an infection. Although they won’t turn green, loss of definition and fading are common problems. However, other bright colors can fade too. Usually, only black ink is prone to turning green with age, as the pigments are absorbed by your body. The solid pigments can be plastic, metal, or any other solid and colorful component that won’t degrade over time. Tattoo ink is made of a solid color pigment and a liquid – usually an alcohol or water. How fast they fade depends on the placement and long-term tattoo care, as well as the quality and components of the ink. The specific pigments used depends on the brand and shade of black. To create different shades of black (yes, black isn’t just one color) numerous pigments are blended. Tattoo ink is comprised of different pigments.

To expand on our short answer, tattoos don’t turn green – they already contained green to begin with. To learn more about how ink changes over time and what you can do to keep your tattoo looking fresh, keep reading our guide below.Īlso Read: Tattoo Chemistry: What is Tattoo Ink Made From? Tattoos Turn Green: The Long Answer Credit: Instagram Furthermore, many modern tattoo inks are designed to not fade or turn green like this at all. It takes decades of time for old ink to turn green. That’s why very old tattoos turn green!īy old, we mean really old. So, as some of your black ink starts to fade away, fewer pigments show through. Green and blue pigments are some of the last to be absorbed. Black ink is made up of a variety of pigments which are removed by your body at different speeds. The ink of your tattoo doesn’t change over time, but it is slightly absorbed and expelled by your body. Why Do Tattoos Turn Green: The Short Answer Credit: Instagram Of course, if you’re worried about ink colors fading and changing over time, consider a temporary tattoo instead.
Black ink tattoos how to#
We also have some tips on how to keep your tattoo ink looking fresh and new for as long as possible. This quick guide will explain why ink may turn green, which inks turn green, and whether your modern tattoo will fall victim to the greenness in the decades to come! Thick black strokes or delicate thin lines – whichever you choose, are you prepared for your tattoo to turn green over time? It’s a common problem with very old tattoos and definitely one you should know about before you get inked.
