Further insights

Personalised, ritualistic and unique. A once in a life time experience like no other. Deepest gratitude! Cannot wait for another session with you!!

Barefoot Finishing Solutionist, South Africa

About the Products I use for the sessions:

Vegan products, with natural ingredients and essential oils, to soften, moisten and hydrate the skin to prepare it for the reception of intense stimulation, ingredients with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties to use before, during and after the session, all 100% BIODEGRADABLE.

Best Vegan Pigment on the Market!

🌱 With Love and Care 🖤

What makes a tattooing process Vegan?

Tattoo Ink is made up of a pigment, which gives its colour, suspended within a support solution. The pigment is generally derived from plants or metals, however the black ink, also called "black bone" that may, but not always, contain carbon and soot derived from charred bones of animals.

The suspension this pigment is suspended in ... well ... it keeps the ink evenly mixed and aids in ease of application. Carrier solutions generally contain purified water, ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol, glycerin and may also contain witch hazel. For vegans, what we should watch out for is glycerin. It can be from plants or animal fats, depending on the company.

In addition to glycerin and bone charring pigment transporting solutions, there are other animal parts in tattoo inks that you should pay attention to. Some inks also use gelatin, which is extracted from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as domesticated cattle, chicken, pigs, and fish, and shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac beetle.

So what is a vegan to do with ink? Well, luckily there are plenty of vegan inks on the market, some of which have the advantage of not being toxic. Vegan-friendly inks means that won’t contain glycerin carriers, which are derivatives of animal fat. In addition, crushed bones won’t be used as part of the pigment production process

Also many artists use petroleum jelly during tattooing to help their tattoo machine slide more easily. Petroleum jelly itself can be considered generally animal-free, though it's a by-product of the oil industry, which is a bit of a concern, and the petroleum jelly brand itself may contain bone charcoal depending on the country and definitely animal testing…

There are a number of alternatives that you can use to lubricate your skin during your session, but of course it will be up to each individual artist if they are comfortable using them. Some options I found were shea butter, jojoba oil, olive oil or coconut oil.

The artist will also clean the area where the tattoo will be placed. Most conventional soaps use animal glycerin so make sure the soap is being used is vegan, with vegetable glycerin instead of animal one.

A lesser-known hidden animal product in the tattoo experience is lanolin on transfer paper, which comes from sheep's wool.

So now that we've gone through the whole process, what about aftercare? Many aftercare lotions and ointments include beeswax, lanolin, such as A&D ointment or cod liver oil. There are many vegan aftercare alternatives such as shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, etc, make sure you speak with the professional artist since the product you apply after depended on the weather climate you will be after the tattoo is done.

Understanding the structure of our Skin

~Our skin has three layers~

First layer is the Epidermis, the second one is the Dermis (where the ink is placed) and the third is the Hypodermis.

What is the Dermis?

The dermis is the layer of skin that lies beneath the epidermis and above the subcutaneous layer known as is the Hypodermis. It is the thickest layer of the skin, and is made up of fibrous and elastic tissue. It provides strength and flexibility to the skin.

The dermis is made of two layers: the papillary dermis and the reticular dermis.

The papillary dermis is the more superficial of the two, and lies just beneath the epidermal junction. It is relatively thin and is made up of loose connective tissue, which includes:

*Capillaries

*Elastic fibers

*Reticular fibers

*Collagen

The reticular dermis is the deeper and thicker layer of the dermis, which lies above the subcutaneous layer of the skin. It contains dense connective tissue, which includes:

*Blood vessels

*Elastic fibers (interlaced)

*Collagen fibers (in parallel layers)

*Fibroblasts

*Mast cells

*Nerve endings

*Lymphatics

Nerve endings in the dermis are able to detect touch, temperature, pressure, and pain stimuli. The number of nerve endings in the different areas of the skin varies providing different degrees of sensitivity to different areas, with more endings in highly sensitive areas.

Sweat glands in the dermis are responsible for the production of sweat in response to certain conditions, such as heat and stress. As the sweat evaporates off the skin, it can help in cooling the body down to maintain homeostasis.

Tattoo Ink could spread through the bloodstream, to the body’s lymphatic system and liver.

The main ingredients of tattoo inks are pigments and water. A report commissioned by the Joint Research Council in 2024 found that over 100 colorants can be found within tattoo ink. Over three-quarters of the colorants found were synthetic dyes — the most common of which were azo pigments. These pigments are widely used for dyeing fabrics and to colour a variety of other things. Once absorbed into your body, they can damage your health and the environment.

The chemicals of most concern were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), of which benzopyrene is one. These types of chemicals are thought to cause cancer, and black inks are more likely to contain these ingredients.

Other impurities found in tattoo ink include potentially harmful metals such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and chromium. The damage these metals can cause to the human body is dependent on the type and level of exposure.

The power of the Dermis:

Growing hair: Hair follicles are located in the dermis. Every follicle root is attached to tiny muscles, known as arrector pili muscles, that contract when the body becomes cold or scared, causing goosebumps.

Feeling: The dermis is full of nerve endings that send signals to the brain about how things feel—whether something hurts, itches, or feels good.

Distributing blood: Blood vessels are located in the dermis, which feeds the skin, removes toxins. and supply the epidermis with blood.

Protecting the rest of the body: The dermis contains phagocytes, which are cells that consume potentially harmful toxins and impurities, including bacteria. The dermis already protects the body, but the phagocytes provide an additional layer of protection from anything harmful that has penetrated the epidermis.

Giving the skin structure so it holds its shape: The dermal layer is responsible for the turgor of the skin, acting in a similar way as does the foundation of a building.

The truth About Non Vegan Tattoo Ink Ingredients:

Tattoo inks include the pigment, which can include a variety of metallic salts (e.g., oxides, selenides, sulfides), organic dyes, or plastics, and the carriers with which they are mixed to help provide an even application, while the exact ingredient list varies from product to product, the most common animal ingredients in tattoo ink include bone char, glycerin, gelatin, and shellac:

• Bone char is used to make black ink, the most commonly used color in tattoos. This ingredient is made from the burnt animal bones to achieve the “crispest, darkest shade of black.”

• Glycerin is a derivative of animal fats. It functions in tattoo ink as a stabilizer and makes the ink easier to deal with.

• Gelatin is a common culprit in many products. It is made from the boiled connective tissue of cows and pigs and serves as a binding agent in many varieties of inks. Shellac, an ingredient made from insects, also acts as a binder in these inks.

• Shellac is an ingredient used in tattoo ink from crushed beetle shells. Shellac is a resin secreted from the female lac bug.

So is Tattoo ink Safe?

Tattoo inks may be made from titanium dioxide, lead, chromium, nickel, iron oxides, ash, carbon black, and other ingredients. Some of the pigments are industrial grade and used as automobile paint. According to an Environmental Health News report in 2024, an ingredient found in black tattoo inks-benzo(a)pyrene-has caused skin cancer in animals. It also noted that tattoo inks have migrated into the lymph nodes, which play a significant role in immune system health.

Carrier ingredients may contain dangerous substances such as antifreeze, formaldehyde, methanol, denatured alcohols, and other aldehydes. Among the most popular pigments are those made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a type of heat-resistant plastic that is used to make luggage, pipe fittings, appliance parts, and, when ground down, tattoo inks. These inks are popular because they produce vivid colors. In fact, you can usually tell if an ink contains ABS because of the color.

You may pay a price for brilliant color, however, as people can experience allergic reactions to these plastic-based pigments. However, pigments that have a metal base also can cause allergic reactions. For example, you may react to the cobalt or copper in blue, the cadmium sulfite in yellow, or the mercury in red cinnabar.

An additional danger from tattoo inks concerns the desire to have a tattoo removed. If you want to eliminate a tattoo using laser or ultraviolet light (the usual methods), the process may cause the release of toxic chemicals into your body, especially if the tattoo includes yellow #7 pigment

Did you know you can get a tattoo that glows in the dark or responds to black ultraviolet light?

These tattoo inks can be dangerous, as they can accumulate into one spot under your skin. Carriers that contain alcohol cause an increase in the skin's permeability, which means the pigment and all of its chemicals are better transported into the bloodstream. Alcohol also has been shown to enhance the activity of cancer-causing substances

What about a henna tattoo?

Is henna tattoo, often seen as an 'herb tattoo', safer? Not really. If you want to choose a henna tattoo, you should ask about the ingredients. Those that contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD) as well as other toxic chemicals found in dyes can cause delayed allergic reactions and hypopigmentation, scarring, and dying skin (skin necrosis). In addition, use of henna may cause you to be permanently unable to tolerate sulfa drugs, sunscreens that contain PABA, benzocaine, and hair dye .

What you should do:

Insist on inks that generally have been shown to be safe. Therefore, look for carriers that include glycerine, ethanol, and purified water rather than toxic chemicals.

Nontoxic choices for various different colours of pigments include the following: logwood and carbon for black; titanium dioxide for white; turmeric for yellow; monoazo (carbon-based) for green; sodium, or copper for blue; dioxazine and carbazole for purple.

Avoid red pigments made from cadmium red, iron oxide, or cinnabar and ask for naphthol.

Avoid neon or vividly coloured pigments, which are more likely to be toxic than other pigments.

Consider vegan tattoo inks. Numerous companies make pigments that are animal cruelty free.

Have you ever wondered what happens to tattoos as you age?

Our skin is an organic living canvas, this means that as we grow, our skin changes; the dermis, our middle layer of skin(where the ink pigment will go), is constantly regenerating itself and in this constant process with the years the skin thins (Thinning – the basal cell layer of the epidermis slows its rate of cell production and thins the epidermis, the dermis may become thinner), it becomes less elastic and more fragile and fatty tissue just below the skin decreases as well as the production of natural oils might make your skin drier. Wrinkles, age spots and small growths called skin tags are more common during aging process, Sagging (older skin produces less elastin and collagen, which means it is more likely to sag, stretch and drop) you also lose some of the protective fat layer and fragile blood vessels can break easily.

Together, these changes mean skin is more likely to crepe and wrinkle, additionally, factors such as diet, weight gain, weight loss, and smoking can also affect the appearance of tattoos.

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Keep in mind that:

When it comes to aging, the type of tattoo ink can make a big difference, for example, with cheaper ink often fading much quicker than higher-quality vegan alternatives.
The colour of the ink makes a big difference, too, as the lighter the ink, the faster it fades (remember this next time you’re thinking about getting one of those white ink tattoos).
Another thing to consider is the placement of your tattoo, as this can also influence the speed of fading- tattoos on areas that see a lot of activity, such as your feet and your fingers, are much more likely to fade than tattoos on your back or chest, for example.
The size and complexity of the tattoo- the smaller and more intricate the tattoo’s detailing is, the more chance it will get blurred years later., therefore avid the so called minimalistic small designs.
Some tattoo styles, such as watercolor or colorful tattoos, may be more prone to fading than black or tribal tattoos.

Do Tattoos Fade Away When You Get Older? - Why tattoos fade?

As you probably noticed, some tattoos may become blurry, dull, or wrinkled, the tattoo may begin to fade due to:

Tattoo detail - Small and detailed designs fade more than works consisting of larger elements. If you are still planning on a detailed tattoo, the artist may propose upsizing your initial design.
Aging skin (natural skin cell renewal)
Ultraviolet ray
Ink quality
Poor tattoo aftercar
Smoking and alcohol abus
Weight change - Weight change is related to aging for two reasons: firstly, changes in metabolism can affect weight and secondly, skin gets more brittle with age and may not be able to keep up. This can distort a tattoo, the stomach, upper arms, thighs and buttocks are typical regions where rapid weight change is more likely to deform a tattoo.
Friction can properly wear out tattoos that are in constant contact with the rest of the body or clothes. For example inner fingers, inner thighs (walking) and feet (wearing and taking off shoes).
Fine line tattoos are a popular tattoo style created using a single needle and has thinner and more delicate lines. This technique is often used for small tattoos or small details in larger tattoos. However, fine line tattoos are more prone to fading, blurring, and distortion over time, leaving you with a design that looks very different from the original.

What Are the Possible Options to Consider With an Old/Faded Tattoo?

Ultimately, a tattoo is a part of your skin and it can change as you change. You could find yourself getting a:

A cover up tattoo, a new tattoo that hides the old one with a new design more resonant to your present moment, leaving the old behind.

A touch-up, is a great way to refresh the beauty and brightness of your tattoo. Still, it should be done by a professional and experienced tattoo artist, as a bad touch-up can ruin your tattoo even more.

A laser removal, unwanted tattoos can be removed gradually over a series of sessions using a laser. The energy from the laser breaks down the tattoo ink into tiny fragments, which are eventually absorbed into the bloodstream and safely passed out of the body.

However, these options can be expensive, painful, and risky and may not guarantee a perfect result, the best thing to do is follow the recommendations of professionals, think carefully before getting a tattoo, making sure that you really want it and that it carries an important meaning for you regardless of the passage of time, also remember the skin aging process as an important factor to take into account before creating a design.

History of Ritualistic Tattoos

An insight to one of Humans oldest Tradition throughout the Earth

While many associate hand poke tattoos

with the Egyptians’ use of this practice, the oldest discovered tattoo dates backs to 5,200 BCE, it was discovered on Ö tzi the iceman and has been dated back to 5,200 BCE; long before the record of the Egyptians’ use of this practice, Ötzi is the name of the oldest tattooed body ever to be found. He was discovered in the Ötztal Alps in September 1991 (hence the name Ötzi). He had been marked with a method known as ‘soot tattooing’, where the skin is cut and soot is used as ink by rubbing it into the open wounds with one’s hands.

From Ancient Egypt

These tattoos were often used to affirm a community’s connection or as a religious practice, with needles made from wood, fragmented bones, or thin sharp blades. There are figurines dating from 4000-3500 BC that clearly have markings on their legs and bodies and the oldest mummies found with bodily markings, that fully confirm the process of tattooing are dated at around 2000 BC.

The origins of this Polynesian technique of tattooing

is greatly disputed between countries but goes back to at least 1722 when three Dutch ships went to Polynesia. Captain Cook on his exploration voyages to Polynesia saw the tattooed males, heard the word and brought it back to the west.Talk up your brand.Use this space to add more details about your site, a customer quote, or to talk about important news.

Tebori in Japan

Meaning “hand-sculpting”. The hammering technique is also used in this traditional process which requires a tool made of of a lime tree branch attached to a bamboo stick; the “ink” being wet charcoal.

In Chinese medicine:

Men and women tattooed dots on their joints or other acupuncture points to protect themselves from disease and evil spirits.

Thailand Sak Yan or Sak Yant

Sak Yant literally means “to tap” in Thai and Yant means “Yantra” in Sanskrit, which means instrument. The subjects of this kind of tattoo technique are sacred geometrical designs and shapes, even chants that have a magical and spiritual meaning.

The drawings are the symbols that, according to tradition, favor concentration during meditation or amulets that affect the life of the person who gets them tattooed. Thai tattoos are worthless if you don’t believe in their power.
Tradition has it that they are made only by monks who use a bamboo rod called Sak Mai, now replaced by a metal rod.

Handpoke Filipino Batok Tattoos of Kalinga

The technique used is still the traditional one of “tapping”, or tattooing by hammering the ink in the skin.

The tool is nothing more than a branch of the lime tree attached to a bamboo stick immersed in wet charcoal.

In Oceania

traditional tribal tattoos were practiced as a sacred rite; using a hammer-like tool made out of bones or fangs.

Ta Moko

Ta Moko was brought to New Zealand from Eastern Polynesia in 1769. Since then it was popularly used to represent particular tribe membership. It did however also have other meanings, for example, to signify wealth, travels, or one’s strengths.

Borneo Hand~Tapping Tattoos

It is a traditional technique typical of the Dayak (Borneo) and Mentawai (Sumatra) tribes

The Native Americans and Inuit

generally used sharp stones or porcupine quills dipped in pigment and applied using the hammer technique.

Pre~ Columbian Tattoos of Central and South America

Photo of a Tiwanaku culture mummy

Of Peru’s many prehistoric cultures, the ancient Chimú (1100-1470 A.D.) were the most heavily and elaborately tattooed of all Dressing oneself in a secondary skin of tattoos not only transformed the wearer visually; it established identity like a name and reconstructed personhood

The Maya saw body modifications as symbols of strength, representations of their religious beliefs and spirituality, and demonstrations of social status. They believed that the pain and suffering involved with body modifications helped them achieve higher status and pleased their gods Maya tattoos consisted of images of the gods they worshiped and powerful animals. The tattooist would paint the design on the individual’s skin and then make multiple cuts following that pattern. The resulting scar produced a colorful tattoo. The pain the individual went through showed strength and bravery, as they could not show pain when the tattooist worked. Both men and women received tattoos; however, men often waited until they were married. Women wore tattoos on their upper bodies, and men, on their hands, arms, legs, backs and even their faces. Maya, tattoos were ritualistic .

Ceramic seals have been found that may have been used to make an imprint on the skin before the tattoo was indelibly marked into the skin by the way of bone awls, maguey thorns, or other items.