Tattoo is a lifetime commitment; therefore, it is imperative that the activities in the industry involve safe and high-quality inks. Tattoo ink is highly regulated in Australia as a means of protecting public health.
This blog provides an in-depth look at the various forms of ink available, offers an overview of the primary safety guidelines in place, explains how tattoo studios can ensure compliance, and outlines what all clients should know before getting a tattoo. These can be regarded as contributing factors in safeguarding both you and the satisfaction of your tattoo.
Learn about Popular Types of Tattoo Inks Available in Australia
There are two general classifications of tattoo inks: organic and inorganic.
- Organic inks are carbon-based and natural, like either plants or animals. Although they are usually regarded as safer, they could also have additives.
- Popular colors are carbon-based black and iron oxide brown.
- Inorganic inks, on the other hand, incorporate heavy metals to create intense colors; red inks, for example, are composed of mercury sulfide, while reds with cobalt or chromium are also used. In terms of color, blue and green are also achieved through the use of heavy metals.
- The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has imposed strict regulations on most heavy metals in tattoo colorings to ensure the safety of the people.
Check out Some Effective Tattoo Ink Regulations
Tattoo inks in Australia are classified as an industrial chemical and therefore are governed by the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019.
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) administers several safety measures, including the prohibition of harmful chemicals such as mercury, cadmium, and carcinogenic dyes.
- Inks should be well labeled by adding ingredients, batches, and expiry dates, and should also be sterile to avoid the risks of microbial contamination to the ink.
- To increase the safety, a number of studios adopt inks that are EU-certified and REACH-compliant. Even state regulations can differ; for instance, in the states of Victoria and New South Wales, higher standards of hygiene and reporting of side effects are required.
How to Comply with These Regulations?
Safe tattoo parlors in Australia adhere to best practices to ensure they comply with safety standards.
- They work with authorized ink that is listed at the TGA or EU-compliant, ensuring the safety of the product.
- Most of them also offer patch testing to rule out allergic reactions before completing the tattoo.
- Hygiene is emphasized, and single-use needles, sealed ink caps, and autoclaving are used to prevent infection.
- Records are also kept by the studios of the brands of ink and batch numbers used, in order to handle any complications that may occur clearly and comprehensively.
The safety of tattoo ink depends on the regulations, studios, and clients. By getting to know about the pigment laws in Australia and by global artists to hire the services of reputable artists whatever may be the type of body art that you plan to have done, you will get to reduce risks to a large extent thus ensuring that your body art application is most safe and enjoyable in coming years.
Marco Ventura is a globally award‑winning tattoo artist based in Australia, renowned for his expertise across diverse tattoo styles. As the founder of his own studio, he leads a talented team dedicated to turning personal stories into striking body art. Passionate and visionary, Marco helps clients worldwide bring their tattoo dreams to life. He also shares his thoughts about tattoos and how things can be better for the clients through engaging blog posts.
