When you hear people talking about getting a white ink tattoo, they usually mean a design which is in all white ink with no other colours. These tats are typically more subtle than the blaringly loud designs you would get with black ink or coloured marks. A white ink tattoo will more often than not, look more like a scar/brand. It is a great way to get inked in a more private way. These marks are usually only really visible when you deliberately show it someone. It is the best of both worlds. You can have your very personal art, without getting any kind of negative attention at formal gatherings or at work.
Simplicity is key when it comes to white ink tattoos. Keep in mind that your tattoo artist will be working with ink which is a little bit trickier to see. Simplistic art has a solid shot at showing up more clearly than a complicated one. Trendy selections include shooting star tattoos, dragons, writing, key tattoos, Kanji symbols, hearts, and basic tribal patterns. These are so much easier to ink and way less likely to end up as a confusing and disappointing blur. All white tattoos will require to be inked over a few times to make sure the finished pattern is as noticeable as possible. Also, darker coloured skin tends to dampen the brightness of white ink.
With a typical tattoo, the design is usually stenciled in before shading begins. The outlines are done with a dark ink, usually black. This provides a very noticeable pattern the artist uses to keep on track. Tats without any dark ink tend to be a bit more blurred. It is more difficult to follow what you have inked when using only white ink. If a different coloured ink is used with the white, it can result in blended mess.
The ink used is completely different from base white inks which tint other colours. When used as the primary ink, you get a much thicker, top quality mixture which is created solely to stand out as much as it can.
White ink tattoos will lose a portion of their brightness and clarity if they are constantly in the sunshine. If you get this type of design, be sure to keep it out of the sun as much as possible. The easiest way to do this is to get inked in an area which you normally cover up. Your back or chest make for ideal areas. If you normally wear clothes with a bit more cover in the summer, you could also try using your shoulder or just below the ankle. (Keep in mind - any tattoo applied near a bone will hurt more than one that is put on muscle).
If a stencil is used on your white ink tattoo, the artist can either make the outline in your own blood or with purple dye. As a warning, your blood can sometimes tint the ink pink, and the purple can also mix. Your best bet is to have a pro do a simple design without a stencil. Ask your tattoo artist if he or she has much experience with white ink before you let them draw on your skin.
Sometimes people have some bad reactions to white ink. Reactions can also happen with black ink, but they are happen more often with white. Reactions include itching and swelling. In some cases the ink can also turn yellow if it mixes with sweat. As a prevention method, there is nothing wrong with asking for a small sample ink in the area you are aiming to have the full design. This way you be more confident that you will be left with a great tattoo instead of an ugly scar.
As with any ink, if you do not put in the effort to take special care of your new tattoo, you might end up with something that only barely resembles the art you wanted. Don't scratch or touch the area. Always keep the gauze on for the minimum of 2 hours. Never ever cover up a new tattoo with plastic/saran wrap. Use only lukewarm water, mild liquid antibacterial soap, and your own hands to clean the area. Lightly dab with paper towel to dry it off. Do not put anything like sunscreen or Neosporin over the area. Lastly - take extra care to not let your new tattoo to get too much sunlight until it heals.
White Ink Tattoos
One of the most popular tattoo designs today is the white ink tattoo, which, as its name implies, is a tattoo colored exclusively with white pigment. While this definition is simple and straight forward, this style of tattoo is anything but average and has a lot of conditions that make them a great choice for some, but not so good for others.
Before getting into the specifics, it best to understand what this style of tattoo looks like compared to traditional designs. White ink is thicker than other pigments, and void of color, so the image will be raised on the skin and appear more as a scar, or brand, rather than your average tattoo. This unique look can be very distinctive and effective without the pain and healing time of a brand.
Now that you know what to expect from this type of tattoo, there are several factors that are important to know to see if they are right for you. The most important is that white pigment shows best on a light or fair complexion. If you have darker skin, the tattoo will appear transparent rather than a solid color, and if you have a lot of freckles, the image will appear uneven or speckled.
White ink shouldn't be combined with a colored design because the other colors will bleed into the white ink, distorting the image. They are also much more sensitive to sun damage and can fade to a yellowish color, or even totally disappear. Because of this you can expect a trip or two back to your artist for a touch up to maintain its original look.
Something else to think about is white pigment is harder to remove, and requires more trips to a tattoo removal specialist than a colored image, and at several hundred dollars a visit, can become very costly. The primary advantage of a white ink tattoo is its unique look, subtle but distinctive, often appearing as a brand, but capable of more intricate detail and the added dimensional advantage of the slightly raised skin.
Follow normal aftercare directions and in a few weeks your new tattoo should look great. If you do suspect a problem or are unhappy with the outcome, take a trip back to your artist to address your concerns. On final note: When searching for a tattoo artist, ask for someone who is experienced in white ink tattoos, ask them if you are a good candidate, and make sure they are going to use pure white ink, and as always, ask to see examples of their work.
