Tattoos might be one of the most notorious expressions of body painting. People love to get different tattoos just to showcase something or even someone. Tattoo inks are of various kinds and will help create a base that’s too kind. But even with the tattoo ink, different aspects are considered. For example, the inks’ expiry date is an important term to understand. Tattoo inks tend to expire with time, like every other pigment. And when you use expired ink, the chances are high that the art will not turn out as planned. You can even contract different diseases. What happens if you use expired tattoo ink?
The expired ink can cause bacterial infections on the skin, and the infection will lead to further symptoms like fever, pus, and irritation of the skin. And further down the line, the expired tattoo might cause staining on the skin. Permanent bad staining from the tattoo ink is never desired, but they turn pretty bad sometimes. And lastly, with expired ink, the chances are high that the tattoo will not settle well and it will fade early. You’ll not be able to see the precise lines. Using expired tattoo ink will only add to the problems of the skin and can lead to tremendous and fatal diseases.
What is Tattoo Ink?
Tattoo inks are pigments that are used directly on the skin and will leave a permanent stain in the area. Different ingredients are mixed to create an entirely new color. The most common ingredients for tattoo ink would be metal salts, plastics, and iron oxides. The pigments of the tattoo ink would depend on the presence of different kinds of minerals. For example, for red pigments, cinnabar or mercury compounds are used. And again, other pigments like arsenic, beryllium, and sulfur would be used to make the tattoo ink.
Some of the inks are also made with an organic or inorganic base. And most of the inks used today are carbon-based. The substances used on the tattoos would work best when the amounts were regulated. Some of the pigments have been tested as toxic by the FDA. The ink’s ingredients would most affect the expiration date of the ink.
Does Tattoo Ink Have an Expiry Date?
Only the most reputable brands would include an expiration date. Most of the tattoo ink available on the market does not come with an expiration date. And it is believed that the tattoo ink doesn’t have an expiration date. But you can only use the tattoo ink for a few years. When stored correctly, the tattoo ink will last for two to five years. Mostly, the shelf life of the tattoo ink would be around 24 months. Using tattoo ink year after year will not give you the same level of pigmentation from the time it started. So we recommend using the tattoo ink within six to twelve months of the opening.
So how is the expiration date of the tattoo ink determined? When a tattoo is going bad, the chances are high that it is very close to its expiration date. So here we are, including the terms that will determine the expiration date of the tattoo ink:
Ink quality: the most common deciding factor for the expiration date would be the overall quality of the ink. When you spend a little more cash on tattoo ink, it will last longer and will not degrade quickly like the low-quality ones.
Storage of the ink: the longevity of the ink is somewhat decided by how the ink was stored. The best way to store the ink would be on a cool shelf. Try to hold the ink in a dark place so no sunlight will touch it. And try to use the ink once in a while from it to dispersing down.
Usage: well, the more you use to ink, the chances are higher that they will not go bad. The tattoo inks are often shaken while in use. So the inks don’t get the opportunity to separate, and they stay suitable for a while.
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How Do I Know That a Tattoo’s Ink has Expired?
When tattoo ink has expired or gone wrong, there are some evident symptoms. You might want to learn about the symptoms at first to avoid any problems later on. Understanding the signs of expired ink is also essential to prevent issues on the client’s skin. Here are the symptoms:
Smell bad: the most common symptom of expired tattoo ink is that it will smell funny. The ink will take on something like a sour, rancid smell. Basically, the ink will smell like a pure chemical. The strange smell can be sensed as soon as you open the bottle.
Change in consistency: another way to notice that the tattoo ink has expired would be with their texture. For instance, the ink would look thin. The oils and pigments have separated, and they kind of look like a semi-liquid mixture with some chunks in it. The bulks will not mix in the liquid even when you shake them well.
Change in color: when ink expires, the most common symptom is that the color or opacity has changed. For example, if you use a bright color, the expired one will show less vibrancy. Even when applied to the skin, the ink turns dull, and the designs will not show up.
What Happens When You Use Expired Tattoo Ink?
There are several reasons why expired tattoo ink is bad. First, the tattoo experience is painful in general. Again you’re spending a lot of time and cash to get the ink. Sometimes the tattoos hold a special meaning. And if the tattoos go wrong just because the ink is expired, then it’ll be a sad moment. So here are some reasons why you should avoid expired tattoo ink:
Bad results
The most common back draw from using expired tattoo ink is that they turn very dull. Mostly the tattoos will not have any bright remarks, and they’ll end up looking like a drawing that has been done with a permanent marker. The tattoo does not look flattering in any case. Even the designs look bad with the expiry date. The early fading of the tattoos will also be caused by the expired tattoo ink.
Infection
The sole reason to avoid anything that’s expired directly on the skin would be the fear of infection. The expired tattoo will start to react on the skin in an instant when you have very sensitive skin. Bumps, puss, swelling, itchiness, irritation, fever, chills, etc., are some of the symptoms of using expired tattoo ink. If not treated or backed out immediately, the tattoo ink will do further damage by compromising overall health.
Permanent scarring
Bacterial infections might be very common when you use expired ink. But the chances of scarring on the skin are very high when you use expired ink. The ink will distort and cause uneven scarring on the skin. These scars are not easy to cover up, and you might have to do another session on inking for them.
Infectious diseases
Another key reason to ignore expired ink would be to avoid skin diseases. The non-tuberculous mycobacteria or NTM can be linked to expired inks. These would be problems like lung disease, joint issues, etc. You’ll need about six months of treatments to get rid of these diseases. There is an NTM bug that will cause this kind of disease. The longer the ink will stand, the more the chances of bacterial growth in it.
Take The Expiration Date Seriously
The most important fact about the expiration date is that you have to take it seriously. Check the packaging or the bottle of ink to understand the dates. You can even check the website of the manufacturer to understand the expiration date. And again, if there’s no mention, you might want to ask the manufacturer about the date. Try to close the lids properly, and also see if the ink’s seal is broken. The already opened bottle has the chance of contamination. And when that happens, the expiration date of the ink will be very close. The overall packaging of the bottle is also to blame for the contamination of the tattoo ink.
FAQs
How long is tattoo ink good after its expiration date?
The tattoo ink is good to use even after the expiration date when the overall integrity of the ink is not lost, and it smells and looks okay.
How long does tattoo ink last in a bottle?
The tattoo ink will last for 24 months after it is opened, which can vary according to the brand.
Final Thoughts
Tattoo ink usage has to be moderated by the artists. They should take extra precautions to check the dates before applying them. Besides the expiry date, the tattoo ink might also go bad when they are not stored properly. But the tattoo ink, when expired, will separate on the bottle and just look shabby on the skin. And most importantly, they’ll also cause skin problems. Again, tattoo ink can be used even after it has not expired. This means that the ink has gone past its expiry date, but they have not changed its nature. And thus, the ink is still good to use. While using ink, when you feel uncomfortable, then you better inquire the tattoo artist about the expiry date. And always visit a licensed tattoo artist when you are thinking about getting a tattoo to avoid any mishaps.
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