In the past, tattoos were considered quite niche. But these days, they're a massive part of modern culture, and one of the best ways to express parts of your personality or personal story. However, if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you have to be careful. Many traditional tattoo inks aren't actually vegan-friendly. Read on to learn all about vegan tattoos and vegan tattoo ink.
What Are the Differences Between Vegan Tattoos and Common Tattoos?
One of the first questions many vegans have before getting tattooed is "Are tattoos vegan?" Well, the truth is that it depends on what kind of ink is used. Believe it or not, a lot of the inks used for traditional tattoos actually contain animal by-products, like glycerin, which is a kind of animal fat.
Bone char can also be used in black inks, and even some aftercare products for tattoos can contain animal-based ingredients. All of this means that getting a tattoo isn’t quite as easy for vegans, but there are options out there in the form of vegan tattoos or vegetarian tattoos, which are made with animal-friendly elements and ingredients.
So, when we talk about the difference between vegan tattoos and traditional tattoos, the main factor is the tattoo ink. With vegan tattoos, the ink uses the same basic techniques and procedures, but only makes use of plant-based vegan inks and vegan-friendly aftercare products as well.
How to Get a Cruelty-Free Tattoo?
So, how do you actually get a vegan tattoo to match your vegan lifestyle? Well, the process is pretty similar to getting any other kind of tattoo. All you have to do is think of a tattoo design that you’d like to have, decide on a part of the body where you want your tattoo, and then find a shop and tattoo artist to bring that image to life.
The only difference is that you need to be more selective in terms of the artists you work with and the shops you choose to visit. You have to make sure that your chosen shop uses vegan ink and other vegan-friendly items. It’s a good idea to book a tattoo consultation with your shop to discuss the matter and ask any questions you might have.
Where to Get a Vegan Tattoo?
The best place to get a vegan tattoo is at a certified vegan-friendly tattoo shop or studio. These locations have been proven to offer vegan-friendly inks and tattoo procedures, so they won’t let you down in any way and you won’t have to worry about any animal products being used during the process of tattooing your body.
Vegan Tattoo Ink
As explained above, the main thing that sets vegan tattoos apart from other tattoos is the type of ink used. Instead of containing the likes of gelatin, glycerin, bone char, and other animal ingredients, vegan tattoo ink is made with 100% vegan-friendly ingredients and plant based essentials.
What Are the Differences with Common Tattoo Ink
The difference between common tattoo ink and vegan ink is in the list of ingredients. Common tattoo ink often contains various animal ingredients, like gelatin to help stabilize the ink, glycerin to help it disperse evenly in the skin, and bone char to give it a black color. Vegan ink uses vegan-friendly alternatives to have the same effect without the need for animal ingredients.
Is Vegan Tattoo Ink Safer?
So, we know that vegan tattoo ink doesn't contain any animal products, but does that have any effect on its safety or health levels? Well, since this is a relatively new product, there hasn't been a lot of research into it, and there has been some debate in recent times about possible safety advantages of vegan ink.
Some people argue that using vegan ink is better because people can heal faster from it. In scientific terms, there's not yet any evidence to back up this claim, and there's no reason to believe that vegan ink is healthier or better for you. However, it is completely safe to use and doesn't contain any dangerous chemicals.
Vegan Tattoo Aftercare
When it comes to vegan tattoos, the ink isn’t the only thing that you need to think about. You’ve also got to think about aftercare products. It’s important to look after your tattooed skin and help it heal with the correct products. Some aftercare products can contain animal products like glycerin, so you’ll need to choose vegan-friendly essentials like organic tattoo butter and coconut oil lotion.
Vegan Tattoo Shops
Vegan tattoo shops are the best places to go for vegan tattoos. These locations have been certified and are proven to offer vegan tattoos and use vegan-friendly inks, stencils, and other items. Just like any other tattoo shop, they can offer the same great images and artistic creations for your skin.
Finding a Vegan Tattoo Artist
Let’s say you’re looking for a vegan tattoo shop in West Covina, how do you go about it? Well, one of the simplest ways is to look online. There are lots of vegan-friendly resources and sites that can help you hone in on the best vegan tattoo artists in your area, as well as communities of people who can give you recommendations. It’s also a good idea to call or visit the shops to ask if they offer vegan services.
The Final Word
With so many people enjoying tattoos as a form of self-expression nowadays, it would be a shame if vegans had to feel left out. Luckily, thanks to vegan inks and vegan tattooing studios, it’s perfectly possible and easy to get the tattoo of your dreams without making any compromises on your beliefs or lifestyle.