Blue Tattoos: a guide on everything you need to know before choosing it
Made by Manda @aureoroma
Gone are the days when the default tattoo was black. Different shades of ink have long existed, such as the style of traditional American sailor tattoos and tebori tattoos. However, single-color tattoos, such as blue tattoos, have become popular in recent times.
Shades of blue can be a unique choice for your next tattoo.
Blue is one of the rarest colors to be found in nature (when not looking at the sky or ocean).
Fewer than one in ten plants have blue flowers, and this shade is also very rare in animals.
This is because natural blue pigments are rare. In fact, both plants and animals often have to resort to tricks of the light to appear heavenly.
The ancient Egyptians were the first to create a synthetic blue pigment; Egyptian color was created around 2,200 B.C. from ground limestone mixed with sand and azurite or malachite.
The result was an opaque blue glass. This glass then had to be crushed and combined with thickening agents to create a long-lasting paint or glaze.
In the last 200 years, only one new shade of blue has been created by modern chemistry. It is YInMn blue, produced in 2009 in a laboratory at Oregon State University.
Why is humanity looking for new shades? Why is this group of shades becoming so popular in the tattoo world?
One answer is their symbolism.
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The symbolism of blue
Blue is one of the most popular answers to the question “What is your favorite color?” This may be due to the emotions it represents.
Psychologically, this color evokes feelings of calmness or serenity. In fact, it is often described as peaceful, tranquil, safe and orderly.
The color blue also has different meanings in different cultures. In Greece, the color blue is believed to ward off the “evil eye.” Those who believe in this Greek superstition wear a necklace of blue pendants or a blue bracelet for protection.
In China, however, colors are associated with the elements; blue, in particular, is linked to wood, the east and spring.
In Latin America, blue is a symbol of hope. This is due to Catholic ideology. In fact, in many images of the Virgin Mary this is depicted wearing a blue cloak and headdress.
However, before you decide to get a blue ink tattoo, there are a few things you need to know.
Made by Haneul
Skin tone has an impact on tattooing
Your skin is not a blank canvas: it already has pigments and tones. Your skin tone will have an impact on the tattoo ink.
The first tip is to do a color test with the blue ink you have chosen. This way you will be able to be clear about the shade the design will take after the tattoo has cured.
Blue ink for tattoos has been banned in Europe.
In 2022, the European Union enacted a law against certain tattoo inks. The motivation is the possible toxicity to humans of those inks. The elements that make up these inks, if in excess, can become toxic to humans over time.
However, reports on the level of toxicity are very low, which means that the risk levels are slight. Thus, this ban could be a precautionary measure to avoid an excess of certain metals in the body.
Ines Schreiver studies tattoo ink at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. He told NPR that when his institute examined the two pigments, they had a relatively low level of toxicity.
Also, because of the lack of data, we do not have a clear answer on the safety of some tattoo inks.
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Blue ink tattoo removal
it is always necessary to think long and hard about the tattoo you choose before having it done. However, if you end up hating the tattoo, you can remove it by laser.
Not all inks are the same. As a result, not all tattoos are removed in the same way and with the same results.
For example, tattoos with white ink are the most difficult to remove. In contrast, black ink tattoos are the easiest to remove.
In fact, if you think about the color spectrum, black absorbs all wavelengths. And it absorbs most of the heat. While white retracts all wavelengths of light. And it absorbs less heat.
But in the spectrum from black to white, where does blue rank? It depends on the shade of blue.
Generally, black tattoos and those with darker inks are the easiest to work with. This is followed by reds and warmer colors and then blues and greens. Blues and greens require a few more treatments.
Do blue ink tattoos fade quickly?
The shade of the blue ink chosen affects the removal process. It also affects how the tattoo will fade over time.
All tattoos fade. Remember that ink is a foreign substance, so your body breaks down ink particles over time to remove it. The sun accelerates this process, as UVA and UVB rays not only age the skin, but also the tattoos.
The color of the tattoo also has an impact.
However, the lighter the shade of blue, the faster it will fade. Therefore, in the case of a light blue tattoo, touch-ups will be necessary. These “touch ups” are necessary to maintain the sharpness of the tattoo.
Each tattoo style has its pros and cons. Want to figure out if the tattoo you choose is the one you really want? Take your time, research your idea and talk to professional tattoo artists.