I have a fairly severe metal allergy, and am curious if there are any completely metal-free tattoo inks? I’d love to get tattoos but an allergy like mine makes it difficult.

Hi Echo, the best thing to do is to ask your tattoo artist which ink he uses and the respective ink manufacturers about the ingredients. Be sure to mention which metals you are allergic to so that you can rule out the possibility of residues in the ink. Black ink is the safest option. If you want to be sure, you should start with a very small tattoo or a short test line and wait to see if you are allergic to the ink.

Furthermore, the tattoo needle is also made of metal. When tattooing, tiny particles from the needles get into the puncture spots. These abrasions can also cause allergic reactions. Therefore, it is best to try it out on a very small area and consult your allergist beforehand, so that the risk is kept low and you can get help quickly if the worst comes to the worst.