All About Inks
Medical Tattoo
Tattoo vs. Permanent Makeup Inks
Permanent makeup (PMU) Inks may be organic or inorganic: many today are hybrid blends containing both organic and inorganic materials. Unlike in the food industry, these terms simply refer to organic materials, (derived from living organisms/plants) such as carbon, and in inorganic materials (not derived from living matter/not containing carbon) such as iron oxide and titanium dioxide. Technically a pigment is the powder composition, and once a liquid carrier solution is added to it, it becomes an ink. These two terms are however loosely interchanged in the tattoo industry.
PMU inks compositionally are considered safer than traditional tattoo inks, which may contain heavy metals or other toxins such as rust, metal salts, plastics, soot and lightening agents.
The longevity of a tattoo is due to many variables: how deep the ink is deposited, the chemical composition of the pigment (organic ink last longer than inorganic) and the color — black will always last longer than a colored ink. Tattoo inks (for traditional body art) do generally have a stronger “color load,” therein lasting longer by design, and they are also deposited deeper into the dermis than in a permanent makeup/medical tattoo procedure.
The moniker “permanent makeup” simply denotes that a tattoo lasts longer than applied makeup. Typically, PMU inks last two to four years, when they will begin to lightly fade and may require a touch-up. Darker ink hues used for eyebrows and scalp pigmentation will inherently last longer. The inks I use for eyebrows and scalp micropigmentation, being organic (carbon-based) or hybrid lines, will not fade into undesirable shades of green, purple, orange or grey—a big problem in the early days of the permanent makeup industry. For my procedures, I only use inks which may lighten over time, but will not change color.
PMU inks (as well as PMU needle cartridges) may cost from four to six times more than those designed for traditional tattoos. I use only the highest-end needle cartridge and ink brands. All inks used at Los Angeles Medical Tattoo come with SDS (Safety Data Sheets) which list chemical ingredients; are CTL certified, meaning they are tested for safety and quality; meet global health standards; and are vegan and cruelty free.
About Inks
Areola Tattoo Ink
For areola tattoo and some paramedical procedures, I am predominantly using World Famous Ink’s Pink Ribbon line, designed for 3D areola creation and other paramedical uses (such as scar camouflage). It’s a hybrid ink which categorically is considered both a “tattoo ink,” and “PMU ink.” This ink composition has a stronger color-load thereby lasting longer and providing more needed opacity for areola creation. This is a safe ink, containing no dangerous additives that some low-end tattoo ink brands may have.
Of the ink lines created for areola, it has the largest color selection, 16 in all, making it exceptional for all diverse skin types and the mixing of personalized colors. This ink will last longer than PMU/cosmetic ink lines created for areola tattoo. Please remember however, that ink longevity is highly variable depending on each person’s skin response: this ink pigment may need a light touch-up at some point. Even traditional body tattoos will fade over time; your areola tattoo will last as long as a traditional tattoo, it may need a touch up after 5 years.
I diverge from claims that the only/more professional approach to 3D areola tattoo is with “tattoo ink” vs. “cosmetic/PMU” ink lines. Such claims are simply marketing hype. There are also exceptional PMU ink lines created exclusively for 3D areola tattoos. Yes, these would likely need a touch-up sooner—2-3 years out—but PMU inks with their gentler composition may be advisable for some people with certain skin/medical conditions such as necrotic tissue or heightened skin sensitivity. In the grand scheme touch-ups are relatively inexpensive and are an easy treatment to perform. If someone has a reason for preferring a cosmetic/PMU ink for their areola tattoo, I can do this as well. It’s simply a personal choice and neither “tattoo ink” nor “cosmetic ink” is more professional nor the industry standard for a 3D areola tattoo.
I use only reputable high-end brands which come with Safety Data Sheets.
Copyrights © 2025 – All rights reserved.