I'm thinking of getting a tattoo in white ink. I need some info on it though. Any objections on white ink?

Answer 1

Obviously, if you have very pale skin, there won't be much contrast between the pigment and your skin, but it will still work. It wil NOT turn pink mixed with blood. It will look pinkish immediately after it's done due to the skin's irritation...after all, when a tattoo is done, you essentially just put a million holes through your skin.

What you want, in terms of the design, is something bold with thick solid lines. Avoid anything with gradients and shading because the subltety will be lost.

A common misconception is that white will look good by itself only on people with dark skin. In truth, it's the opposite. Tattoo ink settles in the layer of skin between the live dermis and the pigment layer. As a result, dark skin's pigment obscures the lighter inks. White is effective in highlighting and giving tonal gradients in darker skin, but on it's own gets obscured by the skin's overall pigment. With lighter complexions, there is less pigment obscuring the ink, so colors, shading, and subtle color differences don't tend to get lost. There's less in the way of the white, too. It will show up on even the palest of pale, though obviously not 'in your face' as black or blue might.

Here are a few examples:
http://www.ratemyink.com/?action=ssp&pid=8408
http://www.ratemyink.com/?action=ssp&pid=8406
http://www.malutattoo.com/color.htm (scroll halfway down)

Then, if you want the ultimate in sublety, there are UV-reactive inks that only show up under blacklight. Years ago, I was skeptical of their long-term safety, but it seems safe so far.
Here are some nifty examples:
http://www.ratemyink.com/?action=ssp&pid=13729
http://www.ratemyink.com/?action=ssp&pid=6295
My favorite:
http://tinyurl.com/ejpsh

Answer 2

Be very careful, make sure the artist is experienced with white ink. If the tatoo is not done well, it can turn pink. Contrary to other people's answers, if the tatoo is done right, it will look great on pale skin. You will have a very subtle tatoo, which I think, is great!

Answer 3

I have some white on one of my tats, and it faded quite a bit, while all the other colors are still very promienent. I would maybe go for some light shading around the image you want, and fill in with white if you want. That way, if the white fades, you can still see the image.

Answer 4

"thats a mad idea. even better try to find an ink that suits your skin colour. match it in winter. then every summer as you tan your tattoo will become more prominant. this will only work if you are light skinned."

this person DOES NOT KNOW what they are talking about. tattoos do not tan like skin does. they FADE if overexposed to sunlight.

Answer 5

White ink does not work well on fair skin.

Answer 6

thats a mad idea. even better try to find an ink that suits your skin colour. match it in winter. then every summer as you tan your tattoo will become more prominant. this will only work if you are light skinned.

Answer 7

Your color will dominate it and it will end up looking more like a burn than a tattoo. Basic black is always the safest.

Answer 8

Careful. It can turn pink when it mixes with your blood.

And you should have fairly dark skin for it to show up properly.

Answer 9

just make sure tattoo parlor.. abides by health codes... clean utensils and needles. there are so many places responsible....for infections , hepatitis ..and worse. as far as color remember our taste changes...as we grow older. get something you are prepared to live with..over the years..

Answer 10

every one in its businesses and yours is the body, although clear I have seen it with black red and of other colors less white