White ink tattoos are a relatively new development in the tattoo world, and they open up a lot more variety within the body art business. Traditional black tattoos can cause problems at the workplace if they are visible, but white ink is so difficult to detect on skin that the tattoo can be placed almost anywhere on the body and still be subtle.
Reasons for Choosing a White Ink Tattoo
White ink is a very subtle ink. It is thicker and takes more time to apply to the skin, but the result is often nearly undetectable if one is unaware of the tattoo's existence. The thickness and coloration of the ink can leave the skin looking as though it has been branded or scarred while still being very subtle, giving a new way to utilize ink in body art.
Many celebrities are opting for white ink tattoos, including Lindsay Lohan, who got one after a particularly frightening episode of asthma. Because white ink tattoos are so hard to see for the unsuspecting eye, they are ideal for someone who works in a high-visibility job or an office where tattoos are frowned upon.
More and more women are beginning to get white ink tattoos as well, since they can be much more feminine looking and are generally quite easy to take care of, in addition to the ease with which they are covered up should the occasion require it.
White ink tattoos also allow for some experimentation with design; because they will take on a color several shades lighter than the skin into which they are tattooed, many people feel free to adopt bold designs. As skin darkens and lightens with summer exposure, the appearance of the tattoo will also change, becoming more visible against darker skin.
Risks of White Ink Tattoos
As white ink tattoos are relatively new, some tattoo parlors will not perform them. It takes a great deal more skill to tattoo using white ink; the purple ink used in most stencils for tattoos can get into the white ink, leaving a gray or discolored tattoo instead of a white one. There are also instances of the white ink reacting badly with skin, turning a slight yellowish color as a result of the lymph in skin cells.
It is also much more difficult to tattoo precisely using white ink, since it is harder for a tattoo artist to see where he or she is tattooing. Simpler designs are usually advised when getting a white ink tattoo; solid designs, images or patterns are common and less apt to have mistakes. White ink is also thicker than normal tattoo ink and has the tendency to spread out over time, meaning that more complex designs are likely to lose their crispness.
Most issues with white ink can be avoided or repaired by discussing them with a tattoo artist before consenting to a tattoo. Taking in a design, working with stencils and planning the type of desired tattoo carefully can help individuals prevent getting a tattoo that they dislike later or which doesn't look as originally intended. White ink tattoos are very subtle and generally easy to maintain. For someone who is looking for a tattoo that is easily covered for work or other reasons, a white ink tattoo is often the best and most attractive option available.
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