Maybe you’ve caught a glimpse of Lindsay Lohan’s subtle “Breathe” tattoo on her wrist, seemingly flawless and undeniably well-maintained. The reality is, White Ink Tattoos remain somewhat of a mystery to many, and truthfully, a preference for secrecy exists among some tattoo artists. Why is this the case? Let me share my personal journey with white ink. I’m Genevieve, and for the past five years, I’ve been part of the Liquid Amber Tattoo family. Throughout this time, I’ve acquired six white ink tattoos from our talented artists, each with its own unique healing story. From my perspective, and echoing the sentiments of many in the industry, here’s why we often steer clients away from white ink tattoos.
My White Ink Tattoo Experiment
As an actor, the visibility of tattoos is a constant consideration, potentially impacting casting opportunities. However, working at Liquid Amber Tattoo as a shop manager, tattoo-free, began to feel a little out of sync with my environment. Intrigued by the concept of pure white ink tattoos, which I had only heard about but never witnessed firsthand, I decided to take a personal plunge. My motivation was deeply personal; I desired a tattoo that was discreet, almost invisible to the casual observer. Frankly, even if the outcome mirrored the artists’ cautionary tales, my personal connection to the design meant the risk felt manageable.
The Tattooing Session: A Test of Patience
The tattooing process commenced with a surprisingly lengthy stencilling session. Positioning symmetrical designs on the inherently asymmetrical canvas of the human body proved to be more challenging than anticipated. Once the placement was finalized, the tattoo application itself took longer than expected. The primary hurdle was preventing the purple stencil pigment from contaminating the white ink. Our solution was a technique called creating a “blood line.”
A blood line involves initially tattooing the design area with water. This creates a superficial scratch, effectively marking the boundaries of the tattoo. This water outline acts as a temporary guide. Following the blood line, we meticulously filled in the design with the white ink. Initially, the result was striking. My new tattoos were a bright, almost dazzling white. They were undeniably noticeable, resembling crisp white-out applied directly to my skin. Regrettably, this vivid whiteness was short-lived. As the scabs naturally shed about a week later, the tattoos’ visibility diminished, fading incrementally each day.
The Healed Reality: Unpredictable Fading and Longevity
Tattoo inks are deposited beneath the epidermis, residing in the deeper dermis layers of the skin. Counterintuitively, white ink’s visibility is often better on lighter skin tones, as it shows through the epidermis more readily. However, white ink exhibits notoriously unpredictable behavior within the skin. Its appearance is prone to change significantly over time, and in some instances, it can disappear almost entirely. In my personal experience, two out of my six white ink tattoos vanished completely. One tattoo healed remarkably well after a second tattooing session, retaining a decent level of visibility. Another showed moderate improvement after a second pass, healing “half-okay.” The remaining two, unfortunately, lived up to the warnings I had received. They morphed into brownish, greyish, scar-like marks, barely visible and resembling smudges of dirt more than intentional tattoos, even after two reinforcement sessions. Simply stated, white ink’s longevity and appearance are highly unpredictable.
Allergic Reactions, Sun Exposure, and Disappearing Ink
Body lotions, chemical sunscreens, and sun exposure are all known culprits in negatively affecting white ink tattoos. Allergic reactions to white ink are relatively common, and some individuals experience recurring reactions triggered by sun exposure, even years after the tattoo has fully healed. In my own experience, two of my white ink tattoos faded to near invisibility within mere weeks. The day following the tattooing session, my skin seemed to reject the ink, resulting in intensely itchy tattoos that were disproportionately uncomfortable compared to standard tattoos.
Still Considering White Ink? Weighing Your Options
I documented my white ink tattoo journey with photos precisely to visually illustrate my experience and to underscore why we consistently advise clients to consider colored inks or lighter pigment alternatives instead of pure white ink. It’s important to understand that lighter colors are best suited for fair skin tones, should be placed in areas with minimal sun exposure, and can still exhibit patchy healing and tonal shifts as the skin ages. However, they generally yield more satisfactory and predictable results compared to white ink.
Still set on a white ink tattoo? If so, please send us a detailed email outlining your tattoo concept. Include specifics such as the design, size, desired location on your body, and any reference photos that can help us understand your vision. We will then assess the feasibility and potential outcomes for your specific request.
Ultimately, in my professional and personal opinion, you are likely to be significantly happier with the long-term appearance and vibrancy of your tattoo if you opt for colored or black ink. While I personally cherish my white ink tattoos for their sentimental value, their aesthetic outcome is undeniably underwhelming, and they are prone to becoming uncomfortably itchy when exposed to the sun. It’s also crucial to acknowledge my privileged position: working within a tattoo shop grants me convenient access to touch-ups and revisions, a luxury not readily available to everyone.
