Tattoo artist Lucy Thompson – who’s also an award winner, businesswoman and mother from Cullingworth in Bradford – recently received a standing ovation for her TEDxNHS talk discussing free nipple tattoos post mastectomy. She offers an alternative option to the NHS through her charity The Nipple Innovation Project
Lucy took the stage before an audience of 400, with millions more tuning in via live stream, to share her inspiring story of how her transformative tattoo work has become a lifeline for so many. After her talk, people lined up to speak with her, leaving Lucy deeply moved by how much her work resonates with others and grateful for the opportunity to share her message.
How The Nipple Innovation Project started
Lucy has been a tattoo artist since 2013 and started offering realistic areola tattoos to support women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. Her inspiration came from her aunt, who experienced a mastectomy, breast reconstruction, a nipple graft, and a tattoo in hospital.
Although her aunt recovered well, ten years after her diagnosis, the fading tattoo needed some love. The prospect of returning to the hospital felt daunting, and the impact on her body image deeply affected her self-esteem.
“I asked her what it would mean to her to have this tattoo looking more realistic and she said it would help her feel whole again,” Lucy tells us. “After the trauma of going through cancer, I want to make the restorative period as stress-free as possible and help women feel like themselves again, drawing a line under the arduous journey they‘ve been through. Why should they have to return for future treatment when it can be done in one process?”
Driven by a strong passion for finding a better way, Lucy took matters into her own hands and created The Nipple Innovation Project.
About The Nipple Innovation Project
The Nipple Innovation Project became the first charity to collaborate with the NHS by partnering with Bradford Teaching Hospitals to offer nipple tattoo services post-surgery. This groundbreaking initiative caught the attention of TEDx, leading them to invite Lucy to speak about her work and her direct involvement with the NHS.
Lucy founded The Nipple Innovation Project in 2018 to provide education, funding, and access to skilled tattoo artists for breast cancer survivors seeking specialised nipple tattoos. After founding the project after years of doing private work, Lucy’s story went viral through a BBC article. She was soon overwhelmed with requests from women across the country seeking her help with their faded hospital tattoos.
Currently, survivors undergoing mastectomies are offered free semi-permanent tattoos through the NHS, but they often fade and can lead to physical and emotional challenges. Repeat treatments are rarely available due to funding limitations and the risk of further damaging delicate scar tissue. Determined to make a difference, Lucy launched her initiative to advocate for permanent 3D nipple tattoos.
Example of nipple tattoo provided by The Nipple Innovation Project
The project aims to raise awareness of this life-changing services, ensuring people know it exists and have access to information about all available choices, encouraging them to make informed and educated decisions.
“Work was, and still is being done by practitioners who are given minimal training, and they are unintentionally causing further damage,” explains Lucy. “I wanted to make my service accessible to anyone affected by breast cancer without cost being a factor and I wanted to build a directory of artists throughout the UK to make it more accessible to more people, so the charity was born. This has been a huge labour of love, and so much harder than I anticipated, but we are making inroads to this becoming more mainstream, and it is all worth it.”
Lucy Thompson at TEDxNHS
Centered on the belief that ’ideas change everything’, TEDx fosters impactful conversations and the exchange of big ideas worldwide. Having a woman in the tattooing industry take the stage to use this platform for destigmatising a taboo topic is truly incredible.
“The work we do is still so unknown, but it can be life -changing,” says Lucy. “When people come out the other side of cancer, there’s still so much trauma to overcome and after a mastectomy, there‘s not just physical healing, but emotional, too.”
“Nipple tattoos are offered on the NHS for people who want them, but they are basic, semi permanent and they quickly fade away, negatively impacting a person’s self esteem. Our solution is here to stay and the result is much more realistic looking, as we are using our specific skills as tattoo artists.“
“We also offer our services in a beautiful private studio in a rural setting, out in the countryside, so there are no hospitals and the experience is one that encourages reflection, escapism and serenity, helping survivors to find their confidence again, and to help them love their bodies again after they have been through something so life changing.”
Stay connected with The Nipple Innovation project by following them on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, where you can witness their stunning creations come to life.
Social media has undoubtedly influenced the tattoo industry, bringing both advantages and drawbacks. A lot of people have found their favourite tattoo artists and styles through online platforms, and smaller tattoo artists are gaining much-deserved recognition through their social media presence. The benefits are huge, making the tattooing world more accessible than ever before. But, what are the downsides? Is social media shaping or breaking the tattoo industry?
We sat down to have a chat about it with Kezz Richardson, tattoo artist, studio owner and mentor who helps tattoo artists increase their bookings and avoid burnout. With over 20 years of experience, Kezz has seen the influence of social media on the tattoo industry. Inspired by this, she founded ‘Tattoo Smarter‘ and recently launched a new course designed to help tattoo artists master their social media presence and discover personalised strategies that work for them. So, if anyone understands the ins and outs of social media and tattooing, it’s definitely Kezz.
First off, do you think social media has helped or made it more challenging for tattoo artists?
This is such a nuanced question, it’s made some parts harder and others easier. Social media is so dynamic, it’s changing all the time.
I’ll start with the positives: social media has helped so many tattoo artists connect with clients on a much wider scale than before, all with the click of some buttons. Pre-social media, you might have had 50 people walk into your shop every week – then suddenly you can put your work in front of thousands of potential clients just by using your phone.
Another positive is that social media has helped tattoo artists see and be inspired by other artists’ work more easily. We used to rely on magazines and conventions, which have historically been curated and shaped mostly by white cis men (whose platforms were often influenced by industry politics).
Social media has enabled more minority voices to find their place in tattooing and has given a platform to many types of artists for the first time.
Social media has connected artists on a mass scale, and sharing information digitally has pushed both technical tattoo and business standards much further than if we were still progressing at an analogue pace. The rate at which artists are improving is astonishing compared to even ten years ago.
It’s also provided a huge opportunity to create a more diverse network of artists that may never have met before- going for guest spots meeting up at conventions etc, community & support absolutely make tattooing easier.
Now the downsides: social media has changed at such a rapid pace that some artists that aren’t able (or don’t want) to keep up are feeling completely disenfranchised and lost. They have found themselves with less and less clients because the ability to be visible online is now much harder. I completely get why they feel like this. They wanted to tattoo; the job has lots more moving parts now.
The evolution of social media has especially affected the artists that embraced social media at the start when they found it was so easy to collect followers and followers equalled bookings. Now follower count is mostly irrelevant and lots of artists don’t understand engaged niche followers are much more important now.
Social media has evolved way quicker than our collective education about how to use it.
Those who have always had social media to market themselves are on the whole more adaptable but are still struggling with the changes. I was around well before it and it’s benefitted my career massively. We didn’t need social media before, but we have become to rely on it if we want to be competitive. It was a free tool at the start where the barrier to entry was low – the goalposts have now changed.
Lots of tattoo artists still say we don’t need online visibility and that it’s just word of mouth that’s important but I strongly disagree with this. The first thing clients do after getting a recommendation is to go look online at artists before they make a decision, they very rarely just decide to walk to the tattoo shop without some digital research.
Social media has undoubtedly contributed to more people wanting to become tattoo artists – this means greater competition than before, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There are clients for everyone – different styles, different budgets, different experiences are now catered for. Unfortunately, lots of tattoo artists don’t like the idea of so many newer artists coming into the industry and doing things in a different way or them having to adapt to be competitive.
There are more clients than ever before, but some tattoo artists feel that these new clients aren’t ‘tattoo people’ and are too ‘mainstream.’ This has made gatekeeping more important for those trying to exclude others.
Social media has also allowed clients to think that we owe them our time.
People expect quick responses, and send impatient messages with the expectation of an instant reply, instead of allowing us to focus on the client in front of us or have actual rest days, only adding to our stress. I advocate for professional boundaries, such as forms and digital booking systems, to address this issue. However, tattoo artists as a whole have been slow to adopt these practices, despite my efforts over the past two years to promote them.
Lastly, I believe social media has contributed to a decline in tattooing hygiene – or at least an increase in the number of tattoo artists with appalling hygiene standards. When reels showcasing terrible hygiene practices are shared, it gives the impression that such behaviour is acceptable or normal, leading others to imitate these bad practices. For example, there was a case where a tattoo artist used an actual cat’s paw to apply the stencil onto a client’s skin, with the cat remaining on the client’s legs throughout the entire tattoo session. We’re witnessing more alarming instances where people prioritise views over their clients’ safety. Examples include matching BFF tattoos where open wounds are rubbed against each other, uncovered beds or armrests, artists wearing watches, and hair or sleeves dipping into open tattoos—the unfortunate list goes on.
Phew. So like I said, nuanced as fuck.
Does managing your social media as a tattoo artist feel like a second job?
Absolutely. Tattoo artists have like 25 jobs on top of tattooing and social media is now a huge part of staying visible. There are tons of other jobs we do like admin, customer service, we are our own HR department, accounting etc.
@tattoosmarter
It takes up a lot of time and energy – especially when it’s an entirely different skillset to tattooing. It feels like an extra job because lots of tattoo artists just want to tattoo. When we only focus on the tattoo part though, we are forgetting that connecting with our clients is also a huge part of our job.
Clients aren’t just a canvas, we sometimes forget that when we focus solely on the tattoo aspect. Marketing is more sophisticated now yes, but it’s ALWAYS been a part of our job.
My advice for anyone struggling is to streamline all your off-skin work practices rigorously. For example, admin tasks can be vastly improved with a digital booking system, saving hours each week. You can then use this reclaimed time for marketing on social media, integrating it into your regular workload rather than piling it on top.
Also, educate yourself. Social media becomes more manageable when you understand what you’re doing; there’s no shame in seeking help or striving to improve. This is even more crucial if you work in a private studio where visibility is limited. If your studio has a small following, you’ll need to put in extra effort.
Be cautious with social media “assistants”; many may not be knowledgeable. If you decide to outsource, ensure they have demonstrated significant engagement. There are countless “experts” out there just looking to take your money.
Do you think social media brought more stress than good to tattoo artists?
This answer is artist-dependent. Some artists have thrived using social media, some have become completely disillusioned and some have thrived for a short period and then completely burnt out.
For some tattoo artists, social media increases anxiety about not posting enough or feeling behind compared to others who appear to have everything under control, even when they don’t. Much of this perception is an illusion. To reduce stress, the best approach is to learn how to use and manage your energy online and embrace therapy. Anything related to our income is always going to cause stress to some degree, learning about social media gives back a bit of that control.
Does having an active social media presence affect the number of bookings for an artist?
Absolutely not. You could post three times per day and it won’t get you more engagement from the right people or bookings for a number of reasons.
Understanding your client journey online is huge. I still see tattoo artists with no location in their bio or no directions to their link to book using an enquiry form etc. When you miss out on these simple things you are missing out on bookings because you’ve made it difficult for clients to book with you. Making the client journey as easy as possible gets you bookings.
Understanding your retention is massive too, you might get clients through your door using socials but if you don’t get repeat clientele then there’s something up with your client experience.
You can’t just rely on your socials.It’s one part of the puzzle.
If your content isn’t engaging it doesn’t matter how much you post. The goal for your socials is to know your audience and post quality content that will make people feel something. It also helps to be able to analyse the data around your metrics too. Tons of likes don’t mean anything – a good post with lots of inquiries does.
As I mentioned earlier your socials should be all about connection. Tattoo artists turn their noses up at the world ‘content’ but anything you post online is content, including tattoo photos. It’s just that the majority of clients don’t find tattoo photos engaging anymore. You need to find new ways of repackaging your work in a more palatable format to get you up the rankings, on to the explore page, and actually seen.
Tattoo Smarter With Kezz Richardson
If you’re interested in learning more about Kezz and her services, you can visit her website here. Kezz has recently introduced a new course for tattoo artists on social media marketing here, along with a range of other advice and courses. She is also the founder of the Together Tattoo Network business events, which support women, queer, BIPOC, disabled artists, and other marginalised voices often overlooked in the tattooing industry. For details on their in-person event in October, visit their Instagram page @togethertattoonetwork
*NSFW: YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO OPEN THIS ARTICLE IN FRONT OF YOUR GRANDMA OR YOUR BOSS AT WORK, AS THERE IS A LOT OF NUDITY, INCLUDING FULL FRONTAL (UNLESS THEY’RE INTO KINK, TOO)*
We love that BDSM offers a community of acceptance allowing people to embrace and celebrate their sexualities… We also adore that many tattoo collectors are choosing to proudly adorn their bodies with designs that reflect their connection to this vibrant, sex-positive and ever-growing community.
We spoke to the tattoo artists specialising in these designs about their perspectives on the BDSM and kink scene. Of course, we also heard from collectors about why they love these tattoos too…
“I was a fetish fashion model for over a decade and found myself surrounded by strong, intelligent women who owned their sexuality – I’ve always tried to replicate that both personally and artistically. As a young adult, the community really shaped me in a positive way and taught me a lot about consent and communication, which helps so much with my own tattoo clients.”
“Fetish work always seemed like the most natural thing to transition into tattooing as it was something I had a lot of knowledge of (and experience in) and I loved drawing it. My style translated to tattooing perfectly.”
Sophie’s admiration for photographers such as Bob Carlos Clarke, Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton, and artists including John Willie and Tom of Finland sparked her interest in Shibari. With her background in fetish work and love for drawing, she found Shibari a natural fit. Transitioning to tattooing, her style remained consistent, reflecting her passion with ease.
“I’d say that 75% of my clients who get kinky work are female and most are LBGTQ+. I’ve worked with Sub/Dom dynamics before, but most of my work centres on female empowerment. I don’t tattoo women participating in anything NSFW that could be even slightly misconstrued as discomfort or pain. I also don’t tattoo fetish work anywhere that is really visible or hard to conceal – I can consent, as can my client, but the general public can’t.”
“I have a responsibility as an artist to make sure my clients’ wellbeing is the most important part of the process – that includes appropriately placing a tattoo that could potentially jeopardise job opportunities and how they are perceived in an everyday setting.”
“This tattoo screams ‘female sexual empowerment‘ and that’s exactly why I chose it. I asked the tattooist to change the fingers to ones that looked more feminine as there’s nothing more powerful than a woman who’s sexually empowered. It’s one of my favourite tattoos.”
“I love creating sex-positive tattoos and working with a diverse group of clients who want to feel empowered through ink. These tattoos break stereotypes and attract people from all walks of life, each wanting a unique way to express themselves.
“From detailed designs celebrating body positivity to subtle symbols of liberation, sex-positive tattoos tell individual stories. I connect with clients who appreciate the art, building a community that values creativity over stereotypes – this means prioritising individuality, originality and diverse perspectives in artistic expression. It means embracing the uniqueness of each person’s creativity, regardless of societal norms or preconceived notions. It challenges stereotypes that may limit or box in people based on factors such as gender, race or background, making a more inclusive and open-minded creative community.”
“My clients might seem conservative on the surface due to their professional background or upbringing, but they express themselves through art that some might find taboo. It’s about embracing unexpected side.”
“My clients showcase the inclusive nature of sex-positive tattoo artistry. These tattoos aren’t seedy; they’re a celebration of personal thoughts and fantasies, breaking free from societal norms. My passion goes beyond the ink; it’s about witnessing clients reclaim their bodies and embrace their unique journeys.“
“Whether a client is quiet or outspoken, they become a platform for empowerment. Conversations sparked by these tattoos challenge norms and redefine beauty. This mix of art and self-discovery keeps me loving what I do, fostering connection and understanding.”
“I am a big fan of trying to push the boundaries of what a traditional tattoo is. I often source my inspiration from vintage fashion and fetish illustrations and photography.”
“My goal is to create designs that will shock your grandma but still portray the high class. I want to make designs that are sexy but not pornographic.”
“I think people often get these tattoos for the same reason gay men used colour coded handkerchiefs in their back pockets – it allows the wearer to signal their preferences indirectly, without broadcasting them to everyone.”
“Other people might use them to celebrate or commemorate an event.I got a two-headed snake after my first MMF threesome, and a jar of coconut oil after I tried anal successfully for the first time.”
“Plus, some elements of tattooing revolve around trust and pain in the same way that BDSM does, it’s a practice that requires you to be present in your physical body and exert a considerable amount of willpower, and you have to have faith in and good communication with your artist.”
“Artist Damien Hirst once said he wished art would be treated with the same respect as medicine and I think tattooing is as close as we get to that. When done right a tattoo offers us the opportunity to test our physical limits in a safe and protected environment.”
“Getting into queer kink tattooing was a natural progression for me. This came from my growing confidence of my own sexual identity, and demanding space for acceptance and understanding. Because of this I have created a space where LGBT clients can come into a shop and feel comfortable to be 100% themselves throughout the experience. A lot of heteronormative clients don’t understand the stress and dilutions-of-self that queer clients go through. ‘Do I say boyfriend or partner? Is it a safe space?'”
“Queer sex still is still viewed as taboo; violence and rejection is a huge part of queer existence. Seeing that people have the confidence to wear what they were once ashamed of is exciting and opens fun conversations without judgement.”
“As an artist, it has made me push my drawing and ability to capture different positions and energy within an image. It’s always interesting to think how people can wear such an image, and how to play with ideas.”
“I’m not a gatekeeper in tattooing, but I also think that there’s something very fun about doing subversive tattoos in a world where actually being tattooed is no longer a subversive act. I like to be a part of that.”
“My name is German Ferreiroa AKA @gerfer_tattoo, I’m an Argentinian tattoo artist based in Dublin and co-owner of Secret Door Studio with my best friend Julie Midnight. My work is inspired by all gay subcultures, mostly leather and uniform men and, of course, I get specific requests and I do designs with whatever kinks or fantasies the custumer has.”
“At the end of the day what I love to do is to portray how beautiful the male body is in any way, shape and form.”
“I’m now known for my male genital tattoos [see below]. Something that not a lot of artists do. Alongside my tattoo career, I did a few different art projects including The Male Project and the Dick Pic Project, working with real models and self publishing six books. I’ve done different exhibitions in different studios and tattoo conventions around Europe and many more to come.”
“I created this because with all of the censorship that happens with vaginas and any sexual reference at all, I wanted it to be a confrontation to the viewer. And for them to simply enjoy it.”
Have you got any kink or BDSM tattoos? Or are you thinking about getting one? DM us on our Insta@thingsandink
About Things&Ink
Originally a printed tattoo magazine, Things&Ink is now a popular blog that takes an artistic approach to content. Our goal is to create work that utilises tattoo artists and people with interesting stories to share. This is a blog for artists, collectors, and those yet to go under the needle. As a reader, you will find out about new artists, products, and ideas that will enrich your tattooed lives. To stay up to date with our socials, check out the Things&Ink Instagram where we post frequently!
The tattoo community is full of horror enthusiasts – the genre captures the imagination of tattoo artists and clients alike. From gruesome characters from films and books – what could be more freaky than Chuckie covered in blood? – to figures like something from your worst nightmares. Our writer Emily Fletcher tracked down some horror tattoos collectors and the tattooists bringing these designs to life – settle in for a wild ride…
“My inspiration is horror movies, so I like to do tattoos with this theme. The shots from these movies are always contrasting and with well placed light. This I consider the main thing for my realistic tattoos. I achieve depth and volume in my work. Thus, mesmerise my clients and achieve positive emotions.”
“I’ve been a tattoo artist in London for 13 years. I grew up watching horror movies, probably too young, and also had some wild paranormal experiences – this world has been in my blood from day one. I really enjoy tattooing classic horror movie characters, such as Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Ghostface etc… I could tattoo these everyday for the rest of my life. I specifically love meeting clients who want to have these characters on them for life and so they are probably just as big a fan as I am. I’ll even pop one of the classic movies on while they are being tattooed for the full experience – that can be quite fun.”
“The last one is one of my custom designs. I’d love to do more of these. These ideas usually come from my research into demons and anything on the darker side. I love the beauty of 1920s models and faces that are quite vintage but of course with a demonic twist, the contrast of those two elements can be striking. The one I’ve shared is my own interpretation of the demon Lilith. I specifically work in black work and black & grey. I feel this works best for these style designs.”
“I enjoy creating horror designs because I grew up watching horror movies, they’re very comforting for me. It’s also good for me mentally, it helps me to cope with anger. Horror movie killers also often just have a really badass look, which I love to draw.”
“I started collecting these tattoos because I enjoy these horror films. I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. It was kind of a ‘just do it!’ thing! Beetlejuice, Shorty from Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Black Phillip from The Witch and Scream. All top films for me. My tattoos are all done by Alex at Muse in Palmyra NJ.”
“I’ve always been a big horror movie fan, and as I got older I knew I wanted horror inspired tattoos. These pieces are a lot more detailed than a lot of my other work, and I just love how they turned out. I get loads of compliments on them, especially the Goosebumps tattoo as it’s very nostalgic for a lot of people. All tattoos done by @emmajeantattoos“
“From the moment I first started getting tattoos I knew I wanted mainly horror related ones – I love the genre, but I’m also a horror film writer and director. First up is one I designed myself, from IT Chapter Two. I love taking less used imagery from horror films and translating it into art for my body, it makes the piece feel super unique!”
“Then we have my favourite slasher icon Ghostface, this is probably my favourite tattoo that I have. Finally my cat baby Pennywise, I’ve always loved tattooist Barbie’s cat babies but knew I wanted a horror twist for mine, and what was better to get than Pennywise, especially since my name is Georgie. All my tattoos are done by the wonderful @barbielongfox“
“I love doing horror-related tattoos because a lot of horror is creating the narrative potential of something scary that could happen. A lot of people who come in to get these tattoos have sort of created a vague backstory around what makes the tattoo they’re getting feel spooky to them and I’m really into hearing these stories!”
“I do black and grey horror realism and Illustrative tattoos, normally with splashes of red. I have always wanted to do horror and spooky tattoos and am so lucky to finally do so at this point in my career. I feel that unintentionally my favourite film and musical Sweeney Todd– The Demon Barber of Fleet Street influenced my work with it’s beautiful desaturated colour palette and bold red blood. Despite most of my pieces being solely black and grey, the use of red truly compliments the subject matter so well and I am grateful to be tattooing a genre that goes hand in hand with my artistic vision.”
Vegan tattoos? Yep it’s a thing. No idea where to start? Then our ultimate guide to vegan ink is for you. Given that both tattooing and veganism represent lifestyle commitments, it was just a matter of time before these two communities came together.
So, what are vegan tattoos? Vegan tattoos are essentially tattoos crafted using eco-conscious materials and methods, notably vegan ink. In contrast to conventional tattoo ink, vegan tattoo ink is entirely devoid of any animal-derived ingredients. In contrast, traditional tattoo ink is made using components extracted from animal fat, bones, or crushed beetles.
Okay, let’s dive in, here’s EYNTK about vegan tattoo ink…
Okay, so what exactly is vegan ink?
Vegan ink does not contain any ingredients derived from animals. Vegan inks use vegetable-based glycerin, witch hazel or ethanol and carbon or logwood to achieve a bold black colour. When it comes to coloured inks, what sets them apart is the liquid that companies use to mix with the powdered pigments. Vegan ink is sourced from plants or vegetables, making it a more environmentally friendly choice.
So what is traditional tattoo ink made of?
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk
Traditional tattoo inks usually consist of tiny solid pigment particles, molecular dyes, and binders all mixed together in water. However, that’s not all. As confirmed by PETA, traditional tattoo ink includes glycerin, shellac, gelatin or bone char. These are all ingredients derived from either animal fat, animal bones, or ground-up beetles. Others may contain beeswax, cod liver oil, or lanolin. These ingredients primarily serve the purpose of stabilising the ink and increasing pigmentation.
Is vegan tattoo ink safe?
While lacking scientific evidence, vegan tattoo ink is widely regarded as exceptionally safe on the skin.
Moreover, it’s often believed to have a lower likelihood of triggering allergic responses. People sporting vegan tattoos have reported enhanced colour consistency and greater longevity.
I got this tattoo back in 2021 from Carly Snow, a tattoo artist in Sheffield who used vegan ink. It’s been two years now, and my tattoo hasn’t really changed much quality wise. As you can see, using vegan tattoo ink doesn’t compromise the quality at all; the only distinction is that it’s a more ethical choice. I’m a vegetarian and passionate animal rights advocate, so I always strive to opt for the most ethical options available.
Asking vegan tattoo artists why they use vegan ink
I spoke to Harriet Hope, a vegan tattoo artist based in Brighton, UK, about why she uses vegan ink. She said:
“I choose vegan inks because there is no reason not to. Many of the popular brand inks such as Solid or Eternal are vegan, so it’s just as easy to choose vegan quality ink than anything else.
Why wouldn’t you want to limit suffering to animals when there is no loss of quality or convenience choosing vegan ink brands?”
“Well since I’m vegan myself I believe that animals are in this world with us and not for us.
The notion of exploiting them just because we can doesn’t sit well with me and doesn’t align with my morals.
When I went vegan 10 years ago I had to obviously bring my morals to my job as I thought it would be hypocritical otherwise.
Today the majority of mainstream ink brands label their products as vegan. So these inks aren’t something that you’ll only get from a vegan tattoo artist, as most people use the same ink without even knowing that they’re vegan.
So vegan ink is “traditional ink” in many cases. People were using inks free from animal products before the term ‘vegab’ came along.
Some brands still use animal products such as bone char, glycerine from animal fat, gelatine from hooves , insect parts and others but as the world progresses these brands that choose to not move with the times get left behind.
But it goes further than ink. When a tattoo artist says ‘vegan tattoos’ it means (or should mean) that all their supplies are free from animal products and cruelty free (not tested on animals) This goes for cleaning solutions, tattoo ointments, stencil papers, stencil applicators, skin preparation solutions, surface flooring and all cleaning products in general.”
No, vegan tattoos generally don’t come with a higher price tag. But, it really depends on the tattoo artist. Tattoo costs vary from one artist to another. Some base their charges on the time spent, some on the placement of the tattoo, and others may charge extra for their experience level. It’s subjective.
While a few artists might charge a bit extra for using vegan ink, usually, there are other factors that take priority when determining the final price.
Do vegan tattoos fade faster?
No, vegan tattoos do not fade faster. The longevity of tattoo ink isn’t affected by it being vegan or not. What truly counts for fading is the quality of the ingredients used and how you care for your tattoo afterwards.
Are vegan tattoos the future?
With the surge in veganism’s popularity and a growing shift towards progressive and eco-conscious values, the tattoo industry has undergone a transformation. Today, many tattoo studios and artists are embracing vegan-friendly practices and products that are both cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. As a result, the use of vegan ink is becoming increasingly mainstream within the tattooing community.
Vegan tattoo aftercare
If you’re all about that vegan life, that’ll include tattoo aftercare too. Make sure to keep an eye out for these ingredients when you’re on the hunt for vegan tattoo aftercare products.
Aloe butter
Calendula
Coconut oil
Lavender
Vitamin E
Peppermint
Rosemary oil extract
Shea butter
Sunflower, grapeseed and rice bran oils
Various essential oils and natural fragrances.
Vegan tattoo aftercare skips harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients, sparing your skin from irritation. Instead, it uses natural ingredients to soothe and speed up healing, reducing scabbing too.
How to find a vegan tattoo artist
To find a vegan tattoo artist, you can easily search for ‘vegan tattoo artist‘ on Instagram. Instagram is great for tattoo artists because it lets them showcase their work visually. If you can’t find a specific artist, searching for ‘vegan tattoo studio’ can introduce you to multiple vegan tattoo artists.
Usually, these artists or studios will mention their use of vegan ink in their social media bios. If not, you can send them a quick direct message (DM) to ask if they use vegan ink or have a vegan ink option available. It’s a simple way to make sure you’re getting a tattoo that aligns with your values.
Vegan tattoo ink brands
Are you a tattoo artist looking to switch to vegan ink? Check out these 5 brands that provide high-quality ethical tattoo ink.
Opting for a vegan tattoo is no different from getting one with conventional ink. If you’re interested in getting a vegan tattoo, explore the mentioned artists or search for one near you. If you can’t find a vegan tattoo artist nearby, keep an eye out for upcoming tattoo conventions where you’ll likely find talented vegan artists!
About the author – Emily Fletcher
“In 2022, I received my BA (Hons) in English Literature. Currently, I work as an SEO Executive at a digital marketing agency in Sheffield, while also freelance writing in my spare time. I have always loved writing, and I thoroughly enjoy delving into people’s opinions, dissecting the significance behind topics, and discussing unconventional subjects. I find great fulfilment in challenging people’s thoughts. My aim is for readers to gain fresh insights and learn something new from my writings.
On my 18th birthday, my parents gave me money for my first tattoo. My dad sat with me for the whole three hours with a Lucozade orange on hand. Since my first tattoo, I haven’t stopped, nor intend to just yet. To me, tattoos are like a permanent piecing of clothing. How you express yourself in your dress sense, I express myself through my tattoos. They make me feel confident and happy when I look in the mirror. I love finding new artists, new styles, though I stick to American Traditional, I love treating my body like a personal diary. My favourite tattoo is my first arm piece done by Sheffield based tattoo artist Earl Reyn, a red dragon as seen below. Though I get a lot of compliments on my tattoos wherever I go, this one in particular strikes people’s attention.”
