Found out today through actually downloading and reading the Kuro Sumi MSDS (safety data sheets) that the tattoo ink that I was taught was the best -- and always read was "non toxic", vegan, and cruelty free, uses pigments that are carcinogenic, some which are derived from petroleum. This problem is not, unfortunately, specific to this brand (this brand is still better than most, which is... sad).

So this week I'll be beginning my foray into inkmaking because I cannot, in good conscience, insert known carcinogens into the bodies of people who are unaware of the risks.

Anyone on the books in the next few weeks is being notified, so that they can make their own decision about whether or not they'd like to wait to be tattooed until I can make satisfactory ink (which could potentially take a while) or if they're willing to take the risk of being tattooed with commercially produced inks.

I think at this point I've decided that I can't probably ever walk into a regular tattoo shop again and get tattooed, having learned all that I've learned this past year.

#Sustainability #SustainableTattooing #Tattooing #Siin