People sometimes wish to combine the ashes from a loved one human or animal added to the ink of a tattoo.
This is called a ritual or commemorative tattoo; it is a way that loved one can be part of the tattoo.
Due to the intense heat used during cremation, virtually all bacteria are destroyed. However, it may be difficult to guarantee that tools and containers are 100% sterile when in contact with the ashes. If containers are opened, they may come into contact with dust particles and or bacteria.
Specialist training is undertaken to ensure adding ashes to ink is a sterile procedure.
Some studios may choose to add some ash to the ink but is worth knowing the ash doesn’t dissolve into the pigment, the ash may clog the needle as the particle size is bigger, this may affect the healed result and make the tattoo process a little longer and trickier. The healed tattoo is likely not to have much or any of the ashes remaining.
There are a few companies who have lab equipment who provide the service of adding ashes to tattoo ink. They ensure this process is 100% sterile.
The ashes are infused with the pigment, making sure there is a match in the molecular sizes of both the pigment and the ashes. This gives the ashes a complete infusion within the tattoo ink.
This is then processed via liquid sterilisation; they generally need a tablespoon worth of cremated remains so they will send you back what they don’t use.
You can then take the unopened bottle of pigment to an artist to get a tattoo done.
Here at Origin, we do not add anything to our tattoo pigments. There have been no scientific studies to suggest this is 100% safe and therefore our insurance provider will not cover this service.