Tattoo Education: Ink

Unlike today's tattoo ink that contain FDA approved ingredients, tattoo ink in the past were made by the tattoo artist. Take the South Seas style of tattooing for example. Samoans used Candle Nut as the basis for their pigment. The Candle Nut would be burnt under a halve coconut shell. Once that is done, the soot would be collected and mixed with sugar water. It has been said that this mixture contains healing properties.

There you have it. A real simple way of making tattoo ink that would last a lifetime!


(If you would like to contribute to this weekly column, do email Noel at ink@noelboyd.com.)