What is Pre-Dispersed Pigment?

   Pre-dispersed Pigment (from now on, “PDP”) refers to pigments that are mixed into solution at the chemical factory as opposed to  Dry Powdered Pigments (DPP), which are either mixed by the tattoo supply house or the tattoo artists themselves.

   DPP inks are generally considered the safest, mainly because the ingredients are simple, non-toxic and found in many foods and cosmetic products.

   This is not to say pre-dispersed pigments are dangerous.  There are differences in the way PDPs behave in the bottle and how they look in the skin, which is part of what I’ll explain.

   Generally DPP, when tattooed properly, looks like it’s in the skin, part of the skin. There is not much difference in texture between the tattoo and the surrounding skin. Often the outline may have a slight texture, even when applied properly.  Powder is usually mixed in much the same way as the ink recipe on this site. Some sort of alcohol, witch hazel or purified water as the carrier.  A little glycerin and or glycol is added to lower surface tension and help the pigment stay in suspension. Eventually, even in the best powdered inks, the pigment will settle to the bottom leaving liquid on top.

   PDP’s biggest difference is in what the chemical company uses to keep the pigment in suspension. In the case of pigments used in tattooing, the majority of the liquid is purified water. The other ingredients, the Surfactants, are protected by non-disclosure agreements, so the information is not open for dissemination.

   To the eye, PDP looks very bright, but on close inspection of the tattoo, especially on tender (inside arm) skin, you will notice that the skin’s texture is a little smoother and sometimes a little raised. If you grab the tattoo and roll the skin between the thumb and forefinger, you will often be able to feel what seems like a solid under the skin.  PDP will never separate from the solution. I have 10 year old bottles of the stuff and they are consistent from bottom to top.

   Again, this is not to say they are dangerous, just that they seem a little unnatural to some of us.  There have been rumors of people getting sick shortly after getting large tattoos with PDP, but none are documented, the incidences are very rare, and the chemicals that could cause it are rapidly rejected or absorbed and eliminated from the body (2-5 days) The only leftover chemical in the skin is pigment, no water, no glycerides.

   Surfactants used with pigments are likely the ones used in mild detergents, and are referred to as either:

  Other surfactants also exist, most notably polymers and oils, but these rarely make their way into our market.

  Some of the PDPs may contain polyethylene glycols and acrylic resin, but again, I believe this to be rare so far, as no-one is reporting peeling ink in a skin off of their bottles.

  I have provided links to the chemicals involved in the dispersion process very soon.  Please do not think all of these chemicals are in pre-dispersed pigments.  Some of these chemicals are quite harsh and only used in soaps and paints.

Too see the lists, CLICK HERE

   Usually when you look at the MSDS for most surfactants, there is a reference that they are harmful to fish, invertebrates and algae.  Do not be alarmed.  Anything that changes how water behaves to particles placed in it may interfere with animals and plants that depend on water for respiration. It's not giving them cancer, it makes the water too slippery for proper gas exchange.

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