The Vegan Tattoo Trend You’ll Love

Vegan Tattoo Ink

Many tattoo inks these days are vegan, but not all brands are. According to PETA, some inks may contain glycerin, bone char, gelatin, or shellac. These are all ingredients derived from animal fat, animal bones, or ground-up beetles.

What makes tattoos not vegan?

Although many good quality inks are now vegan-friendly, some inks still contain ingredients that are animal-derived. Glycerine derived from animal fats is often used as a stabilizer, sometimes alongside gelatine, and bone char can be found in black inks to provide an increased pigment.

The main issue, however, stems from the equipment and aftercare products used within the tattoo process, with stencil papers often made with lanolin, the substance derived from a sheep’s wool.

Many recommended aftercare products, and even disposable razors provided by the tattoos studio also aren’t vegan, as animal-derived glycerine can be found in razor strips and aftercare soaps.

Meanwhile, balms often contain lanolin or beeswax. The good news, however, is that there are plenty of vegan-friendly alternatives, that are affordable and easily accessible.

Vegan tattoo artists and studios

Luckily, more and more vegan tattoo artists and studios are popping up not only around the country but around the world.

There are a number of vegan-friendly studios that ensure everything from the inks to the hand sanitizer is vegan and cruelty-free, making your tattoos a lot less stressful.

Cute Vegan Tattoos

1. Hey Little Piggy

2. Choose Compassion

3. Simply Vegan

4. Happy Cow