Think about this ..... You won't know you have a peanut allergy until you eat a peanut !!!! .... therefore you won't know if you're allergic to any product that you may come in contact with or have placed into your skin, by then it may be too late and your tattoo will have problems as will you.
Any reputable tattoo studio will, or should, offer you the chance of a "spot test" with the inks or products that they will be using on you. JJ.inc' make "spot tests" freely available to any client that is wanting a tattoo. Allergy "spot tests" involve nothing more than placing the inks either on, or a most will recommend just under the skin. A fine needle is used to place a tiny dot of the ink into the skin, or a cotton bud is used to place a small amount onto the skin and covered with cling film. The effects can happen almost instantly however we recommend that a "spot test" takes place at least 48 hours before getting your tattoo.
Be aware of the fact that allergies are developed, you may become allergic to something you've never had an issue with with at any stage of your life, so simply ask for the test, it's free and for your benefit. Allergies and infection can have similar effects although have different causes. Have a chat with your chosen Artist/Piercer, more often than not our experience and early advice helps more than anyone expects.
Tattoo inks may contain several natural and synthetic, ingredients and chemicals to which anyone may form an allergy.
Ask your Artist about the inks being used. Natural or synthetic, an allergy to any of these substances can cause a reaction once the ink gets into your skin. Red tattoo ink is the most common cause of tattoo allergic reactions, although any color can be to blame.
A tattoo allergy can take a number of different forms:
Acute inflammatory allergic reaction. Many people who get tattoos experience what's called an acute inflammatory reaction — the skin becomes red, slightly swollen, and irritated at the site of the tattoo. This occurs because of the irritation caused by the tattoo needle and the tattoo ink. It's not serious, and generally subsides within about two or three weeks.
Photosensitivity. Tattoos that are exposed to the sun may result in an allergic reaction, particularly those that contain yellow tattoo ink. Yellow and some red pigments contain cadmium sulfide, which can cause an allergic reaction when exposed to the sun.
Dermatitis. Some of the most common tattoo allergies include types of dermatitis — photoallergic and allergic contact dermatitis. Most often, these types of allergic reactions are caused by mercury sulfide, which is found in red tattoo ink.
Lichenoid allergic reaction. This is rare, but is typically related to red tattoo ink, and characterized by small bumps that appear around the red ink areas.
Granulomas. These are small bumps that can appear as a result of an allergic reaction. Red tattoo ink is most often the culprit, but purple, green, or blue tattoo ink may also cause these bumps to form around the site of the tattoo.
The signs vary depending on the type of allergic reaction and the ingredient in the tattoo ink that's causing it. Common signs of an allergic reaction to a tattoo include:
Swelling
Redness
Rash or bumps
Flaking
Scaly appearance
Purple or red nodules around the tattoo