Are Tattoos Vegan?
Not an everyday question, but quite an important one: are tattoos vegan?
Unfortunately, animal products continue to sneak into the most unlikely of places. Tattoos can be difficult for vegans as some tattoo inks are made with animal products such as glycerin from animal fat and shellac from crushed beetles. Additionally, some products used during the process or for aftercare treatment may not be vegan and cruelty-free.
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Finding Vegan Friendly Tattoo Studios
You can do a quick google to see if there’s a vegan-friendly tattoo studio in your area, eg ‘Vegan Tattoo Liverpool’ – fingers crossed you get a result or two! Otherwise, Vegan Tattoo Studios can connect you to vegan tattooists in your area.
Information online can always be outdated or incorrect though, so be sure to let them know when you get in contact that you’re looking for a vegan tattoo.
How can you tell if the ink is vegan?
Plenty of tattoo studios are pretty clued up on what’s vegan these days. Be sure to tell them that you’re vegan and then ask whether or not they can cater for you. If they aren’t sure, you can ask what ink they use, then double-check it’s vegan with a quick google search.
As an extra resource, Vegan Tattoo Studios have a big list of vegan-friendly tattoo ink brands.
Aftercare
After getting a tattoo, you’ll be wanting to wash the area with fragrance free products and look after the area with an aftercare balm. Here are a few vegan and cruelty free options you might consider buying…
Wash
- Konjac Tattoo Sponge – to gently cleanse your newly tattooed area without causing any irritation or damage
- Green People Scent Free Shower/Bath Gel – An ultra-gentle bath and shower gel, soothing for sensitive skin
- Faith In Nature Fragrance Free Body Wash – I’m a big fan of this hypoallergenic body wash, it also has a biodegradable formula and uses sustainably sourced palm oil
- Faith In Nature Fragrance Free Soap – a super gentle soap suitable for the most sensitive skin, also made with a biodegradable formula and uses sustainably sourced palm oil
- Alternative by Suma – Fragrance Free Aloe Vera Soap – free from fragrance, palm oil and SLS this soap is gentle enough to use on recently tattooed skin
Care
- Childs Farm Nappy Cream – many swear by nappy care products for protecting their tattoos, so opt for this fragrance-free vegan cream from Childs Farm.
- Green People Organic Softening Baby Lotion – an organic, scent free lotion suitable for super-sensitive skin
- Coconut King Tattoo Aftercare Balm – a professional tattoo cream to help your tattoo heal
- Eco Cosmetics Tattoo Body Lotion – A quick absorbing Tattoo Body Lotion for all skin types, including sensitive skin
- Eco Cosmetics Tattoo Sun Lotion Spf 30 – formulated to protect your skin and preserve the colour of your tattoo – includes UVA and UVB protection and is reef friendly!
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