Red Tattoo: Everything You Need to Know (30+ Cool Design Ideas)

Red tattoos are infamous for many reasons. From the controversial red ink to the eternal itch of red tattoos, they seem to be causing a lot of problems. However, people still love them because they make every tattoo design unique and stand out. However, do the pros really outweigh the cons in the case of red tattoos?

In the following paragraphs, we will discuss everything you need to know about red tattoos; from red ink and potential problems to the best red tattoos. So, without further ado, let's get started!

Red tattoos and red flags: ink and other issues

What is the problem with red ink?

Red ink is controversial in the tattoo community for many reasons. Let's first discuss the actual ingredients used in red ink.

It's fair to say that most tattoo artists don't know what's in the ink they use because tattoo inks aren't FDA approved or standardized. It is also well known that tattoo ink contains many toxic and harmful compounds such as heavy metals. And red ink may just be representative in terms of toxicity and potentially harmful ingredients.

The ingredients that contain standard red ink are as follows:

• Aluminum
• Cinnabar
• Cadmium
• Chromium
• Cobalt
• iron oxide
• Naphthol-AS pigment
• gelatin for hooves
• Toxic pigment carriers such as denatured alcohols and formaldehyde.

Of course, this is not a complete or accurate list of red ink ingredients. There are so many other toxic ingredients in red ink, including ethylene glycol (also known as antifreeze), rubbing alcohol, and many animal ingredients such as tallow glycerine, cod liver oil, or beeswax.

As you can imagine, there is a reason why tattoo artists avoid red ink. The ingredients found in red ink can directly cause severe ink allergies and infections, as well as long-term health problems such as skin hypersensitivity, tattoo burning and scarring, skin rashes, and even cancer.

The ingredients found in red ink are on the EPA's list of common causes of allergic reactions, infections, and cancer, which is a red flag in itself.

And then there's the problem of the potential, eternal itch of red tattoos. Now all tattoos itch when new and heal. Itching is part of the proper healing process, which can be managed with a variety of lotions and ointments. It doesn't last long and it's pretty easy to deal with.

However, red ink tattoos tend to itch long after the tattoo has fully healed. Some people experience itching years after getting a tattoo. This is because the body simply never gets used to the ingredients of the ink, and the skin develops a special sensitivity to the red tattoo.

The reason red ink can be potentially dangerous is not just because it contains such harmful ingredients. The problem lies in the ability of red ink to stay on the skin longer than any other ink. Red ink is incredibly difficult to remove; for example, if you go for laser tattoo removal, you can expect twice as many sessions for a red tattoo than, say, a black tattoo.

This is why red ink is more likely to cause allergic reactions and skin sensitivity long after the tattoo has healed. The body simply never gets used to it, and as a result suffers from immune system deficiencies that could potentially lead to cancer. The red ink begins to circulate in the bloodstream throughout the body and never stops.

How to deal with red ink tattoos?

Because red ink is more likely to cause an allergic reaction and infection than any other ink, it's important to know how to deal with it if you want to get a red tattoo.

• To minimize the chance of an allergic reaction, we recommend that you get an allergy test from an allergist before getting a red tattoo. The test will show a list of ingredients that can potentially cause an allergic reaction in your body.

• Then be sure get a tattoo only in a highly professional, high-quality tattoo studio. Most likely, high-end tattoo artists will use red ink that has been tested for toxic elements and other harmful ingredients.

• Try make a colorful tattoo, which contains other colors of ink along with red ink. You will minimize the chance of an allergic reaction or permanent itching after the tattoo has healed.

• Avoid wearing scratchy fabricslike wool. Such fabrics can cause the tattoo to itch and even cause rashes and itchy pimples. Some people experience allergic reactions to wool, so they should especially avoid these fabrics.

• Required moisturize tattoo even after complete healing. Moisturizing with lotions and ointments will help manage itching and rashes, so be sure to include this in your tattoo care even after it has healed.

• If you notice swelling, redness, soreness, and discharge from your new red tattoo, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You are most likely dealing with an allergic reaction or infection that needs to be treated professionally.

Cool Red Tattoo Design Ideas

If you are comfortable enough to get a red tattoo and the above information does not scare you, then you should check out our best red tattoo design ideas. The following tattoos are for inspiration only and should not be used or copied for your tattoo. You don't want to steal someone else's work.

Red Dragon Tattoo

The red dragon tattoo is often inspired by the illustrations and tattoo styles of the Far East. Tattoos tend to have an oriental vibe and are mostly associated with Japanese and Chinese tattoo styles and illustrations. A red dragon tattoo can be done with a red shape outline only, or can be completely filled in with red ink and styled using hatching and lining.

Red butterfly tattoo

If you're looking for a simpler, minimalist design, we recommend getting a cute, subtle yet highly effective red butterfly tattoo. A common design idea is to place several smaller butterflies scattered around a medium sized area on the body for the best effect. However, you can also get a single butterfly design, big or small, if you want to be discreet. In any case, butterflies are always a good design choice, no matter the color of the ink.

Red Snake Tattoo

Another fierce red ink tattoo design is the snake design. It seems to work best with red ink, as does the dragon design. Red snake tattoos always look bold and powerful, even if the tattoo is small and subtle. Just like the dragon design, red snake tattoos can be done with a simple red outline or can be filled in with red ink for an even bolder effect.

Red Rose Tattoo

One of the best, simply timeless tattoo designs is the red rose. For decades, the red rose has been a staple in the tattoo world. The symbolism of the red rose can be used for various designs, ideas and stories that people try to convey with their tattoos. So, if you are not sure which tattoo design to choose, we tell you that you can't go wrong with a simple red rose.

Other Interesting Red Tattoos

If none of the above designs match your preferences, don't worry. There are many unique and interesting red tattoo designs to inspire you. From small to large designs, from serious to whimsical, there is something for everyone.

Red Tattoo: More FAQs

Can I get a red tattoo if I have a dark skin tone?

Indeed, some ink colors are not recommended for darker skin tones. However, there is no rule that says that red ink does not look red on darker skin. Of course, shades of red can vary depending on the skin tone. But colored inks will show up on dark skin, but results may vary.

Professional tattoo artists know how to take into account skin tone when choosing ink colors. This is the best approach for the best results. For example, a tattoo artist wouldn't use bright red on darker skin as it wouldn't look good. Instead, they adapt the red tone and use earth tones, deep rich reds, or salmon/peach pink to create the best combination of skin tone and ink color.

Do red tattoos disappear (faster)?

Compared to darker ink colors such as black or navy blue, red ink tends to fade much faster. However, yellow and orange inks fade even faster, especially on pale skin. Red ink usually tends to lose its original brightness and intensity, but fading of course depends on the location of the tattoo, how well you care for it, and whether it's exposed to UV rays or abrasion.

Is red ink more expensive?

No, red ink is not more expensive than other inks. The color of the ink does not determine the final cost of the tattoo. However, the fact that you are going for a colored tattoo can of course add to the overall cost of the tattoo. So, what you have to consider in regards to the cost of a tattoo is the size, design, placement and use of colored inks, as well as the tattoo artist and his work.

Is red tattoo ink dangerous?

As we mentioned, red ink has been proven to contain ingredients such as toxic elements and heavy metals that are directly related to ink allergies, tattoo infections, skin hypersensitivity, swelling, redness, itching, and unfortunately cancer. Milder symptoms can be treated with antibiotics and steroid creams, while severe ink reactions require immediate medical attention.

Final thoughts

Red tattoos are quite controversial due to the many issues with red ink. If you want to get a red tattoo, we strongly recommend that you get it done by a highly qualified professional tattoo artist. Such an artist is more likely to use higher quality inks that have been tested for toxic and harmful ingredients. Also, before getting a tattoo, take an allergy test to find out what can cause an allergic reaction and whether the ink can cause it.