Tattoo and PMU ink, pigment, colorant: what's the difference?
How ink differs from pigment, colorant and dye in PMU and tattooing, and what research has found in inks: 147 pigments and 160 other ingredients.
Why shouldn't permanent makeup (PMU) artists say "pigment composition"? Why do you need to know the difference between a colorant and an ink? It all comes down to context and how different terms are defined.
Ink, pigment and colorant are not synonyms. Each of these substances has its own distinctive properties, and we will go through them in detail in this article!
First, what is a pigment? This is the word PMU artists use most often
A pigment is a finely dispersed powdered substance made up of particles. It is particles, not atoms or molecules, that form its basis.
Pigments are a component of PMU and tattoo inks!
An ink is a finished product with a "complex recipe". Besides the powdered pigment, it contains additional components. According to scientific studies, 147 pigment substances have already been found in tattoo and PMU inks!
On top of that, ink formulations include 160 additional substances that are not pigments. These may be solvents, fillers, preservatives and other additives.
Got it, but where does the colorant come in?
In the context of permanent makeup, colorant is the general name for pigments and dyes. It refers to any coloured substance used to colour something.
You will also come across the term "dye". This is the name for a soluble compound that loses its structure when it interacts with a substance and colours it.
Which colour will an Nd:YAG laser remove?
Pick a pigment colour — an Nd:YAG laser has only two wavelengths: 1064 and 532 nm.
A simplified scheme based on the article on which colours an Nd:YAG laser can remove.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pigment and ink in PMU?
A pigment is a finely dispersed powdered substance made up of particles, while an ink is a finished product that contains the pigment plus additional components. Studies have found 147 pigment substances and 160 additional non-pigment substances, such as solvents, fillers and preservatives, in tattoo and PMU inks.
What is a colorant in permanent makeup?
In PMU, colorant is the general name for pigments and dyes: any coloured substance used to colour something. A dye is a soluble compound that loses its structure when it interacts with a substance and colours it.
