When tattoo ink has expired, whether it’s dirty, split, or just past its expiration date, applying it to the skin can have serious consequences. In addition to the expiration date, there are other factors such as improper storage, bacterial contamination, and the related age of the ink. Although the tattoo ink itself does not have an expiration date, you will find that some ink components are susceptible to contamination, especially after opening.

Tattoo ink can expire. Tattoo ink normally does so after about a year within being opened. The ink becomes contaminated by bacteria, and the pigments within can degrade. So even if the ink remains abiotic, it will still remain unsuitable for use in tattoo work.

Ink contaminated with bacteria can cause a bacterial infection on the skin where the tattoo is located. Contaminated or expired ink can cause bacterial skin infections with tattoos. Once you allow it to become infected, the bacterium will begin to grow, causing an infection when you insert it into the skin with a needle.

Therefore, even if the ink is not contaminated, but you suspect that it is, you should not store it any longer. The problem with liquid ink is that it evaporates after a while. However, like improperly stored products, ink can deteriorate before its expiration date.

Ink Can Be Contaminated and Should Be Discarded

So when the expiration date has passed, you should still throw away the ink, even if it doesn’t look dirty or expired. So, if you don’t want to risk it, you shouldn’t wait for the signs and throw away the ink when it expires or if you suspect ink contamination.

If the tattoo parlor uses ink that doesn’t have an expiration date, it’s best not to use it. This often gives tattoo artists plenty of time to use up the ink before the deadline, and you’ll find that many tattoo artists run out of ink well before the two years are up.

The “shelf life” of tattoo ink is usually around two years, and most tattoo studios use the more common colors before their expiration date. However, if you don’t tattoo often or use a lot of colored ink, you may find that some colored inks are still there after the two-year expiration date.

The shelf life of tattoo ink is usually around two years, but can be as short as three months, depending on the manufacturer, ink container, and ink composition. If properly packaged and stored, ink cartridges typically last two to three years.

The packaging materials used to protect the ink cartridges have a shelf life of at least 18 months from the date of manufacture and shipment. However, many major cartridge manufacturers do not list expiration dates on their cartridges. Most manufacturers set an expiration date of 2 years…but by then many tattoo parlors will run out of ink.

Most Inks Have Listed Expiration Dates

Some manufacturers state that the ink must be used within a certain period of time after the first opening. However, they have a certain expiration date, even before it crosses the ink could become dirty, evaporate or exfoliate. If they don’t have a clean, tidy space and tools to sterilize, the ink runs the risk of getting dirty.

Therefore, it is important to always test your ink before using it for a tattoo. If you are planning to get a tattoo, you will need to check with your tattoo artist and also make sure that the ink is stored properly, as this can also affect the expiration date of the ink.

It is also important to note that tattoo needles should only be used once, especially when tattooing different people. If you have expired tattoo needles, it’s not worth putting your business or the safety of your customers at risk by using them – just throw them in the trash.

If you’re concerned, have your tattoo artist check the expiration date before getting your tattoo, or have them buy new ink for your tattoo (remember, they may charge extra if their regular ink is still available). This is by far the worst side effect of using expired ink, so tattooists shouldn’t risk using old ink. A serious and inevitable side effect of using old ink is darkening of the tattoo effect.

Expired Ink Is Not Suitable for Tattoos

Small problems with faded, dull colors or poor tattoo results due to the use of liquid, expired ink. But outdated and old ink can make your tattoo faded and unappealing. Never use tattoo ink that has been contaminated or expired – consequences include severe bacterial infection and permanent scarring.

However, the use of contaminated tattoo ink can lead to other life-changing health problems such as non-tuberculous mycobacteria, hepatitis and tetanus. Tattoo artists who use more alcohol or water to distill the ink increase the chance of contamination.

Unsanitary conditions in tattoo parlors can contaminate ink bottles, and unsafe manufacturing processes allow bacteria to survive in the ink. The FDA warns that tattoo inks and pigments used for coloring may be contaminated with bacteria and mold.

Expired tattoo ink may contain bacteria that can cause a serious infection that can lead to scarring or sprains at the tattoo site. If you use an expired needle to tattoo your client, you run the risk of contracting a virus or bacteria and getting sick as a result. Using expired unprinted ink is a risk because the container has an expiration date. Although the ink itself may not have deteriorated, it may still be in a container.

Predicting the Expiration Date of Supect Inks

If an ink bottle is left unopened, the shelf life can be over 12 months, with one manufacturer claiming that its unopened ink can last up to three years. You can replace the cartridge with a new one and spend the remaining ink in the old one.

If the ink is new, unsealed, etc. just expired, maybe a little more, but if the ink had been opened and used intermittently for a couple of years, I would empty it. Again, I personally wouldn’t use it. Depending on the skill of the tattoo artist and the ink used, it will take from 6 months to 6-10 years for the tattoo to disappear so that it is not visible.

Eternal Ink comes in a sealed, medical grade bottle for durability before and after opening. This is done so that the tattoo can be done without the risk for the client to contract viruses such as hepatitis, HIV or MRSA.