It stays colorful on the skin

Created: 03/08/2022, 18:00

"I have absolutely no understanding of this decision," says Mike Nebel, owner of the "Schattenkunst" studio in Forstern, about the ban on a number of tattoo colors.

© Johannes Dziemballa

Many tattoo colors have been banned since the beginning of the year.

There is a lack of understanding among the tattoo artists in the district, but they do not fear the end of colored motifs.

Forstern/Erding/Taufkirchen

– Since the beginning of the year, tattoo artists have had to do without some tried-and-tested color types.

The reason for this is the so-called REACH regulation of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

It bans ingredients that are contained in a number of tattoo colors.

There is a lack of understanding among tattoo artists in the district.

"I have absolutely no understanding for this decision, because in my 16-year career as a tattoo artist I never noticed that the colors had ever caused diseases or other negative consequences," explains Mike Nebel, Managing Director of the "Schattenkunst" studio in Forstern.

“In general, it is not bad to prioritize consumer protection interests.

However, it didn't make sense to wake up this sleeping dog," says Nebel.

He explains the main problem: "Since 2008 there has been a precise specification of which substances may and may not be contained in European paints."

However, there are more and more black tattoo artists: "Meanwhile in urban areas there are five amateurs for every professional who buy their tools - such as needles, machines or even the colors - on the Internet." Most of them are cheap imports from China, for example, and therefore also from not checked for compatibility by any authority.

He further explains: “I am firmly convinced that the EU must start at this point and completely rule out or ban the black market.

If we stick harmful substances under the skin, it would be noticed within three days and thus ruin the reputation of our industry," explains the tattoo artist.

Nevertheless, there is no reason to fear that colored tattoos will no longer be possible in the future: "Even if there were and sometimes still are delivery bottlenecks, the manufacturers have retrofitted and brought almost all colors onto the market without the recently banned ingredients," explains Max Deutinger, owner of "Maximus Tattoo" in Erding.

"Four to five major manufacturers have already changed their offerings."

Nevertheless, there is a problem that is unlikely to go away: "The new colors are more expensive, and this price increase ultimately has to be passed on to the end customer."

However, both Nebel and Deutinger emphasize that they have not reported any loss of sales despite the changed regulation.

Sonja Schott, owner of the "Lovely Ink Tattoo & Piercing" studio in Taufkirchen, explains: "Normally, the proportion of color tattoos is around 50 percent." However, she obtains her colors exclusively from German manufacturers who have not yet retrofitted.

Nevertheless, Schott does not have to fear a 50 percent drop in sales: "There are also some customers who originally wanted a colored tattoo and are now getting a black and white tattoo because of the limited color options," explains Schott.

Nevertheless, she expects sales to drop by around 20 percent.

However, there is certainly hope that there will soon be colored engravings again in "Lovely Ink" - the German manufacturers would gradually convert.

Overall, all of the tattoo artists surveyed emphasize that nobody who got a tattoo before the EU regulation came into force needs to worry.

After all, these colors would have stood the test of time over many years.

Benedict