Tattoos last a lifetime. To keep their colors vibrant for as long as that, maintenance is possible. Without care for tattooed skin, a tattoo may fade and lose its colors. In its tattoo tare concept, now the specialty chemicals company Evonik offers seven formulation solutions based on its own raw materials to protect and nurture the skin before and after tattooing. Obviously the Germany headquartered company identified a relevant market.
Every fifth American now has a tattoo, as do about 60 million Europeans, and this colorful body decoration is becoming increasingly popular. In tattooing, color pigments are inserted under the dermis, the second layer of the skin. However, the uppermost skin layer, the epidermis, is also stressed in the process. “If the skin is properly prepared and appropriately conditioned after tattooing, it can recover fast,” says Tammo Boinowitz, head of Evonik’s Personal Care Business Line.
Very few personal-care products are currently available specifically for tattooed skin. Evonik has now developed sample formulations for seven personal care products. These nurture the skin before and after the tattooing process so that the tattoo looks good over the long term and there are no unpleasant after-effects, according to the company. The formulations contain active ingredients as well as mild surfactants, emollients, and emulsifiers, all of which are also made for use in other cosmetics.
One example of such a formulation is Tattoo Preparatory Lotion, intended to moisturize the skin adequately before tattooing. The active ingredients tauten the skin, stimulate regeneration of the epidermis, and ensure a pleasant, non-oily skin feel. To prevent the colors from fading, the products offer protection against UV radiation.
Hopefully the company researches about tatoo colors in a next step. As there are some hazardous substances that get under the skin the demand for research is at least as important.