Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Does Anyone Know If Tatoo Ink Is Gluten Free ?

rlemmon

By rlemmon
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

rlemmon Apprentice
rlemmon
Posted

I am thinking abnout getting one. Anyone know if the is gluten in the ink ? I googled it but nothing came up.

thanks

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


penguin Community Regular
penguin
Posted

Unless you're allergic to wheat on your skin (ie: allergist skin scratch testing), it shouldn't matter.

When you get a tattoo, the metal-based ink goes between the layers of skin and stays there. Even if the ink did have gluten, and somehow made it into your bloodstream, you shouldn't have any ill effects. Gluten actually has to be ingested for a celiac to have a gluten reaction (I know there are people that have other reactions to gluten on their skin or wherever, but to have a celiac reaction, you have to ingest it. It has to get to your intestines)

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

I know a lot about tattoos because when I was 13, I worked in a tattoo shop everyday afterschool, babysitting the owner's son. It was a strange work situation, but I learned A LOT about tatooing and piercing. I got my own tattoo from that same lady when I was 17. Here are things to look for:

-Make sure they use an autoclave to sterilize the tattoo guns and other metal equipment. They should never reuse needles, make sure you see new, sterile ones come out of the package.

-Ask to see photos of the artist's work, and make sure they are licensed and experienced. Often, they will have done tattoos on themselves or others in the shop, ask to see these. If the tattoo was done poorly, (ie: too deep or too shallow) time will show that. Tats that are lighter in color than they should be were too shallow, ones in which the color bleeds (ie: starts looking fuzzy and like a bruise) the color was too deep. Ask for reccomendations, and look them up at the better business bureau.

-Don't make a rash decision, this will be on your body FOREVER! Also, tats require mantinence to stay looking good! Sun will damage the look of a tattoo, so always use sunscreen, at least on your tattoo (though you should everywhere). You will probably need to have the tat touched up, because time and sun tend to fade tattoos, in 5-10 years.

-Tats near bones (like ankle or hip) hurt the most to have done. On the back also hurts a lot, because you have major nerves under the skin. Obviously sensitive places like the inside of your elbow or the inside of your list hurt a lot as well. Outlining in black hurts more than filling in with color, though it's not that bad. Never drink or take asprin or ibuprofin before getting a tat, shops can't legally ink you if you've been drinking, and both alcohol and asprin and ibuprofin will make you bleed more. Not to mention being chemically altered before permanantly altering your body is stupid. Tylenol 30 mins to an hour before getting your tattoo will help it not hurt as much and will not make you bleed more.

-Different shops say different things about aftercare, but in the shop I worked in you bandage it for a few hours and keep it moist with triple antibiotic ointment (none of those expensive aftercare lotions at the shop). It's important to keep your healing tattoo from drying out, because it can make the color uneven and gross looking.

-Finally, women who plan on ever having kids should not get tats on their hip or anywhere on their stomach or lower breast. Cute as the butterfly on your hip may be at 22, once you have kids it's going to turn into a technicolor bruise.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions!

Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

hubby that has 47 tats, says that tattoo ink is just pigment usually chemically engineered to be closest to properties of skin pigment, and that there is no reason for gluten to be in it. That it is more chemical than anything.

I have a huge dragon tat on my back that wasn't done that well and is starting to look bad... I've been considering having it redone.

Canadian Karen Community Regular
Canadian Karen
Posted

It's good to know that it's safe. I have toyed with the idea for a few years now of getting a Claddagh ring tatooed around my ankle.... or perhaps on the small of my back. But I keep chickening out.......

I'm such a wuss........ <_<

Hugs.

Karen

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

Ha Karen--me too--I would be petrified to get a tatoo! But then again, I scare easily :ph34r:

Rusla Enthusiast
Rusla
Posted

I have drawn up an ice dragon holding a pent that I want to have done on my leg but that would hurt too much. So I may have it done on my hip when I shrink more.

pinkpei77 Contributor
pinkpei77
Posted

my fiance is a tattoo artist and said he doesnt see how they could have any gluten in them and the general public wont be able to get ingriedient lists from companies but he can because hes liscensed so hes going to work on finding out.

but like someone else said it wouldnt be digested anyways,

and for those of you thinking about it.. just do it!!!

im completly sleeved and have my feet , calves , chest and back done and they were all completly worth it.

you feel so amazing once youve done it!

and as far as pain goes , i dont think they hurt at all.. just some are more annoying.. sort of like a little sunburn.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


penguin Community Regular
penguin
Posted

Mine is a tribal swirly design thingy with a blue butterfly over it on the small of my back. It's clearly an "I was 17" tattoo, and I think I would hate it if I didn't need whiplash and a full length mirror to see it :P

Still looks good, never sees sunlight, and the artist was fantastic! :D

kabowman Explorer
kabowman
Posted

I love mine (3) and just had a large tribal with feathers done on my hip (I am done with kids). My next will be on my lower back and I think I have gotten my husband of 5 years finally interested in getting his own.

Lollie Enthusiast
Lollie
Posted

I love mine! I got it over 10 years ago but it still looks great! I have a birth mark on my hip. So I had a sunflower designed, that used the birth mark as it's center! I love it still! I'm considering getting another on the small of my back to represent life and as an honor to my dad that died last Sept.....

Good luck all!

Lollie

lorka150 Collaborator
lorka150
Posted

funny that this came up. i have wanted a tattoo for awhile, and after loving one design for awhile now, i am set on my decision. i was going to look into the gluten-thing, but i'm glad it will be safe.

yay!

Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

the one that I want to get in the small of my back is the symbol of the "healing hand" which is a hand with a swirl in the middle, surrounded by a tribal sun design... now I just have to come up with the money!

gabrielle Contributor
gabrielle
Posted

I have a Celtic cross on the small of my back- I like it, but I got it when I was 18 and trying to rebel...ChelsE is right, make sure you really like what you are putting on yourself since it will be there forever!!

ChelsE I wanted to ask you a question... my boyfriend has a tattoo and sometimes it gets raised/ puffy and itchy. He's had it for like 6 years- isn't that kind of odd??? Hmm... I thought maybe because you had so much info about tattoos you might know why this happens. :blink: Thanks!!

lorka150 Collaborator
lorka150
Posted
the one that I want to get in the small of my back is the symbol of the "healing hand" which is a hand with a swirl in the middle, surrounded by a tribal sun design... now I just have to come up with the money!

do you have a picture? i would love to see your idea :)

rlemmon Apprentice
rlemmon
Posted
  • Author

Wow, Thanks so much for the info guys. Now all I have to do is bite the bullit B)

cgilsing Enthusiast
cgilsing
Posted

I have one, that I've had for about 7 years. It looks great! But sometimes, especially right after I shower, it gets a little puffed up and itches! Does anybody else have that happen? It seems to go away right away and has never caused any problems (and I have sensitive skin so I always attributed it to that), but it just seems unusal. Especially for a tatoo that I've had for 7 years!!

whitball Explorer
whitball
Posted
I am thinking abnout getting one. Anyone know if the is gluten in the ink ? I googled it but nothing came up.

thanks

Well, I didn't even consider that the ink would be gluten free or not. But I did get one 2 weeks ago. I'm 45 and my 18 year old son asked if we could get one together. Awesome bonding for us. It hurt a bit, but well worth it. Go for it!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,300
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Liss28
    Newest Member
    Liss28
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Finding gluten free ingredients

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I completely understand the frustration of finding reliable gluten-free ingredients—it's exhausting when trusted products disappear or companies don't respond to safety inquiries. For teff flour in bulk, check out Azure Standard or Bulk Foods; both often carry gluten-free grains in larger quantities and clearly label dedicated facilities. For soy flour, Anthony's Goods tests for gluten and offers bulk options, though always verify their current certifications. For beans, peas, and lentils, Palouse Brand is a great choice—they're GFCO-certified and transparent about their farming practices. As for lentil elbow macaroni, Explore Cuisine offers similar pastas, though cross-contact policies vary. When companies don't respond, I lean on third-party certifications (GFCO, NSF) or stick with brands like Jovial or Edward & Sons that prioritize allergen safety. It's a constant hunt, but hopefully these leads help! Have you tried local co-ops or ethnic markets for teff? Sometimes they stock bulk African or Indian brands with clear labeling.
    • Scott Adams
      beans in dessert recipes

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Beans in desserts are a fantastic way to add moisture, structure, and protein while keeping recipes gluten-free. Black bean brownies are a classic, but other beans like adzuki and pinto can also work well—adzuki beans are naturally sweet and often used in Asian desserts, making them great for cookies or cakes. Lentils, especially red lentils, blend smoothly into batters and can replace flour in recipes like blondies or muffins. Since you’re allergic to chickpeas, you might try navy beans or cannellini beans for a milder flavor in vanilla-based desserts. For less crumbliness, blending cooked beans into a paste helps bind the dough, and adding a bit of xanthan gum (if tolerated) can improve texture. If you’re experimenting, start with recipes that replace half the flour with bean purée before going fully flourless. Have you tried using aquafaba (bean liquid) as an egg substitute? It works wonders in gluten-free baking too!
    • lmemsm
      Ocd making gluten fears unmanageable. Need advice

      By lmemsm · Posted

      This may make you feel better about cross-contamination: https://nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/do-i-need-new-designated-pans-plates-and-utensils/ https://theceliacscene.com/rethinking-cross-contamination-no-need-to-be-so-careful/ I use Tom's of Maine or a toothpaste that states it's gluten free.  I have allergic reactions to some toothpastes so some of the toothpastes in health food stores are usually safer for me. They're typically gluten free as well. Spices can contain cross-contamination from gluten.  There are a few lists online of spices that are safe for celiacs.  I also grow my own herbs and use them in place of store bought when I can.  I think Badia lists their spices as gluten free and Spice Lab has some gluten free too. Knitty Kitty has a great point about nutritional deficiencies and B vitamins.  I got a lot of aches and pains when I got off gluten.  I tried to replace wheat with other healthy grains like teff, buckwheat and sorghum.  Limiting one's diet too much and not getting enough vitamins, can make someone feel worse.  A lot of the gluten free foods in the stores are made with lower quality ingredients than the wheat varieties.  I try to replace all my foods with homemade options.  Then I know the quality of the ingredients and which vitamins I may be high or low in.  Probiotics or prebiotics can help with bathroom issues.  Better to get them in foods if possible and not pill form.  My doctors keep recommending magnesium too.  It's not supposed to be taken alone, but they don't seem to care about that.  It's easy for vitamin D to be low too.  That was another thing doctors told me to take.  Unfortunately, they didn't monitor it and it went too high.  Again, better from natural sources like food and sunlight.  However, supplementing can help if you're not getting enough.  Some sources say to take D with K2.  You may want to have iodine levels checked.  If you add iodine, make sure to get sufficient selenium for thyroid.  You can get iodine naturally in most seaweed.  Nori may also be one of the few non-animal sources for B12.  Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium and you only need a few a day to meet RDA.  Some brands of nuts specifically say gluten free.  Unfortunately, there are issues with Brazil nut production and they're much harder to find this year. The more you can vary your diet the better.  One study said aim for at least 30 different foods in a week.  You might want to try kiwi fruit.  There were some studies that said eating kiwi improved mood.  It also has a covering which most people don't eat, so that should protect what's inside from contamination. I've limited my diet quite a bit over the years because of migraines, so I know how uncomfortable it can be finding safe foods.  However, I'm afraid limiting diets like that may actually be causing more harm than good.  It's something I'm trying to work on.  I keep trying to expand the number of foods I eat and my recipe repertoire.  I made a list of brands of foods that I've found that are gluten free so I have a guide when I'm shopping.  
    • knitty kitty
      Ocd making gluten fears unmanageable. Need advice

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Dora77, I agree with you that your doctors aren't very knowledgeable about Celiac Disease.  My doctors didn't recognize nutritional deficiencies either.  I became very deficient in vitamins before I was diagnosed, so having experienced similar, I understand what a difficult time you're having.   Poor absorption of essential nutrients is caused by the damage done to the intestines by Celiac Disease.  The gluten free diet can be low in essential nutrients, so supplementing to boost your absorption is beneficial.  New symptoms can develop or worsen as one becomes more and more deficient.   There's eight essential B vitamins that our bodies cannot make, so they must come from our food and supplements.  These eight B vitamins work together, like instruments in an orchestra.  They need to be supplemented together with essential minerals like magnesium.   Deficiencies in the B vitamins can have overlapping symptoms.  Some symptoms can be traced to specific B vitamins.  OCD can be traced to low Pyridoxine Vitamin B 6.  Yes, I had OCD and washed my hands until my skin cracked and bled.  ADHD symptoms can be traced to low Thiamine Vitamin B 1.  ADHD is something one is born with.  People who are born with ADHD have a metabolic problem with getting sufficient thiamine into their brain cells.  People who develop symptoms of ADHD later in life are more likely to be low in Thiamine.  The same symptoms appear if one is not getting sufficient thiamine from the diet.  Yes, I developed symptoms of ADHD.  These symptoms improved and disappeared after supplementing with Thiamine and the other essential nutrients. I was diagnosed with Type Two Diabetes.  99% of diabetics of both types are deficient in Thiamine because our kidneys don't re-absorb thiamine properly.  Thiamine is needed to make insulin and digestive enzymes in the pancreas.  Poor digestion (floating, undigested stools) can result with insufficient pancreatic enzymes.  The gall bladder (upper right quadrant) needs thiamine to make and release bile which also helps with digestion.  Constipation is also a symptom of Thiamine and magnesium deficiencies.  The thyroid is another organ that uses lots of Thiamine, too.  Low thyroid hormones can be due to insufficient thiamine, selenium, iron, and iodine.  Swelling of hands, face and feet are also symptoms of thiamine insufficiency.   Our bodies use thiamine to make energy so organs and tissues can function.  Thiamine cannot be stored longer than three weeks.  If our stores are not replenished every day, we can run out of Thiamine quickly.  If we do get some thiamine from our diet, symptoms can wax and wane mysteriously, because a twenty percent increase in dietary thiamine causes an eighty percent improvement in brain function and symptoms.  Thiamine interacts with all the other vitamins in some way.  Many other vitamins and their metabolic processes won't work without thiamine.  In Celiac Disease you are apt to be low in all the essential nutrients, not just thiamine, but thiamine deficiency symptoms may appear first. Talk to your dietician about eating a nutritionally dense gluten free diet.  Keep in mind that processed gluten free foods do not contain sufficient vitamins to be useful.  Processed gluten free foods are filled with saturated fats and excess fiber (that could explain your constipation).  Dairy products, milk and cheese can cause problems because Casein, the protein in dairy, causes the same autoimmune reaction that gluten does in some.  Your current restricted diet is dangerous to your health.  I followed the Autoimmune Protocol Diet (Dr. Sarah Ballantyne).  It's a Paleo diet that promotes intestinal healing.   Discuss with your doctors about correcting nutritional deficiencies as soon as possible.   Interesting reading... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34165060/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21816221/#:~:text=Lipid-soluble thiamin precursors can,and attention deficit%2Fhyperactivity disorder.
    • max it
      Hi Ya All, Dr. just. Told me I have one celiac marker. I have been taking multiple blood test for thin Dr for years. Why couldn’t he have mentioned this! Anyway my functional med practitioner

      By max it · Posted

      I'll get to it. TY
×
×
  • Create New...