Is India ink safe for tattooing?

India ink is chemically safe for tattoos, but the process of creating a homemade tattoo can be dangerous. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, no matter what type of ink is used, only licensed professionals should be permitted to do tattoos.

India ink is created when ash from burned wood or bone is crushed into a fine powder and mixed with either water or alcohol. The availability of ingredients makes India ink popular for do-it-yourself tattoos, but tattoo experts warn that these types of tattoos have a much higher risk of infection due to the lack of training and sterile conditions.