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Writer's picturePriscila Iwama

Can I mix inks and diluents from different brands?


Today’s conversation topic is diluent!

Have you ever used it? What is it for?

The use of diluent is very common and mostly used for tattooing. Tattoo artists tend to frequently use it to create subtle gradations of the original color being applied to the client’s tattoo.


You may be thinking, “But, Pri, aren’t there specific needles and techniques used for shading?”


The answer is Yes! However, artists also use a diluent, as adding a diluent to the ink results in different shades of the same color.


When it comes to micropigmentation, the use of a diluent is more common in lip shading, or to hide scars and vitiligo. The goal is to make the ink runnier and decrease the chances of unwanted smudges.


Another frequent question is if there is any rule regarding mixing inks and diluents from different brands.

The first thing to know is that a diluent is nothing more than the ink without the pigment (the colored compound).


A few diluents have a higher viscosity; others are more liquid. Every company develops a diluent that matches its own ink.


Therefore, it is highly recommended that you use diluents and inks from the same brand. By doing so, you will ensure that your mixture stays suspended and properly diluted, preventing the pigment from separating from the dilution liquid while you work.


But, as the purpose of my blog goes beyond education, I’m writing to share my experience with you, and I must say that based on all my years of study and thousands of procedures performed, THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC RULES FOR IT.




I have performed procedures in the past, mixing inks and diluents from different brands, and the final result did not display any changes.


The level of quality of your work or even the number of “incidents” you have are much more related to your technique and how you perform the procedure than to mixing inks and diluents from different brands.

Did you like this post? Do you have any questions?

Leave your comment down below!

Love,

Priscila Iwama.


To learn more about the procedures done through my Iwama Sensitive Technique Click here.

To learn more about the microblading and dermopigmentation courses based on my Iwama Sensitive Technique Click here.

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