Which Airbrush Tattoo Paint Should I Choose - Airbrush Guru

Which Airbrush Tattoo Paint Should I Choose

Choose an airbrush tattoo paint that is

  • airbrush ready,
  • alcohol based, and
  • FDA approved.

Airbrush Ready

When choosing paint for your airbrush tattoo kit, always choose airbrush ready paints. Airbrush Ready paints are very thin and the pigment (colored dirt) is finely ground up.

  • Thin paints flow easily through airbrushes.
  • Finely ground up pigments help cut down on clogging issues.

Alcohol Based

Alcohol based paint wears better than water based paint.  We can’t sweat or wash off the paint because our bodies are not alcohol based, despite many bartender’s opinions otherwise.

Remove alcohol based paint with, you guessed it, alcohol.  I love recommending vodka as a cleaning agent.  However, most people choose isopropyl (by most people, I mean everyone) because it’s got enough alcohol to clean the paint, but not anything worth putting to other ‘medicinal’ uses…

Yeah, medicinal uses.  I like that.

Can I Use Water Based Airbrush Tattoo Paint?

Theoretically, yes. However, water-based airbrush tattoo paint doesn’t exist.

The Good

  • Water based paint washes off in the shower without the use of alcohol.
  • Water treats your skin better. Alcohol dries the skin out by stripping it of its essential oils.

The Bad

  • Water-based paint sweats off. Almost any activity on the model’s part will cause the tattoo to bead and run.
  • The lifespan of a water-based airbrush tattoo ranges from a few minutes up to an hour or two. Compare that to the lifespan of an alcohol-based temporary tattoo which ranges from five to ten days.
  • Water-based airbrush tattoo paint doesn’t exist as far as I know.

The Guru’s Opinion

You probably shouldn’t use water-based tattoos on customers. Most customers expect something slightly more permanent airbrush tattoo.

If you’re still set on using water-based paint for your application, go get em.

Only use FDA Approved body paint. Try looking for water-based special effects makeup since water-based tattoo paint doesn’t exist.

If you have a great use and find a great paint let me know. I love hearing about new uses.

FDA Approved and Hypoallergenic

Using FDA Approved products means that you look out for your customers’ best interests.

The FDA likes products that are hypoallergenic.  Hypoallergenic simply means the product doesn’t cause very many allergic reactions. That’s a very good thing.