The Danger of WHITE Pigment in Permanent Makeup Inks

4 min read

An attempt to cover eyeliner PMU with white pigment

Titanium Dioxide in Permanent Makeup Pigments

White color in permanent makeup inks is created using titanium dioxide (TiO₂).

Titanium dioxide is an inorganic pigment widely used in various types of paints, including pigments for permanent makeup.

Chemical formula: TiO₂
Color Index (CI): 77891
Pigment type: Inorganic, mineral
Stability: Extremely high, with minimal color change over time.

How WHITE Pigment TiO₂ Differs from Other Pigments

Titanium dioxide has relatively low dispersion, meaning its particle size is larger compared to other pigments.

Pigment Type	Particle Size
Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂)	200–300 nm
Organic Pigments (Azo, D&C, Lakes)	50–150 nm
Iron Oxides (Fe₂O₃, FeO, Fe₃O₄)	100–200 nm
Carbon Black (CI 77266)	30–100 nm

Due to its larger particle size, titanium dioxide:

✔ Provides excellent coverage

✔ Remains in the skin for a long time and fades very slowly

The Role of Titanium Dioxide in Permanent Makeup Inks

Titanium dioxide is an essential pigment in PMU ink production. It is found in most lip pigments and some eyebrow pigments.

It serves two key functions:

1. Improving Ink Consistency and Texture

✅ Thickening – TiO₂ increases the viscosity of the ink, making it less runny, which simplifies application.

✅ Reducing diffusion (spread in the skin) – Due to its larger particle size, TiO₂ minimizes pigment migration, ensuring that the tattoo retains sharp, clear lines for a longer time.

✅ Preventing ink separation – The high density of TiO₂ helps stabilize the pigment suspension, preventing components from separating inside the bottle.

2. Color Correction

✅ Lightens, softens, and enhances the vibrancy of earthy shades in inorganic iron oxide pigments.

✅ Reduces transparency in organic dyes, making them denser and more opaque.

✅ Improves color longevity, preventing rapid fading.

Titanium Dioxide in Camouflage and Decorative Effects

In pigments used for skin tone correction and decorative effects (e.g., highlighting), white titanium dioxide makes up over 90% of the formula.

Because of its unique properties, working with these inks requires a different approach.

🔹 During application, light-colored pigments often appear less visible in the skin, creating an illusion of insufficient pigment saturation.

🔹 This visual misperception leads many artists to either:

Overload the skin with too much pigment, or
Implant the pigment too deep.

🔹 After healing, these mistakes become obvious:

The pigment appears too dense or patchy.
It may develop an unwanted grayish tint.

An example of using camouflage pigments to recreate the appearance of the breast areola.

Excellent scar camouflage results using titanium dioxide-based camouflage pigments.

How to Work Properly with Titanium Dioxide in PMU

Titanium dioxide-based pigments are typically very dense and thick. To ensure proper application and prevent undesired effects, follow these key recommendations:

🔹 Dilution is essential – These inks must be thinned with a specialized diluent or even water to reduce concentration, with a minimum dilution ratio of 1:1.

🔹 Slow but light application – Work gently and superficially to prevent the pigment from embedding too deeply, which can cause a grayish appearance after healing.

🔹 Count the passes carefully – Since titanium dioxide offers limited visual feedback during application, strictly follow your procedure and do not exceed the planned number of passes, even if the pigment appears insufficient in the skin.

Pros and Cons of White Titanium Dioxide in PMU

✅ Advantages:

✔ Color stability – Does not change under sunlight or oxidation.

✔ Hypoallergenic – Safe for the skin and widely used in cosmetics.

✔ Long-lasting in the skin – Due to its large particle size and dense structure, TiO₂ breaks down very slowly in the body, making it one of the most durable pigments. This is particularly beneficial for camouflage techniques, though it can be a disadvantage in other cases.

❌ Disadvantages:

🔹 If too much white pigment is present in a formula (especially in lip pigments), it may remain in the skin even after other pigments fade. This can leave the lips looking pale or depigmented over time. However, residual titanium dioxide does not interfere with future PMU procedures.

❗ Extremely difficult to remove with a laser ❗Chemical removers (PMU removers) may also be ineffective in some cases.

In the top photo, the whitish residue from the previous lip PMU is clearly visible almost five years later. In the bottom photo, the newly healed lip PMU is shown, with the previous white residue having no negative impact on the final result. — In the top photo, the whitish residue from the previous lip PMU is clearly visible almost **five years later**. In the bottom photo, the **newly healed lip PMU** is shown, with the previous white residue **having no negative impact on the final result**.

An example of how, after the complete laser removal of black eyeliner (4 sessions), the white pigment remained almost unchanged. — An example of how, after the complete laser removal of black eyeliner (**4 sessions**), the white pigment remained **almost unchanged**.

Conclusion

Titanium dioxide is a key component in permanent makeup pigments. It provides high coverage, enhances shades, and stabilizes ink consistency. However, PMU artists must be aware of its specific properties: it requires precise implantation techniques, tends to accumulate in the skin, and can be difficult to remove with a laser.

With proper use, this pigment allows for high-quality and predictable results in permanent makeup procedures.