Frequently Asked Questions

Tattoo guns create thousands of puncture wounds in the skin to inject tattoo pigment and form the tattoo. The ink particles are effectively trapped by a network of connective tissue in a type of cell called a Fibroblast. This is the connective tissue that produces fibers such as collagen. A prominent network of connective tissue surrounds each of the fibroblasts containing ink particles, effectively entrapping & immobilizing any cell. FLUX works by softening and instantly treating this cellular tissue and allowing instant lipid replacement. This entire process causes damage to the epidermis and the dermis and they become blended together as a result of the mutilated layer that usually separates the two. The body responds by bleeding at the surface of the skin as a result of the severed capillaries. The immune system responds by swelling to shut down the blood flow. The immune response cells then begin cleaning up by sending the ink through the lymph node nearest the tattoo site. PURGE works to eliminate all lymph and seepage from area, FLUX helps to lock in inks and to accelerate the healing in these layers immediately.

Ink particles are moved into the deeper dermis over time due to the actions of mobile phagocytic cells (think immune cells) causing the ink to look bluish, faded, and blurry. Examination of 40+ year old tattoos shows that the ink is in the deep dermis and also found in local lymph nodes. With the presence of larger than normal amounts of migrating phagocytic cells, the chances of ink movement increases, thus accelerating the fading of the tattoo. Some colors disappear completely with time: White, yellow, red, and flesh tones. Continued use Tattoo Defender will help to preserve colors and reduce overall fading.

If your tattoo artist does not carry FLUX, you can purchase directly from this website. It is crucial to utilize the product while tattooing, so have your tattoo artist use in place of Vaseline or other petroleum-based products for best results.

The Tattoo Inkguard product line is designed to bring out the best colors and definition in your tattoo, from the moment the tattoo is applied throughout the lifetime of the tattoo. There are several ways that the products accomplish this, each one focusing on a different element of protection and enhancement. PURGE- Removes all bacteria and lymph to eliminate risk of infection. FLUX- Instantly begins healing process and lock in colors of new tattoo. ENHANCER- Protects and enhances tattoo throughout lifetime. DEFENDER – Sun Protection formulated specifically to protect embedded ink pigments.

Apply FLUX during tattooing I place of petroleum based products to instantly begin healing and pain and inflammation reduction. Wrap finished tattoo after applying a light layer of FLUX post tattooing. Remove bandage after two hours maximum and wash tattoo area with PURGE. Let dry and reapply FLUX lightly. Reapply daily until tattoo is completely healed, usually within five to seven days.

FLUX is a medical-grade product that ensures the fastest healing and improved clarity and definition in the final tattoo. By using the FLUX in place of petroleum based products during tattooing, the skin is softened allowing the artist better precision while shading and drawing. Inks are able to better penetrate the skin resulting in better precision of lines and colors. Combined with the instant advanced healing properties in the FLUX, this results in five to seven day healing, better colors and higher visual definition of the final finished tattoo.

The tattooing process causes damage to the epidermis, epidermal-dermal junction, and the papillary layer (topmost layer) of the dermis. The layers are homogenized (mush-like) right after the tattooing process. FLUX works to instantly begin to heal these layers. One of the first responses of the body to tattooing is to stop the bleeding caused by broken capillaries that are leaking to the surface of the skin. The deep penetrating effects of the FLUX feeds the skin and aids in new cell development that helps to hasten the healing process. After continued use of FLUX, tissue reforms around the tattoo pigment in the form of a re-vitalized epidermis, a strengthened epidermal-dermal junction, and ink is trapped in dermal fibroblasts at higher levels than with use of petroleum.

Scientific studies verify that Emu Oil has unique healing properties. Emu Oil is highly moisturizing, a natural skin softener and has rejuvenating properties. It has been shown to reduce the healing time of new tattoos and piercings. Emu oil is non greasy and is highly penetrating. In fact, Emu Oil has been demonstrated to be the fastest and most penetrating oil, making it an excellent trans-dermal carrier for other added moisturizers and therapeutic ingredients. Emu Oil is an effective anti-inflammatory. The potency of the anti-inflammatory effect from Emu Oil is similar to ibuprofen without the negative side-effects frequently common with traditional prescription or corticosteroid-based anti-inflammatory medications. This helps to reduce pain during tattooing.

Ceramides are a family of lipid molecules. A ceramide is composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid. Ceramides are found in high concentrations within the cell membrane of cells. They are one of the component lipids that make up sphingomyelin, one of the major lipids in the lipid bilayer. Ceramides are one of three types of lipids, or fats, that help keep moisture in the skin. Ceramide-containing moisturizers contain the same balance of lipids as your skin. This works to instantly replace essential lipids to your skin and begin the healing process.

Sphingolipids are fundamental to the structures of cell membranes, lipoproteins, and the stratum cornea of the skin. Many complex sphingolipids as well as simpler sphingoid bases and derivatives are highly bioactive as extra- and intracellular regulators of growth, differentiation, migration, survival, senescence, and numerous cellular responses to stress.

Repairing and maintaining cell membranes with sphingolipids enables the body to utilize food and oxygen to the maximum and increase elimination. The flow of nutrients and everything else that moves in and out of the cells becomes easier as the membrane becomes healthier and more efficient, speeding up the healing process considerably.

Petroleum based products do not allow the skin to breathe and also repels tattoo inks not allowing for a natural absorption into the epidermal layers. In addition, there are no healing agents allowing skin to begin healing instantly in petroleum based ointments.

The combination of healing and skin softening ingredients in the FLUX work together to accelerate healing and enable easier needle glide and ink penetration, the combination of which results in a better definition and clarity in the final tattoo. The lipid replacement ingredients (ceramide 3, sphingolipids) help to instantly help to heal damaged skin on a cellular level while being tattooed.

The unique moisturizing and softening of the epidermal layers of the skin that occurs with FLUX enables the pigments to become better embedded into the skin during the tattooing process. In contrast to petroleum, inks are better absorbed into the epidermal layers.

The FLUX is a medical-grade formula designed especially for the specific needs of tattooing. A formula that can replace petroleum-based products in the most critical period of getting a tattoo, when it is initially applied. The tattoo artist now has the ability to create a higher standard to work with the ease of movement in the tattoo needle, the inks being embedded better in the skin and the accelerated healing. For the customer, there is less pain and inflammation while being tattooed and infections, scabbing, weeping and other complications are reduced tremendously.

FLUX has been rigorously tested and formulated to considerably reduce complications such as itching, infection and weeping. FLUX contains no lanolin or parabens, which allergy-prone individuals have been known to have a reaction against.

During sun exposure many cells undergo apoptosis (a type of cell death where cells break apart into many small fragments).Other cells migrate into the dermis and minor inflammatory reactions occur. The inflammatory reaction is not restricted to the epidermis, but also involves the dermis. Tattoo Defender is designed to protect the embedded ink pigments from apoptosis caused by sun exposure.