Color Theory Basic Vocabulary For Beginners

• In PMU, inks refer to the mixture used for implanting color into the skin.
• They are a combination of pigments, dyes, and a carrier solution that ensures the color can be applied smoothly.
• The carrier solution often contains substances like glycerin, alcohol, or distilled water.

• Dyes are usually organic compounds that are soluble in the carrier liquid.
• They can provide a range of colors but may not always be stable over long periods, which can lead to fading or color changes in the skin over time.
• Dyes are less commonly used in PMU inks because they are not always approved for cosmetic use due to safety concerns.

• Pigments are insoluble colorants that are suspended in the carrier liquid.
• They are the primary source of color in PMU inks and tattoos, providing a stable and lasting color.
• Pigments are generally preferred over dyes for their longevity and stability.

Particle: 

• An entity characterized by specific chemical and physical attributes such as volume, density, and mass.

Aggregates:

• Structures formed by the union of multiple particles through electrostatic forces, creating larger complexes.

Agglomerates:

• Composites of particles and aggregates bonded by electrostatic interactions.

Dye:

• A coloring agent, either organic or inorganic, that saturates a material and imparts color to its entire mass. Dyes are soluble in their mediums, contrasting with the insolubility of pigments.

Cosmetic Bases:

• These are the carriers and additives in tattoo and PMU inks, such as water, alcohol, glycerin, isopropyl alcohol, hyaluronic acid, and witch hazel extract.

COLOR INDEX (CI)

A standardized nomenclature for dyes and pigments maintained online. Each dye or pigment is given a unique five-digit CI number, which is indicated on product labels.

COLORANTS: ORGANIC AND INORGANIC

The collective term for both dyes and pigments, classified as colorants to systematize substances by numerical value.

Classification:

• Organic colorants: CI numbers from 11000 to 74999.
• Inorganic colorants: CI numbers from 77000 to 77999.