Eye tattoos

Eye tattoos are a niche in the beauty industry, and it's still uncommon to see them, even among tattoo enthusiasts. Where did eye tattoos get their start, and why would someone be interested? Do they hurt? And will your mom be disappointed if you ink your eyes like this? We look at this decision and help you understand whether putting your eyes under the needle for permanent alteration makes sense.

What are eye tattoos?

Eye tattoos are just what they sound like. A tattoo artist applies ink to the whites of your eyes with a tattoo gun to leave permanent coloration. Most of the time, the preferred look is solid black for the (former) whites of the eyes, but creative designs are also an option.

Some people seem to like the dark, menacing appearance that a solid black orb effect gives the eyes, while others are willing to pay a premium to get little unicorns and shamrocks next to their irises. The eyes are an important part of how people communicate with each other, so even a tiny alteration can dramatically change the way social interactions go.

Tattoos go way back in human history. Otzi, an iceman found frozen in the Alps, has multiple tattoos all over his body, often in places where he had arthritis of the joints, suggesting this was a folk remedy. As old as tattooing is, eye tattoos have only been around for a few decades. 

Safety concerns and risks

It's not possible to poke at your eyes with anything sharp and not have at least some safety concerns. Of course, any real tattoo shop will use sterile needles, gloves, medically approved inks, and so on to minimize the risk of spreading life-threatening infections. However, you can still get post-procedure infections because the needle punctures damage your eyes' protective outer layer, allowing environmental bacteria a chance to get in. Yikes.

Surprisingly, this is less of a concern for the eyes than other areas of the body. The lacrimal gland that sits above each eye continuously secretes a thin, clear mucus that works across the surface to lubricate and protect. These tears form a protective barrier against tiny germs landing on the exposed eye surface, and the proteins inside the fluid tend to kill off fungal spores and more.

That said, it's always possible to damage the delicate sclera or whites of the eyes, even with a well-regulated procedure. When the process doesn't go perfectly, things can get dicey. A tattoo artist's fingers might slip, for example, driving the needles into the iris, cornea, or even into the lens of the eye, permanently marking the parts you're supposed to be able to see through. Poor hygiene and less than 100% qualified artists can also cause complications for people.

Legal and ethical considerations

The legal implications of getting eye tattoos are about the same as they would be for tattoos in most places. As long as the person getting this done is over 18 or 21 in some states, the only legal barrier is the status of the person doing the work. If the person with the ink is a licensed tattoo artist, working in an approved venue, using proper hygiene procedures, and complying with state laws regulating the business, nothing strictly illegal is happening. The law doesn't distinguish between getting "Mom" tattooed on your chest and turning your eyes permanently spooky black.

However, some jurisdictions have passed laws banning this procedure. Legislators in the U.S. states of Oklahoma, Indiana, and Washington, along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan, have passed laws against eye tattoos in the wake of several high-profile cases where things went very wrong. People living in these areas are, of course, still free to take a road trip to nearby places that allow eye tattoos, but the trend is toward expanding the bans on getting tattoos within one inch of the eye sockets. 

What about eye piercing?

Speaking of needles that are too close to your eyes, some people go for eye piercing instead of (or in addition to) eye tattoos. This is safer because the piercing needle isn't going into the eye. Instead, most eye piercings aim for the epicanthic fold over the eye or a little pinch of skin on the eyebrows. 

Eye piercing procedure

If you’ve had your ears pierced, you’re probably familiar with a piercing gun. This fast, nearly painless little tool swiftly drives a sharp stud through an earlobe in a split second. This method doesn’t work when it comes to piercing the areas around your eyes because there's much less room to position the gun, and piercing guns can't be properly sterilized. Instead, a typical eye piercing uses a hollow needle that can be pushed through a flap of skin and have the jewelry drawn through afterward. Are you cringing yet? This is much less painful than it sounds because the skin in these areas is thin on nerve endings, especially for pain receptors.

Common risks of both eye tattoos and eye piercing

The risks associated with eye piercing and eye tattooing are what you'd expect from eye-related needle stuff. Apart from a slipped insertion, the major risks are infection and scarring. Infection risk can largely be avoided by going with a professional who knows what they’re doing, ensuring the tools and procedure areas are sterile, and listening closely to the aftercare instructions.

While the areas being pierced are supposed to be swabbed with a sterilizing agent, they don't stay sterile forever, and it's up to you to keep the area clean. At least twice daily, gently move the piercing to one side and dab the wound with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to kill germs. Keep this up for a week, and wait to remove the piercing stud until the area heals.

There isn't any sterilizing aftercare you can do with eye tattoos. Use drops to keep everything moist, avoid dusty areas and places with grit in the air, and try to take it easy until you feel back up to speed after the procedure. 

Safety considerations and alternatives

Safety will always be a concern when you get work done on or near your eyes. Almost every part of the eye is delicate and easily damaged, which could cause painful and even permanent injury. If you're serious about getting cosmetic modifications to your eyes, it's important to follow all safety and legal standards and the aftercare instructions you're given to ensure the recovery goes well.

The importance of professional expertise

No matter what you're doing, always seek out trained and licensed artists for any work you're having done. Check to see that they have a current license. Read through BBB complaints, if any, that they haven't resolved, and generally think this through carefully before going under the needle. If anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to check with an eye care professional, and be prepared to be honest about how you got hurt.

When you arrive for the appointment, consider whether you want to go through with the procedure. Several red flags at the studio should alert you to less-than-ideal conditions, any one of which is a valid reason to cancel and find a place you feel more comfortable. Warning signs you might want to go somewhere else for this challenging procedure include:

• The work is done in a private home, third location, or anywhere outside a proper studio.
• The studio is dirty, disorganized, or in a state of disrepair.
• Equipment is missing, broken, or dirty.
• Hygienic supplies are not present or not being used, such as gloves, eye protection, masks, and sterilizing agents.
• The environment is noisy, chaotic, or crowded, which could distract the artist.
• The person doing the work is unlicensed, untrained, or unprofessional or seems. . . "off."

Alternatives to eye tattoos and piercings

Eye tattoos aren't for everybody, and it's okay to look into getting them and decide you'd like to try something else. Makeup and less-permanent accessories are one way you could go. Colored or novelty contacts may give you a look you're interested in but still let you take them out when all-black eyes are not the tone you're trying to set. Stick-on decals come in a variety of designs, from simple pictures and geometric shapes to costume jewelry you can glue onto the eyelids and areas around the eyes, which are yet another temporary and reversible option that may suit you better than permanent ink tattoos or equally permanent piercing work close to your eyes.

Are eye tattoos right for you?

No matter how exotic the body modification is, somebody is guaranteed to try it. Eye tattoos are potentially very dangerous, even when done by professionals. They're also quite shocking-looking. If you're considering getting any modification done, consult an eye care professional beforehand and have them perform an eye exam.

 

FAQs

Are eye tattoos and eye piercings legal?

Eye tattoos and piercings are generally legal for adults, with some restrictions. In some places, they're outright banned by name, while other jurisdictions prohibit tattoos and/or piercings within one inch of the eye. That rule has been interpreted in various ways from place to place, so always check your local laws.

Can eye tattoos or eye piercings cause blindness?

Eye tattoos can cause blindness if you develop serious complications. The membrane of the sclera is only one millimeter thick, so perforation and retinal detachment are real risks. Getting an infection can also cause partial or total vision loss, which may be permanent.

How long does an eye tattoo last?

Like any tattoos, tattoos on your eyes are permanent. Unlike skin tattoos, there aren't any good options for later removal if you change your mind.