When a tattoo machine is used without ink, the resulting mark on the client is known as an inkless tattoo. Depending on how the inkless tattoo is cared for, it will turn into a subtle scar which will disappear entirely in a year or so. There are numerous reasons to choose to get inkless tattoos, and numerous tattoo shops offer them, although they may not advertise the service.

A tattoo machine uses a vibrating motor to push needles into the skin thousands of times a minute. When the needles are dipped in ink, the result is a tattoo. When the needles are run “dry,” they create a wound which is essentially a series of puncture marks. In the case of an inkless tattoo, the artist runs over the design several times to ensure even coverage, and the client is given specific aftercare instructions, depending on how he or she wants the inkless tattoo to turn out.

The process of getting an inkless tattoo is similar to that involved in getting a tattoo with ink. The client will still experience the pain and subsequent endorphin release involved in tattooing, and he or she will be left with a mark which has personal meaning. Sterile tools are used at all times in professional shops, to ensure that the inkless tattoo does not become infected. Getting an inkless tattoo can be more painful since without the ink, the tattoo needle is not lubricated.

When people get tattoos with ink, they are given aftercare instructions which encourage quick, smooth healing, and these instructions are designed to prevent scarring, as a scar can disfigure a tattoo. In the case of an inkless tattoo, clients are told to abuse the tattoo, picking at the scab which will form and allowing it to dry out to encourage the formation of a scar. Within a few weeks, the inkless tattoo will have created a distinctive scar which fades in under a year, most typically.

For people who want the experience of a tattoo without the permanence, an inkless tattoo is an excellent option. Inkless tattoos are also easy to conceal, because they are less bold than tattoos produced in ink, which is a concern for people in some industries. Some people also enjoy the process of fading and healing; for example, an inkless tattoo may commemorate a death or major life event, with the fading of the tattoo signaling a transition for the client.

Not all tattoo artists will perform inkless tattoos, and all tattoo artists are not created equal. If you are interested in getting an inkless tattoo, you may want to ask around among friendly tattoo shops who can recommend a shop if they don't perform the service. You may also hear an inkless tattoo called a “body etching,” so you may want to ask under both names. When you find an artist or shop who offers body etching, ask to see portfolios, and think about the kind of design you might want; generally a bold, blocky design is best, as subtle details will not be preserved in an inkless tattoo.